This course provides an introduction and practical experience of the agents and processes of the physical, chemical and biological deterioration of organic materials and the preventive conservation strategies devised for these artefacts. This knowledge will help students to identify how and why organic materials deteriorate, and to contribute to decisions regarding the selection, implementation and evaluation of appropriate preventive measures.

2 hours per week (lecture/ seminar) for 10 weeks, plus one 1 hour tutorial, one external visit (4 hours) and one practical class (2 hours).

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Long Answer Questions (3000 words) - 60%

■ Group Presentation (15 minutes) - 20%

■ Critical Evaluation (1000 words) - 20%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the long answer questions, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ A recorded presentation OR 1-to-1 presentation OR a PowerPoint with substantial notes as alternative to the oral presentation.

■ There is no alternative to the critical evaluation, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Introduce the student to the concept of preventive conservation and the relationship of objects to both their physical and social environments.

■ Introduce the student to agents and processes of the physical, biological and chemical deterioration of organic materials.

■ Introduce the student to the concept of sustainable heritage and its implications.

■ Enable the student to evaluate a range of approaches to the management of the museum environment, including control methods, risk management and emergency planning.

■ Provide the student with practical experience of environmental monitoring over a period of time and of assessing the results.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain and apply concepts of preventive conservation.

■ Critically evaluate preventive conservation options reflecting the current context of the heritage sector

■ Assess and select effective preventive conservation measures for the storage and display of artefacts.

■ Communicate preventive conservation issues effectively using appropriate terminology.