Masters Degrees (Contamination)

Why take this course?

The UK has a significant legacy of contaminants as a consequence of a long history of industrial activity. These pollutants can pose a major risk to human health and the environment.

This course is designed to provide you with the particular expertise required for dealing with contaminated sites. Such expertise is essential to ensuring we maintain habitable, safe and sustainable communities.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Use our state-of-the-art geological and geotechnic labs for practical work
Get hands-on experience of using instruments such as GPS, Total Stations and 3D laser scanners
Be taught by recognised experts with extensive knowledge in groundwater hydrology, environmental geology and contaminated land

What opportunities might it lead to?

We will give you the knowledge and practical skills to ensure an interesting and rewarding career in the specialist area of contaminated land consultancy, regulation and remediation, both in the UK and overseas.

Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:

Environmental organisations
Geotechnical consultancies
Mining companies
Local authorities
Government agencies

Module Details

You can opt to take this course in full-time or part-time mode. The course is divided into three parts. The first two comprise the taught units of the course covering the key conceptual, institutional and applied bases of the subject. The third focuses on your dissertation.

This course covers a mixture of topics including: groundwater hydrology, geochemistry, site investigation, geotechnics and contaminated land assessment.

Here are the units you will study:

Soil Mechanics: This unit is fundamental to understanding how contaminants behave and migrate in the ground. You will gain an advanced understanding of the geo-mechanical behaviour of soils, including the description and testing of soils to UK and international standards.

Desk Studies and Ground Models: These are an integral part of any contaminated land assessment. You will have training in the development of geological ground models and geomorphological terrain models through desk studies, walk-over surveys and site investigation.

Ground Investigation Techniques: You will gain advanced knowledge of ground investigation using invasive techniques, in-situ tests and geophysical methods.

Contaminated Land Risk Assessments: You will learn key techniques for site assessment, analytical testing and risk assessment.

Field Reconnaissance and Walk-Over Survey: This unit covers techniques which are integral to the course and an essential skill for any graduate wishing to work in this area. You will have fieldwork training in techniques such as walk-over surveys combined with interpretation of remote sensing and aerial photography imagery.

Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing: You will learn integration and analysis of spatial datasets using GIS and interpretation of aerial photography and satellite imagery - key tools for terrain evaluation.

Independent Research Project: This provides an opportunity for you to undertake an original piece of research to academic or industrial standards, typically in collaboration with research staff in the department or external industry partners. In addition to submission of a thesis report, you also present the results of your project at the annual postgraduate conference held at the end of September.

Programme Assessment

The course provides a balanced structure of lectures, workshops and practical laboratory work. You will generally be taught in small classes, providing an informal, friendly and supportive atmosphere for your studies.

Assessment is varied, aimed at developing skills relevant to a range of working environments. Here’s how we assess your work:

Poster and oral presentations
Project reports
Essays
Laboratory reports

Student Destinations

Contaminated land is listed as one of the key areas in which the UK has a skills shortage. This fact, combined with the vocational nature of this course, means that you will be in high demand from employers looking for newly qualified contaminated land specialists. You will find the majority of such roles in the environmental consultancy sector.

This course will provide you with a variety of transferable skills such as project planning, literature and data reviewing, report writing, along with the more general skills of presentation, communication and so on. It also has strong research and analytical components, ideal if you wish to pursue further research to PhD level.

We aim to provide you with as much support as possible in finding employment through close industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice.

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Why choose this course?

This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences

Gain an in-depth and holistic understanding and knowledge of contaminated land and freshwater environments, as well as strategies to prevent, manage, and control contamination of these environments

You'll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement to experience working with employers in a range of settings, from practical-based training to practitioner-based learning

This course will prepare you to apply the knowledge gained to real world situations and critically evaluate the outcomes to make strategic decisions

This course provides study aspects that develop an insight and skills for professionals in the government, industry, consultancy, academia, and other statutory bodies within the UK and overseas to evaluate contaminated land and freshwater management policies and strategies to achieve effective governance of these environments

We offer a learning approach suitable for recent graduates seeking a full-time study approach, and mature students in current employment a part-time route to suit their time commitments.

About this course

This is a creative programme that addresses human intervention strategies towards problem-solving in the real world, on examples such as flood defence, through the processes involved in decision-making at local authorities. This will be achieved by linking with external organisations to include practical experience through field and laboratory work, and practitioner training through placements.

Aspects of contaminated land will include legislation and regulation, identification, analysis and remediation, and human health exposure assessment through a case study approach using research informed teaching, as well as practitioner training. Within the water aspects of our course, you will focus on the environmental monitoring and assessment of freshwater, legislation and regulatory aspects, management of freshwater towards prevention and control of contamination, drinking water quality and human health, and a focus on flood defence.

A number of factors ensure you are prepared for the workforce you will seek to join on completion of the programme; these include placement experience with employers, and field and laboratory skills. Additionally, the course is currently undergoing accreditation with the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), meaning students could be studying on a professional body accredited course with free student membership of the professional body and eligibility to apply for higher levels of membership upon completion.

Face-to-face delivery of modules and placements will aid your development of transferrable soft leadership and management, and communication skills required to meet the demands of current employers. Most of our student employment will be within collaborative and multi-disciplinary teams. Moreover, you will be supported in your PDP through reflection upon your own learning, performance and achievement, and planning for your personal, educational, and career development.

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Professional geologists working in consultancies, regulatory authorities and government environmental agencies are required to apply a wide range of transferrable skills to their jobs. Candidates who are able to demonstrate skills in public engagement, communication, professional research and report-writing, in addition to academic knowledge and field skills, are therefore highly sought after in these professions.

This full-time MSc Applied Environmental Geology is part taught and part professional project. We aim to develop your transferrable skills in a professional context and give you a head start in the geology profession of your choice or starting a PhD.

Distinctive features:

• Our location in South Wales provides us with a wide range of highly relevant geoenvironmental and geotechnical locations, which we visit during fieldtrips and use in case studies.

• Embed your skills in professional practice through a five month professional project, usually as part of a placement.

• Strong links with industry and government agencies ensure the quality and relevance of the course, and give you the opportunity to make contacts.

• Fully integrated with the professional development (CPD) lecture programme of the Southern Wales Group of the Geological Society of London.

Structure

There are two stages to the MSc Applied Environmental Geology.

Stage 1 lasts for 7 months (September – April), where you will complete taught modules and fieldwork, with significant contributions from industry professionals.

In these modules, we will investigate general themes, such as the principles of geotechnical engineering and geophysics. We will also look into environmental themes in more depth including land contamination, environmental regulation, behaviour of soils and water.

If you pass Stage 1 you will progress onto Stage 2, which is a 5-month professional project from May to September culminating in a dissertation. We will, wherever possible, offer you an industrial placement with a professional company either in the UK or overseas over the summer to complete your project.

For the first seven months, from September to April, you will complete taught modules and fieldwork at Cardiff University. After this, you will progress onto a 5-month placement in the UK or overseas where you will undertake a professional project and complete your dissertation.

Core modules:

Project Planning, Design and Management For Applied Environmental Geology
Geotechnical Engineering
Engineering Behaviour of Soils
Contaminated Land
Environmental Assessment and Regulation
Remote Sensing and Applied Geophysics
Transferable Skills
Water in the Environment
Dissertation AEG

Optional modules:

Environmental Geology/Hydrogeology Report

Teaching

The methods of teaching we employ may vary from module to module. Generally we teach using a mixture of lectures, practical work and fieldwork. We also have a series of lectures with invited speakers from across the profession, as well as strong links with the Geological Society.

On the course, you will undertake laboratory work in several modules. This includes standard laboratory tests covering the physical and mechanical properties of soils, and water flow experiments to learn hydrologic and hydrogeologic concepts.

You will also develop your knowledge of numerical tools to model real-world geotechnical problems. Application software, such as CorelDraw, Surfer, ArcGIS, as well as professional geoengineering software, such as Rockscience and Landsim, are used throughout the course.

Throughout the course we encourage communication and teamwork. For example, we may ask you to work in teams in laboratories and on field-trips. Our project training includes skills in supervision and co-ordination of a range of tasks designed to address specific geotechnical and geoenvironmental problems.

Assessment

We use a wide range of assessment methods, depending on the module. These include exams, coursework, presentations, practical assessment, your industrial placement and dissertation (20,000 words).

Placements

You will undertake a professional placement in industry as part of the second stage of the course. This placement will last for 5 months (May - September), during which you will undertake a research project and complete your dissertation.

We endeavour wherever possible to place students with industrial partners. This placement can be located in the UK or overseas as long as the project is deemed to be logistically safe and academically viable.

Fieldwork

South Wales provides a wide range of highly relevant geoenvironmental and geotechnical case studies and site visits. These include site visits to the Cardiff Bay Barrage, acid mine drainage from abandoned mines and active landslides in the south Wales Valleys. Field work includes surveying skills, rock engineering to the Rhondda Valley and Cardigan, site investigation visits to the Mumbles, Bournville landslide, as well as contaminated land studies at Barry Docks and Bryn Pica landfill site. All fieldwork on this course is compulsory.

Career prospects

Our graduates are widely sought after in industry and often have an advantage in the job market, due to the applied nature of the course and the transferrable skills they have been equipped with.

Following this degree you may choose to work in consultancy, regulatory authorities or government environmental agencies across the world. You may also decide to conduct further research and complete a PhD.

Former students can be found working for the likes of Network Rail, Mott McDonald, Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency England, WSP, Ove Arup, Atkins and numerous other specialist geo-environmental consultancies and agencies based around the UK.

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This MSc offers you the knowledge and expertise that you need to help you forge a career as a consulting geoenvironmental engineer within a multi-disciplinary professional team. The course is designed to provide specialist postgraduate professional development in this emerging discipline, encompassing areas traditionally within civil engineering, earth sciences and biology.

Geoenvironmental engineering is an inclusive discipline which recognises that many environmental challenges cannot be solved by one traditional discipline alone. The solutions to environmental challenges relating to human interaction with soil, groundwater and surface water require engineers to possess a broad range of knowledge and expertise. Cardiff University's MSc in Civil and Geoenvironmental Engineering prepares you to meet these challenges.

Civil engineering, earth sciences and the life sciences are all part of the discipline of geoenvironmental engineering. As a geoenvironmental engineer you could be involved in a wide range of activities, including contaminated land management, hydrogeology, water resource management, geochemical analysis, groundwater and surface water contamination fate and transport prediction, environmental impact assessment, environmental risk assessment, and habitat management. Geoenvironmental engineers frequently work in multidisciplinary project teams and developments.

Distinctive features

• Professional practice issues are integrated with the scientific and engineering foundation of the MSc through a series of short, workshop-style training courses covering practical aspects. These short courses are delivered by recognised professional practitioners in the industry.

• The course involves an innovative partnership between the Cardiff School of Engineering, the School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences and the Cardiff School of Biosciences.

• The MSc in Civil and Geoenvironmental Engineering is accredited by the ICE, IStructE, IHT and IHIE, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for intakes 2014-2018 inclusive, for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree or an IEng accredited BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

Structure

The degree programme is available on a one year full-time basis or on a three year part-time basis. The full-time programme is delivered over two taught semesters followed by a research period and preparation of a dissertation. The part-time course is taught over three years. On successful completion of Part 1, the taught part of the course, you will proceed to the research project and dissertation stage.

This MSc is a partnership between the School of Engineering, the School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Science and the School of Biosciences, and is administered by the School of Engineering.

For a list of the modules taught on the FULL-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/civil-and-geoenvironmental-engineering-msc

For a list of the modules taught on the PART-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/civil-and-geoenvironmental-engineering-msc-part-time

Teaching

Part 1 of your course involves taught classes such as lectures, laboratory sessions and tutorials. You will be taught by leading international researchers in the fields of civil and geoenvironmental engineering.

A feature of the MSc in Civil and Geoenvironmental Engineering is the series of short, workshop style training courses covering practical applications, integrating professional practice issues with the scientific and engineering foundation of the course. These workshops are delivered by recognised professional practitioners in the industry.

Assessment

Achievement of learning outcomes in the majority of modules is assessed by a combination of coursework assignments, plus University examinations set in January or May. Examinations count for 60%–70% of assessment in Stage 1 of the programme, depending on the options chosen, the remainder being largely project work and pieces of coursework.

Award of an MSc requires successful completion of Stage 2, the Dissertation, with a mark of 50% or higher. Candidates achieving a 70% average may be awarded a Distinction. Candidates achieving a 60% average may be awarded a Merit. Candidates failing to qualify for an MSc may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma for 120 credits in Stage 1. Candidates failing to complete the 120 credits required for Stage 1 may still be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate for the achievement of at least 60 credits.

Career prospects

The record of employment of graduates of the Cardiff University MSc in Civil and Geoenvironmental Engineering is excellent, with the majority of graduates joining engineering consultants. A small number of graduates each year go on to further study, typically a PhD.

Substantial industrial involvement with the design and delivery of the course ensures the continuing relevance of the MSc as preparation for professional employment work in this area.

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This programme will provide you with the necessary training and skills to undertake professional employment in the civil, environmental, engineering geology, geotechnical engineering and mining-related industries. It also provides specialist knowledge in tunnel, surface and underground excavation design, and applied hydrogeology and risk assessment.

Taught modules take place at the Camborne School of Mines(CSM) over two semesters and individual projects are undertaken throughout the summer, often as industrial placements. The programme is suitable for geology and engineering graduates wishing to specialise in applied geotechnics.

This degree is professionally accredited under licence from the Engineering Council, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

Programme Structure

You can either study the course full time over a year or part-time over 3 years.

Compulsory modules

The compulsory modules can include; Project and Dissertation; Excavation and Geomechanics; Health and Safety in the Extractive Industry and Project Management

Optional modules

Some examples of the optional modules are; Resource Estimation; Economics, Processing & Environment; Hydrogeology; Surface Excavation Design; Tunnelling and Underground Excavation; Production and Cost Estimation; Mine Planning and Design; Geomechanics Computer Modelling for Excavation Design and Soil and Water Contamination.

The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand

Learning and teaching

The taught part of the programme is structured into two terms. Field visits and practical field-based assignments are used, where appropriate, to emphasise key areas within each module.

The project is undertaken from June to September, after the second semester examinations. You are encouraged to undertake projects directly linked with industry, which may result in industrial placements for the project period. The projects are normally design-based and allow further specialisation in a topic that is of particular interest to you. This could involve the use of state-of-the-art engineering design software, risk and hazard analysis and other analytical techniques.

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The programme provides specialist analytical, design and management skills. The MSc provides skill enhancement for engineers and geologists already employed in the mining, minerals, quarrying and civil engineering industries. It is also suitable for geology and engineering graduates wishing to specialise in either of the following main study areas: mine and general management; excavation (geotechnics and tunnelling).

Taught modules take place at the Camborne School of Mines; projects are often company-based.

This degree is professionally accredited under licence from the Engineering Council, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

Programme Structure

You can either study the course full time over a year or part-time over 3 years.

Compulsory modules

The compulsory modules can include; Project and Dissertation; Excavation and Geomechanics; Health and Safety in the Extractive Industry; Economics, Processing & Environment and Project Management

Optional modules

Some examples of the optional modules are; Surface Excavation Design; Resource Estimation; Tunnelling and Underground Excavation; Production and Cost Estimation; Mine Planning and Design; Geomechanics Computer Modelling for Excavation Design and Soil and Water Contamination.

The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. For up to date information please see the website at http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/mining-engineering/msc-mining-engineering/#Programme-structure

Learning and teaching

The taught part of the programme is structured into two terms. Field visits and practical field-based assignments are used, where appropriate, to emphasise key areas within each module.

For the award of the Masters (MSc), you must pass four modules and complete a project and dissertation. To obtain a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), you must pass two modules and a project with dissertation.
Students are encouraged to undertake projects directly linked with industry, which may result in industrial placements for their project period.

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The International Community increasingly faces the task of addressing a plethora of environmental challenges. The LLM Environmental law provides an insight into the international legal response to these various challenges which include global warming, ozone layer depletion, the over-exploitation by mankind of wildlife species and the destruction of vital habitat sites.

Many environmental problems require an international response. This course aims to provide the student with an insight into international environmental law with a focus on the general themes and principles in this area, the law relating to the protection of biodiversity, and that which endeavours to prevent or at least minimise the impact of transfrontier pollution.

The modules taught on this course cover a wide range of issues of contemporary relevance. The underlying purpose is to provide a solid grounding in the basic principles of European Community and international environmental law as applied in a particular context.

How has international environmental law evolved historically? Who are the main actors in the field? What key principles underpin regulation? What do we mean by the pursuit of “sustainable development”? How is the law in this area enforced? Treaty regimes explored include those relating to acid deposition, climate change, ozone layer depletion, nuclear contamination and freshwater pollution. In addition, an insight will be given to the various treaty regimes that seek to address the continuing pressures on the world’s biodiversity. For example, how is commercial whaling now regulated? What system is in place to regulate trade in endangered species? What of the protection of wetlands, Antarctica, world heritage and of migratory species?

Modern techniques of environmental regulation are also addressed, such as the funding mechanisms for international environmental treaties (e.g. Biodiversity Convention, Ozone Layer Convention) and the procedural requirement for environmental impact assessment of certain activities under international and European Community law.

Since its introduction in 1987, our LLM programme has continued to grow in popularity and prestige. Offering a wide and diverse range of over 50 options, the programme now attracts some 150 to 180 candidates each year, from more than 50 countries, confirming its status as one of the leading and most exciting LLM programmes available.

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This interdisciplinary programme is designed to provide an opportunity to explore the interplay between scientific knowledge and law. You may take courses that address the international legal response to the growing number of pressures on the global environment, and complement these by studying a variety of courses designed to give an introduction to physical and/or biological sciences.

Climate change, acid rain, biodiversity conservation, species extinction, contaminated land - these are but a few of the environmental issues that constitute headline news today. Modules offered by the School of Law are designed to give a wider understanding of EC and international law perspectives on environmental problems that frequently can only be addressed through regional or international regulation. How has international environmental law evolved historically? Who are the main actors in the field? What key principles underpin regulation? What do we mean by the pursuit of “sustainable development”? How is the law in this area enforced?

Treaty regimes explored include those relating to acid deposition, climate change, ozone layer depletion, nuclear contamination and freshwater pollution. In addition, an insight will be given to the various treaty regimes that seek to address the continuing pressures on the world’s biodiversity. For example, how is commercial whaling now regulated? What system is in place to regulate trade in endangered species? What of the protection of wetlands, Antarctica, world heritage and of migratory species?

The scientific element of the programme is designed to provide a background in biological and/or physical sciences, and also an understanding of relevant mathematical and computer science to facilitate a quantitative understanding of environmental issues.

Addressing these issues to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the enjoyment of future generations is one of the greatest challenges for environmental science and law.

Key facts

The School of Law is rated as ‘internationally outstanding’ (Grade 5A on a scale of 1-5) for its research and as ‘Excellent’ for its teaching quality.
The School enjoys important professional relationships with international institutions; leading firms in the City of London and the provinces; private industry and consultancies; and non-governmental organisations.
The School of Biosciences is one of the largest and strongest Schools of its kind in the UK.
It has consistently achieved high ratings in independent UK assessments of both research and teaching quality, receiving an RAE grade of 5A and 23/24 in the latest Teaching Quality Assessment.
The Sutton Bonington Campus is a self-contained, 16-hectare site in the beautiful countryside of South Nottinghamshire and it offers a number of dedicated facilities applicable to this course.

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This is a vocational programme relevant to graduates with good Honours degrees in appropriate subjects (for example, Geosciences, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biosciences, and Environmental Sciences). It is important to have a good knowledge of mathematics.
The lecture component of the programme encompasses the full range of hydrogeology. Modules cover drilling, well design, aquifer test analysis, laboratory test analysis, groundwater flow, hydrogeophysics, inorganic chemistry of groundwaters, organic contamination of groundwater, contaminated land and remediation, groundwater modelling, contaminant transport, hydrology, and groundwater resources assessment.

These lecture modules are supported by practical field sessions, and by computing and hydrogeological modelling based on industry standard software. Integration of concepts developed in the taught programmes is facilitated through student-centred investigations of current issues linked to a diverse range of hydrogeological environments.

Examinations are held in January and April. From May onwards, you undertake a project, a report on which is submitted in September.

Projects may be field-, laboratory-, or modelling- based, and are usually of an applied nature, although a few are research-orientated. Our chemical (inorganic and organic), rock testing, computing, geophysical and borehole-logging equipment is available for you to use during this period.

Career openings include those with consulting engineering and environmental firms, government scientific services and regional water companies, both in this country and abroad. Demand for hydrogeologists is substantial and students from the course are highly regarded by employers.

About the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences has a renowned history for international excellence in research and teaching.
Our postgraduate programmes are shaped by research that addresses global grand challenges across the fields of geography, planning, earth sciences, environmental science, occupational health and safety, and environmental and public health. With policy- and practice-focused teaching, all our programmes have high employability outcomes.
We offer excellent facilities for postgraduate study including extensive map and archive facilities, earth imaging laboratory, stable-isotope laboratory (SILLA), environmental library, fully digital drawing office, and state-of-the-art laboratories for environmental chemistry, sedimentology, ecology, groundwater and palaeobiology. Our diverse range of programmes will provide you with a thorough understanding of the discipline, high-quality training and skills development, and access to our expert staff and extensive facilities.
Our graduates go on to forge careers in areas that matter – from environmental consultancies and the hydrocarbon industries, to urban planning, policy roles in NGOs and government regulatory services – and make a real contribution to global challenges. Many graduates also go on to study for PhDs.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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Why this course?

The MSc in Environmental Health Sciences has been designed to allow graduates from a range of science and engineering disciplines to develop and extend knowledge in risk-based assessment and management of environmental influences on human health.

Environmental health is the assessment and management of environmental influences on human health. This includes the study of:

- environmental protection including control of air, water and land pollution

- food safety and hygiene including production, distribution and fitness for human consumption

- occupational health and safety including investigation and control of work-related accidents and ill health

- the built environment including homes, workplaces and public spaces

Environmental health work is important and highly worthwhile and many of our students are motivated by a desire to directly improve living and working conditions for a wide range of people.

You'll develop expertise in current methods for examining factors that affect human health, assessing and managing the risks involved, and meeting the challenges resulting from changes in the interaction between people and the environment.

The wide scope of environmental health sciences and the corresponding breadth of the degree reflect rapid technological progress. Environmental impact assessment, sustainable development, air, water and noise pollution are increasingly important and there is a pressing need for graduates with skills in these disciplines.

This course also provides an emphasis on teaching subjects that are relevant to contemporary problems faced by communities, government, industry and commercial organisations.

For example, professionals from outside Strathclyde work together with academic staff and students in the teaching of case studies of outbreaks of water-borne and food-borne diseases and also in urban and industrial air quality management.

See the website https://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduatetaught/environmentalhealthsciences/

You’ll study

Teaching is based on a core of conventional lectures and tutorials, complemented by group projects, laboratory classes, student-led seminars and fieldwork. The programme can be studied over one year full-time, two years part-time or up to five years through Open Access.

On the full-time programme, you’ll follow a core curriculum of eight classes and four optional class. Each class is taught for two to three hours per week over eight to 12 weeks.

Following successful completion of the taught component, you’ll undertake a dissertation from June to August.

Facilities

Our laboratory facilities are well-equipped for a wide range of chemical and biological measurements. High-technological instrumentation and space are available to investigate:

- marine and freshwater quality

- air quality

- solid and hazardous wastes

- environmental microbiology

Teaching staff

The course is delivered by staff from the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. The academic team includes:

- Dr Iain Beverland, programme manager of the MSc in Environmental Health Sciences. He has research & teaching interests in the areas of air pollution control, environmental epidemiology, exposure assessment, & public/environmental health. Current research includes study of the effects of exposure to air pollution on human health, with a focus on traffic-related air pollution in urban areas.

- Dr Tara K Beattie has expertise in the field of public health and the management of water and solid waste. Her research interests include free-living protozoa and their potential to cause human disease.

- Dr Raymond Wong has research and teaching interests in the areas of food laws (EU and UK), policies and compliance; food poisoning, contamination and prevention; and food safety management systems.

- Dr Christine Switzer specialises in contaminant fate, transport and remediation with emphases on non-aqueous phase liquids and aggressive remediation technologies.

Additional information

Staff within the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering have engaged with developing Environmental Health training in Africa for almost 20 years.

Flexible Options – Distance Learning & CPD

This course is also offered via Distance Learning mode, which allow you to complete an MSc via online study at home, at a time that suits you. This means you can study while balancing your existing work and family commitments. This option is suitable for students located anywhere in the world. The MSc via Distance Learning is via part-time study over 3 years.

Home students can also choose to study through the Professional Development route. You register for one module at a time and have the option to build up credits eventually leading to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or MSc. You can take up to five years to achieve the qualification. This option is popular with students in employment, who may wish to undertake modules for Continuing Professional Development purposes. Students who do not meet the normal MSc entry requirements for this programme are welcome to apply through this route instead.

Careers

Graduates in environmental health sciences are well prepared for a wide range of professions that require intellectual flexibility and analytical skill.

Many of our graduates have highly successful careers in environmental regulation, government departments, environmental consultancy, health and safety management, food industry, public water utilities, and waste management.

There is increasing recognition by employers in the private sector that graduates in environmental health have skills and backgrounds that are well suited to management roles in a range of related business activities, including the specialist field of corporate social responsibility.

Employers of Strathclyde Environmental Health graduates include:

AECOM; ACS Physical Risk Control Ltd; British Army; British Petroleum; Glasgow Caledonian University; GlaxoSmithKline plc; Health Protection Scotland; IBI Group Inc; International Atomic Energy Agency; Institute of Occupational Medicine; Malaysian Government; Maltese Government; Swaziland Department of Health; Logica plc; Malawi Government; National Health Service in Scotland; Ricardo AEA Ltd; Royal Bank of Scotland; Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland; Royal Navy; RPS Group Plc; Scottish Environmental Protection Agency; Scottish Government; UK Meteorological Office; University of Edinburgh; University of Glasgow; University of Strathclyde; World Health Organisation.

The MSc Environmental Health Sciences programme is not a pre-training programme for students wishing to become a local government Environmental Health Officer in Scotland through the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) scheme of professional training.

Find information on Scholarships here http://www.strath.ac.uk/search/scholarships/index.jsp

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The taught M.Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences, as the first of its kind in Ireland, has an established pedigree, attracting students with diverse academic backgrounds from Ireland and abroad. This full-time, intensive course is intended for administrative and scientific workers and new graduates with an appropriate biological/earth science background. It comprises a series of taught modules encompassing a variety of current environmental themes, followed by a five-month, research project. There is also the possibility to opt for a diploma course in Environmental Sciences, consisting of the taught modules only.

The course provides students with a wide range of knowledge and skills relating to the expanding subject of Environmental Science. It aims to provide a firm scientific understanding of current environmental issues that will be of relevance to those interested in environmental management and related areas. The course provides a foundation of understanding of current environmental policies and legislation, and builds upon this with practical and theoretical courses that include subjects such as ocean and coastal management, water resources and pollution, climate change and environmental impact assessment. Theory and practice are closely linked to develop field, analytical, and presentation skills, including dedicated modules relating to data analysis and Geographic Information Systems. The course provides the opportunity to develop interests in particular areas of Environmental Science through tutorials, seminars and an extended desk study.

Following successful completion of the taught part of the course, students embark on a closely supervised research project intended to expand the skills and knowledge base acquired in earlier modules. Previous research projects have covered a diverse range of subjects including: groundwater contamination; atmospheric heavy metal deposition; environmental education; sewage processing systems; bio-indicators of marine pollution; and the impacts of erosion in African lakes.

Previous graduates of this M.Sc. course have been employed by a range of agencies involved in environmental protection, as environmental consultants and in local government. Many graduates have gone on to do further research in a range of environmentally related disciplines. Graduates from the course have pursued their interests in environmental sciences throughout the world.

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The MSc Environmental Engineering course provides highly employable graduates who will act as managers and leaders serving the environmental needs of the process industries.

The scale of modern industralisation has given rise to environmental problems of unprecedented complexity. This MSc examines environmental problems like toxic waste, air pollution, waste disposal, global warming, contaminated land and water. The challenge for today’s environmental engineers is to manage these problems through a high level of resource management and technological innovation.

Today’s environmental problems require innovation in improvements to manufacturing processes and in the utilisation
of natural resources. Both the assessment and management of the effects of natural and human activity on the natural and built
environment are examined in this course. The course demands a high level of resource management and is designed to enable graduates to work across the interface between engineering and the environment.

Students will develop:
a solid understanding of existing technology and its application, and an appreciation of the economic, legal, social and ethical aspects of the problems presented
skills in research, project management, problem solving and reporting
the ability to communicate ideas effectively in written reports, verbally and by means of presentations to groups
the ability to exercise original thought
the ability to plan and undertake an individual project
the ability to understand and apply the theory, method and
practice of environmental engineering
interpersonal communication and professional skill

Previous research projects have included:
assessment of energy crops for combined heat and power systems
bio-diesel process optimisation
microbial Fuel Cells
nanobots for contaminated land remediation
metal contamination of lakes near Nottingham
starch nanoparticles for water treatment
renewable energy at point of consumption

Scholarship information can be found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/graduateschool/funding/index.aspx

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MSc Food Safety

The MSc programme Food Safety focuses on the technical aspects, as well as on the legal aspects of food safety and integrates these in Food Safety Management. The Food Safety programme of Wageningen University was the first MSc in Food Safety worldwide. The programme is unique, with a highly integrated approach to the field of food safety.

Programme summary

Wageningen University is one of the few universities in Europe able to offer education and research in all fields of food safety. This does not only include technical disciplines such as microbiology and toxicology, but also the legal, economic and communication aspects. The Food Safety programme at Wageningen University is one of the most modern and innovative in the world. Started in 2000 as the first of its kind, it is still the only two-year, full-time Master Food Safety programme offered in Europe and the only programme offering Food Safety Law. The programme prepares graduates for careers in the food industry, government or consumer organisations; the three key players in international food safety management.

The food industry is increasingly confronted with farm-to-table food safety measures, regulations, legislation and guidelines aimed at controlling food hazards. As a result, there is an increasing demand for managers with expertise in food safety evaluation who are able to survey and monitor the chemical, microbiological and physical parameters of product composition and product safety. Food safety experts are able to understand and analyse the variation in quality and safety of products. They are also able to assess the potential risks involved in the adoption of new production methods and processing techniques. Food safety evaluation concerns food constituents, agro-chemicals, environmental contaminants and natural toxins.

Food regulations are getting more and more complex, creating the need for regulatory affairs specialists in industry or in lobbying organisations. The programme is the only programme offering Food Safety Law for students with either a technical or a legal degree, thereby, fulfilling the need in society for such positions.

Specialisations

The programme offers three specialisations. All three specialisations have the courses on Food Safety Management and Food Law in common.

Applied Food Safety
This specialisation deals with the more technical (microbiology, toxicology, risk assessment) part of food safety. Food Safety Economics is also part of the programme. Thesis topics are also in these fields and graduates generally work in industry, universities and research institutes.

Food Safety Law
This specialisation is open for students with a technical or legal background. Courses focus on (international) food law, intellectual property rights and management. Theses are on food law. Graduates generally work as regulatory affairs specialists in industry.

Supply Chain Safety
This specialisation deals with safe food and ingredient supply. Globalisation leads to serious risks of contamination. In tropical countries, companies also face wars and political problems. Courses thus focus on Food Security, Risk Management in Food Chains and logistics, in addition to Microbiology and Food Law.

Your future career

The employment market is promising and all recent graduates found jobs with relative ease. The demand for university-trained professionals in this field is currently higher than the number of graduates available. Most recent graduates found jobs in the private sector, at universities or at food safety research institutes. Many graduates enter careers in government and go on to managerial positions. Due to the increased efforts of the EU in the development of national food safety organisations, there will be many more job opportunities in various European countries, both for technical as well as regulatory specialists.

Student Moath Almayman.
"The courses of the Master Food Safety consist of technical, managerial and legal aspects of food safety and are directly linked to real life situations. This in combination with the ability to perform extensive research and an internship at an international company to enhance my working experience, were reasons for me to choose this master. Even with a small population, Wageningen is a great cosmopolitan town. So many students from different backgrounds make it a very interesting place."

Related programmes:
MSc Food Quality Management
MSc Food Technology
MSc Nutrition and Health

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The Research Masters (ResM) is a Masters level degree awarded by Plymouth University through the Duchy College node - a research node of Plymouth University’s Centre for Agriculture and Rural Sustainability (CARS).

All ResM students are supervised by college staff based in Cornwall on the Stoke Climsland or Newquay campuses and co-supervised by Plymouth University staff. The ResM culminates in the examination of a thesis based on a period of extended research, preceded by two taught modules that equip the student for research.

The ResM programme at Duchy is tailored to individual needs and commonly involves working with an industry partner. There are full-time and part-time routes.

Full and partial fees bursaries may be available, please contract Dr Peter McGregor for more information and eligibility criteria.

Indicative project titles for Biological Sciences:
• Infrared thermography as a tool in welfare assessments in animal rescue centres
• Seasonal variations of microplastic contamination in the estuaries
• Impacts of invasive species on native biodiversity
• Indicator species and conservation grazing

Student case study: "I am currently studying towards my ResM in Biological Sciences, having completed my BSc Applied Zoology. I very much enjoy studying here - the location is amazing and there are some great spots to study, especially the beach. My most memorable experiences so far are being involved in a group meeting with our local MP to discuss biodiversity, and presenting my work at a conference at Edinburgh Zoo. My tips for future students would be work hard, have fun and seek advice from your tutors. They want the best for you". Hayley Jones (ResM Biological Sciences).

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The Environmental Consultancy MSc is an exciting course providing you with the advanced conceptual understanding, detailed factual knowledge, and specialist technical skills for success in a science-based environmental business. It is ideal for graduates with a degree in biology, chemistry, or earth and environmental science.

This course develops your knowledge and understanding of the framework within which business opportunities are identified and pursued within the environmental sector. The course, made up from taught modules and a dissertation project, covers the following subjects:
-Solid waste management
-Groundwater contamination and remediation
-Ground investigation - design, principles and practice
-Research methods
-Introduction to microbiology and microbial transformation of pollutants
-Aqueous geochemistry
-Sources, fates and control of pollutants
-The environment business
-Contaminated land
-Environmental analytical geochemistry
-Geographic information systems

Accreditation

The course is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree. The course has also been accredited by the Geological Society (GeolSoc).

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