Environmental Science MSc or MRes

If you want to make a difference to our environmental world and learn the depth of skills required to have a broader range of possibilities after graduation in terms of employment this programme will give you a depth to apply your skills to multiple sectors and job roles within the environmental science discipline.

Our environment is increasingly at odds with the desire and methods we choose to grow as society, feed ourselves, manage our health, species, ecology, and land use in the future. This is exacerbated by an increasingly disturbed climate with more extreme weather events, our ability to clean up and protect and save vital elements we need in order to survive and flourish as a global society. We are at the cusp of a major re-think in how we manage and innovate within the confines of managing our climate better and with that comes a lot of need for highly qualified, knowledgeable people capable of analysing how we better balance our needs with that of the environment.

You learn the essential aspects to environmental science at advanced level with a great range and depth of highly employable courses in their own right such as the growing area of pollution control, soil management, land use and remediation methods, catchment management and ecology, analysis and planning. You round this up with essential aspects of environmental science management with environmental impact assessments (EIAs), conservation, and the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). All of these areas offer the opportunity to become both advanced generalist and specialist with further specialist options at your disposal throughout your career.

There are many employment options with an environmental science degree which can include regulating the environment and policy at government and local level,, consultancy to support NGOs and manage economic development. Within soil sciences you can develop expertise in managing food and land for production. You can add ecological understanding to environmental science knowledge. A major well publicised area of environmental science is now in the effects of climate change, pollution and how we grow as a society. Blue Planet, Client Earth, and many other influencers are making in roads into how we not only manage our environment but how we change the way we live and grow. Geographic Information Systems and the new Industry 4.0 revolution have made many analysis tools considerably easier within the monitoring of pollutants, land management and application; however the underlying science and understanding relies on specific skills, knowledge and application.

Environmental Science can be a highly rewarding career area where you can influence change and protect significant environmental areas. You can work in policy, regulation, consultancy or private companies and you can choose to specialise, generalise and apply your knowledge to where there is a real need. There is also opportunity to explore further research and new enterprise development, further specialisms within environmental sciences and regulatory areas over the course of your career.

Whilst you study you gain understanding, breadth and depth of elements which make up environmental science and you are able to learn inside and outside the classroom by applying your knowledge. You gain from industry expert talks and insights, 'live projects.' and a residential course at Ballater along with several further day trips allowing you to understand the science whilst enjoying the fantastic countryside nearby. You can choose to study for either MSc or MRes.

Courses listed for the programme

MSc Environmental Science

Semester 1

• Environmental Pollution
• Core Skills in Environmental Science

Optional

• Plant Ecology
• Global Soil Geography
• Soils for Food Security

Semester 2

• Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Land Use and the Changing Environment on Deeside

Optional

• Remediation and Technology
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Catchment Management
• Ecological and Environmental Modelling
• Environmental Analysis
• Ecology, Conservation and Society
• Environmental Management Plan

Semester 3

• Project in Environmental Science

MRes Environmental Science

Semester 1

• Environmental Pollution
• Core Skills in Environmental Science

Optional

• Global Soil Geography
• Plant Ecology
• Soils for Food Security

Semester 2

• Applications of Geographic Information Systems
• Land Use and the Changing Environment
• Environmental Science Research and Investigation

Optional

• Remediation Technology
• Environmental Analysis
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Catchment Management
• Ecological and Environmental Modelling
• Ecology, Conservation and Society
• Environmental Management Plan

Semester 3

• Project in Environmental Science

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page

Visit Us – Aberdeen, Online In Your Country

Why study at Aberdeen?

• You have great natural and industrial resources to apply skills in outdoor field work at Ballater plus several day trips from Aberdeen allowing you to apply your skills whilst enjoying the scenery
• Further research field stations are available at OceanLab, Cromarty Lighthouse on the Black Isle, Bettyhill and Eynehallow in Orkney
• We are No.1 in the UK for research in earth systems and environmental sciences (REF 2014)
• You are taught by internationally renowned experts in their field who have contributed to a greenhouse calculator used by Unilever and Marks and Spencer amongst others and many other academics with impressive CVs across academia and industry

Where you study

• University of Aberdeen
• Full Time or Part Time
• 12 Months or 24 Months
• September

International Student Fees

Find out about international fees:

• International
• EU and Scotland
• Other UK

Find out more about fees on the programme page

*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.

Scholarships

• The University of Aberdeen funding database
• Latest postgraduate opportunities
• Your programme page

Fees

• View fees on the programme page

 Entry Requirements and Study Support

• English Language Requirements – view the programme page
• Pre-Sessional English Language Support
• Access Courses – English and Maths
• Free Online Courses
• Short Courses

Living in Aberdeen

Find out more about:

Your Accommodation

• Catered Accommodation
• Self-Catering     

Campus Facilities

• University of Aberdeen: A Global Community
• University of Aberdeen: We are international
• Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
• Student Support
• Clubs and Societies
• Sport
• Societies
• Review

Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs

• Other Postgraduate Degrees
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Visit the Environmental Science MSc or MRes page on the Aberdeen University website for more details!