Masters Degrees in Environmental Geography

Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

The MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change course places particular emphasis on recent global and regional environmental and climatic change, the scientific basis and limitations of models and data collection techniques. It combines the international research strengths of staff within the Departments of Geography and Biosciences around environmental and climate dynamics (processes and mechanisms involved in stability and change), marine and ecosystem biology, and environmental management and sustainable development.

Graduates from the Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change course will have extensive knowledge of the current scientific issues underpinning climate change and environmental and ecosystem dynamics, and the practical problem solving, ICT and communication skills required for a successful career in the environmental service industry, regulating bodies or academia.

Students of the MSc Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change at Swansea will benefit from exceptional computing facilities that include fifteen dual-processor workstations for Earth Observation, a 20-node multiprocessor Beowulf cluster, and the Department’s IBM ‘Blue Ice’ supercomputer, used mainly for climate and glaciological modelling.

The aims of the Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change programme are:

To provide advanced training in understanding the scientific issues associated with environmental dynamics and climatic change,

To provide graduates entering the environmental service industry or a regulating body with the required practical problem solving, ICT and communication skills; as well as a basic knowledge of current climate policy and environmental management,

To provide graduates continuing their academic career with the required subject specific and transferable skills.

Modules

Modules of the MSc Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change ‌programme include:

Climate Change

Core Science Skills

Satellite Remote Sensing

Principles of Environmental Dynamics and Climatic Change

Please visit our website for a full description of modules for the Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change MSc.

Fieldwork

The Stackpole residential field course introduces Environmental Dynamics and Climatic Change programme students taking the “Principles of Environmental Dynamics” to some of the major themes of the module: environmental systems, sea-level change and human impact on the environment, in a congenial setting in Pembrokeshire. The environmental issues facing the Stackpole Estate are discussed and placed into a historical perspective through lectures and the analysis of long term environmental records.

Research

The Department of Geography aima to be one of the foremost international centres for research in human and physical geography, and to provide our students with excellent teaching and superb facilities in a friendly atmosphere.

The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 show that Geography at Swansea University is ranked joint 9th in the UK for research impact and 11th in the UK for research environment.

Research groups include:

Environmental Dynamics

Glaciology

Global Environmental Modelling and Earth Observation

Migration, Boundaries and Identity

Social Theory and Urban Space

We host a large community of postgraduate researchers studying for PhD degrees, and run one-year MRes, MSc and MA courses.

Facilities

The Department of Geography is well-resourced to support research: there are two dedicated computer laboratories: One of 24 computers in conjunction with Library and Information Services (LIS) providing general IT software and programmes dedicated to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing; One of 10 high-performance Linux workstations delivering software tools for advanced GIS and remote sensing applications.

We have specialist laboratory suites for: stable-isotope ratio analysis; tree ring analysis; extraction and identification of organic compounds; pollen extraction and analysis; rainfall simulation; tephra analysis; soil and sediment characterisation.

In addition, we have recently spent £1.8million on state-of-the-art teaching spaces, including IT facilities, laboratories and flexible teaching spaces.

Student profiles

I originally came to Swansea University to study for a BSc in Geography. Although this course covered a wide range of both human and physical topics that were all very interesting and provided a broad spectrum of skills from GIS and remote sensing to environmental modelling, my main interest was in the physical aspects. I graduated in 2007 with a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Geography and wanted to continue my studies into the field of climate change. I decided that the MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change would be an appropriate route to take in order to pursue this field. The MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change focused on many characteristics of the global environment, like impacts on ecosystems, and how the varying processes associated with climate change can be monitored, measured and modelled. This choice of topics was complimented by the fact that the modules were run by lecturers working at the cutting-edge of global environmental change. The culmination of what I learned over the course of the year was put into practice with the dissertation, which allowed me to focus on an area of particular interest. The group of friends that I had on the course were brilliant and I will take away a lot of fond memories of our time together at Swansea. Now, after finishing the MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change I have a job working for the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton".

David Hamersley, MSc Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change

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The MSc in Environmental Assessment and Management (EAM) examines the principles, procedures and methods of EAM against the background of current UK, European and international environmental policy.

The course covers the complementary roles of natural resource management and planning within core areas of EAM such as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), as well as new and evolving fields such as mitigation banking, climate change adaptation, environmental inequality, ecosystem services, and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and sustainability appraisal.

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). On completing the course, students are ideally placed to undertake the exams for the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Associate Membership.

Why choose this course?

Staff that teach on the MSc have published widely, including authoring the leading textbooks in Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment . Our teaching is always informed by the latest developments in theory and in practice. The teaching team regularly undertake related applied research and consultancy work with respected environmental consultancies such as ERM, WSP / Parsons Brinckerhoff, and Land Use Consultants, as well as the European Union, UK public sector bodies and NGOs. The course has excellent links with the professional practitioner community. Our contacts from industry provide valuable inputs via guest lecture sessions that serve to bring real-world experience to the programme, in addition to providing the opportunity for you to meet with potential employers.

Potential employers are familiar with the programme content and delivery and regularly approach the course team in search of our graduates. You will have regular opportunities to gain real world experience, ranging from dissertation research with the RSPB, TVERC and consultancies, and applied coursework with Grundon, to voluntary work with the Environmental Information Exchange. Excellent feedback from employers, "Both our environmental and planning teams have recruited graduates from the Oxford Brookes MSc courses. We find that the graduates from these courses have a wide range of interests and are well rounded candidates in terms of their environmental and planning knowledge." - URS

Professional accreditation

The MSc in Environmental Assessment and Management is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This means that on graduation, students can progress to complete the Assessment of Professional Competence programme of RICS in order to become full members.

The course is also accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a specialist Master's programme. Students who wish to progress to Chartered Membership of the RTPI with the MSc EAM must also complete an accredited PG Diploma qualification in spatial planning - please refer to http://www.rtpi.org.uk for further information regarding accreditation.

This course in detail

The MSc course consists of three core modules, three optional modules and a dissertation (representing 180 level 7 credits). The PGDip consists of three core modules and three options (representing 120 level 7 credits).

Please note: as courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.

The core modules:
-Principles of Environmental Assessment and Management (20 credits)
-Procedures and Methods of EIA (double module, 40 credits)

The dissertation element comprises:
-Research Methods (half module, 10 credits)
-Dissertation (50 credits)

One single module generally involves one taught session per week over the 12 weeks of the semester.

Optional modules provide an opportunity for students to widen or deepen their field of study. There are three types of optional module. Recommended Optional Modules are considered to be particularly relevant to the course and include:
-Ecosystem Degradation and Management
-Environmental Management Systems
-GIS and Environmental Modelling
-Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
-Spatial Planning in Action

Alternative Optional Modules are normally selected from an approved list of courses currently running in the university, including Globalisation, Environment and Development; Environmentally Sustainable Business; and International Transport Planning.

Independent Study Module involves individual work on an appropriate topic or set of topics, conducted under supervision and with prior approval of the programme leaders. No more than one independent study unit may be included in a programme.

Teaching and learning

The teaching and learning methods used in the programme reflect the wide variety of topics and techniques associated with EAM. Lectures provide the essential background and knowledge base for each module and workshops, seminars and project work provide opportunities for analysis and synthesis of this information.

The programme will also offer site visits (included in course fees), where appropriate, to provide direct experience of the important issues in environmental assessment and management.

A wide range of staff are involved in teaching on the programme. Most are from the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment and the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

Our contacts from industry provide valuable inputs via guest lecture sessions including speakers from the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Management, regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency and the Planning Inspectorate, and leading environmental consultancies such as ERM, AECOM, WSP / Parsons Brinckerhoff, and PBA.

These sessions serve to bring real-world experience to the programme, in addition to providing the opportunity for students to meet with potential employers.

A variety of materials and resources, including student experience, is used to provide a varied educational experience and a teaching and learning environment appropriate for graduate students.

The early parts of the programme focus on the background to EAM, particularly on establishing a solid grounding in planning, resource management, and principles of EAM.

Over time, increasing emphasis is placed on the skills required for environmental impact assessment and environmental management, culminating in the preparation of a major environmental impact statement (EIS) project.

Approximately two-thirds of the core-module element of the programme is devoted to environmental assessment, and one-third to environmental management. However, additional training in environmental management can be obtained by the selection of appropriate options.

Advice will be given at Induction on making appropriate choices in relation to students’ interests and intended career paths. The dissertation gives students the opportunity to explore a subject related to EAM in depth, and to integrate the various elements of the programme.

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This course provides the opportunity to explore the impacts that environmental health stressors (threats) have on the physical health and social well-being of individuals and communities. It comprises a twelve-month course leading to a Masters Degree in Public and Environmental Health Sciences.

The ethos of the course is to provide international students with the skills and knowledge to work within a range of organizations including national or local government, health services, commercial companies and private consultancies. The course is led by experienced Environmental Health Practitioners supported by external lecturers who are recognized specialists in their fields. You will have opportunity to be taught by and supported in their own research dissertations by the research scientists within the Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management.

A virtual learning platform has been introduced to allow students to identify hazards and risks within an industrial environment. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health for international students. It is taught in conjunction with the MSc in Environmental Health.

This programme is aimed at International students. If you are a UK/EU student, please see the equivalent Environmental Health MSc programme.

The course is taught using formal lectures; workshops; group work; case studies; practical simulations , industrial/commercial visits; and student centered learning. The virtual learning platform provides students with a hands- on opportunity for problem –solving. It supports building the foundation of competence through the knowledge and skills required by the CIEH, and provides an accredited pathway for science-based graduates to become environmental health practitioners. It is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

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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This programme is for graduates who wish to pursue a career in the environment sector in the UK or internationally, or those already working in the sector seeking to enhance their skills and employability. Graduates have an excellent track record of securing jobs in environmental consultancy, research and government agencies.

The unique emphasis of this programme is the practical challenge of measuring, analysing and evaluating dynamic environmental data for environmental problem-solving and management purposes. Learning is focussed around practical field and laboratory work.

A key element of the programme is the dissertation, for which students undertake research relating to any special interests they have in environmental management.

Core study areas include tools for river management, lake monitoring and management, wind erosion measurement and mitigation, natural hazard and catastrophe modelling, applied environmental GIS, hydroclimatological monitoring and modelling, evidence-based environmental management, research design, professional practice in environmental management, and a dissertation.

See the website http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/geography/environmental-monitoring-management/

Programme modules

Environment-specific theory and skills:
- Tools for River Management
- Lake Monitoring and Management
- Wind Erosion Measurement and Mitigation

Generic skills:
- Natural Hazard and Catastrophe Modelling for Environmental Management
- Applied Environmental GIS
- Hydroclimatological Monitoring and Modelling
- Evidence-based Environmental Management
- Research Design
- Professional Practice in Environmental Management

Research Project:
- Dissertation

Selection

Interviews may be held on consideration of a prospective student’s application form. Overseas students are often accepted on their grades and strong recommendation from suitable referees.

Assessment

Coursework reports and a dissertation of up to 50 pages on an agreed topic.

Careers and further study

Our graduates have outstanding employment prospects. Recent graduates are working in research, consultancy and government agencies in the fields of flood risk modelling and engineering, catastrophe risk analysis, water quality monitoring and transport planning.

Scholarships and sponsorships

Support may be available in the form of scholarships, and studentships awarded on a competitive basis.

Why choose geography at Loughborough?

The Department of Geography is a dynamic and vibrant place to be a postgraduate student and we are proud of our reputation for creating a friendly, supportive working environment.

We have over 25 academic staff who are all leading international experts in their fields.For example, our human geographers conduct research that informs government policy on student housing, international aid, alcohol policy and community cohesion, while our physical geographies continue to influence climate adaptation and development planning, the management of river sediments, and conservation management.

The work undertaken in our Department spans the breadth of contemporary physical and human geographical research (and involves strong connections into other disciplines) and deals with many of the most striking environmental, social and economic challenges facing our world, as demonstrated by our innovative programmes.

- Research
Postgraduate research, whether at PhD or MSc dissertation level, is a very important part of the academic life of our Department, and we invest a great deal of time and resources in supporting postgraduate students in their research.

- Career prospects
Loughborough postgraduates are highly employable. Employability skills are embedded throughout our programmes, with graduates appointed to posts across a full range of industries and sectors. Almost all of our postgraduates are in employment within a few months of graduating, and many who have studied in the Geography Department have embarked on academic research careers.

Find out how to apply here http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/geography/environmental-monitoring-management/

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About the course

The MSc in Environmental Change, Impact and Adaptation is your opportunity to study the latest understanding of environmental change and our efforts to plan for and manage future change. Having completed your undergraduate degree in a related field, this MSc will enable you to bring your skills and knowledge up to date with a view to continuing in employment or further research.

A series of new modules have been developed specifically for this programme and ensure you will receive a balanced appreciation of many aspects of environmental change. You will critically assess the evidence for environmental change across ecosystems and different temporal scales; gain experience in field-based data collection; examine the historic, present and future risks posed to human societies; and critically eval­uate solutions proposed to address challenges arising from climatic and environmental change.

The course begins with an overseas fieldtrip in week one where you will learn to devise your own field-based experiments to investigate environmental change. Training will be given in a range of advanced techniques such as quantification of CO2 emissions from soils and interpretation of evidence for past climate and environments in the landscape. There are no written exams, instead we use a variety of alternative assessment methods including short-film making, white papers, tender reports, computing practicals, field-based experiments, reviews and essays.

This course is delivered by the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, which has links to Natural Resources Wales and the Centre for Alternative Technology. You will also be assigned a personal tutor and a dissertation coordinator to support your personal and academic needs.

This course will help you develop the latest technological, theoretical and practical understanding of the subject and a range of transferable skills to support your employability. You will be able to: expertly debate the subject in written, oral and on-line forums; develop alternative approaches to research; work independently and as part of a team; undertake self-regulation of work regimes and time management; and collate, process and interpret data sets efficiently.

Our lecturers are active researchers working at the cutting edge of their disciplines, and you will benefit from being taught the latest geographical theories and techniques. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment (REF 2014) DGES retained its crown of the best Geography department in Wales, with 78% of the research being undertaken classified as either "world leading" or "internationally excellent”. DGES is also in the top ten of UK Geography departments with regard to research power, which provides a measure of the quality of research, as well as of the number of staff undertaking research within the department.

This degree will stand you in good stead for a career in risk management, development, disaster relief, environmental management or consultancy. This course is also highly suitable to prepare you for future research at PhD level.

Course content

Core modules:

Advanced Research Skills 1: science communication and data analysis
Environmental Change Dissertation
Environmental Change: a Palaeo Perspective
Global Climate Change: Debates and Impacts
Investigating Environmental Change: Fieldwork
Managing Environmental Change in Practice
Risk Management and Resilience in a Changing Environment

Contact time

Approximately 10-14 hours a week in the first two semesters. During semester three you will arrange your level of contact time with your assigned supervisor.

Assessment

The programme comprises 180 credits. There are 120 credits of taught modules completed during Semester 1 and Semester 2. This is followed by a research dissertation (60 credits) in semester 3.

Employability

This degree will suit you:

- If you want advanced training in environment based topics from one of the UK's leading research departments
- If you have a 2:1 degree or higher in a related discipline
- If you wish to gain academic expertise, field skills and technical experience in an environmental discipline
- If you wish to enter a career in environmental management or consultancy, development, disaster relief, risk management as well as future doctoral research.

Upon completing the Aberystwyth Masters in Environmental Change, Impact and Adaptation, you will be suited to specialist environment-related employment and more general areas of work. As a specialist, you will be a highly competent contributor to any work relating to climate change, human impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, environmental risk assessment and environmental policy analysis. In more generic employment situations, your strengths will be broad and deep because you will be able to demonstrate mastery in any planning, research, analysis and reporting skills that your employer will require.

Studying for this Masters degree will allow you to sharpen all your core scientific disciplines, your professional work ethos and your presentation and communication skills. Once secured by obtaining your Masters Degree, you will have gained confidence in the level of your academic expertise and practical field skills, which in turn will enhance your employability in both highly specialised related professions and also on broader, unrelated professional paths. All employers, whether subject-related specialists or more general corporate bodies and consultancies, place a high value on first-rate technical aptitude, clarity in research and analysis and fluency in communication.

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There is a growing need for qualified professionals with expertise in environmental modelling. The UCL Environmental Modelling MSc is a cross-disciplinary degree that provides rigorous technical and scientific training for the next generation of environmental modelling professionals.

Degree information

You will gain a well-rounded training in the role, implementation and application of models in environmental science. Core modules provide a critical perspective on model-based science, and introduce essential computational and numerical methods. The programme is contextualised with reference to the challenges of understanding both natural and human-induced changes to a variety of environmental systems.

Students take modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), optional modules (60 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months, part-time two years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time 12 weeks, part-time one year) is offered.

Core modules
-Models in Environmental Science
-Global Environmental Change
-Scientific Computing
-Analytical and Numerical Methods

Optional modules - options may include:
-Climate Modelling
-Coastal Change
-Environmental GIS
-Impacts of Climate Change on Hydro-Ecological Systems
-Lakes
-Ocean Circulation and Climate Change
-Surface Water Modelling
-Terrestrial Carbon: Monitoring and Modelling
-Other MSc modules offered across UCL may be taken at the discretion of the MSc convenor

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project, culminating in a dissertation of approximately 12,000 words and an oral presentation.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory and computer-based practical classes. Assessment is through independent project work, practical-based and written coursework, written examinations and the dissertation.

Careers

The programme has been designed to provide an ideal foundation for PhD research, or for employment with environmental monitoring and protection agencies, industry and environmental consultancies. Graduates have gone on to careers as management consultants, business analysts and university researchers.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Research Fellow, University of Girona and studying PhD Sanitas, Universitat de Girona (University of Girona)
-Risk Analyst, Canopius

Employability
Modelling was identified as the highest priority UK skills gap in a government review of the environmental sector. This MSc programme exposes students to the full range of environmental modelling which places graduates in a strong position to find employment. We anticipate that graduates of this MSc are either employed in the private environmental consulting sector or undertake a PhD.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The Environmental Modelling MSc is run by UCL Geography which enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching. Research groups contributing to the MSc include those concerned with environmental modelling and observation, past climates, and recent environmental change and biodiversity.

The programme draws on the unrivalled strengths of UCL in environment modelling. Our expertise encompasses state-of-the-art global climate models, regional ocean models, advanced hydrodynamic and hydrological simulations, palaeoclimate reconstruction over geological to recent historical timescales, earth observation-derived vegetation and carbon cycle modelling, and model-based assessment of climate change impacts on coastal, estuarine and freshwater systems.

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The School offers postgraduate research opportunities leading to PhD degrees across the whole range of its research activities, with funding coming from a variety of sources, including national research councils, School scholarships and industry.

Postgraduate students joining the School benefit from a thriving research community, expert supervision, dedicated training programmes and the opportunity to participate in research seminars and discussions with academic staff. All postgraduate students are provided with dedicated workspaces and have access to excellent computing and laboratory facilities.

You can study for a PhD on campus or by Distance Learning.

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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Your programme of study

University of Aberdeen Environmental and Forest Management programmes comes from one of the oldest forest management research areas in the UK. Aberdeen has been teaching Forestry for decades. Forestry is combined with environmental management to provide a very useful range of skills and knowledge to apply across environmental areas. With increasing deforestation there are also opportunities to provide more forests, sustainable forests and carefully managed forests. You visit local forests and take a resident field trip with a project you can undertake anywhere in the world. There will always be a requirement for specialists within forestry management to ensure the longevity of crops and sustainability of environmental resources.

On this MSc programme you will to study the principles of forest and woodland management as well as general environment management and their application both in the UK and overseas. The programme is aimed at people interested in a career in environmental management, environmental services, timber production, community forestry or a combination of these. You learn the important aspects affecting forestry which include plant ecology, environmental pollution, GIS mapping, harvesting, statistical information, remediation , EIA, Analysis, Ecology and conservation and environmental management planning. All of these modules allow you to specialist and become a specialist in your chosen area.

Courses listed for the programme

Semester 1

Optional

Core Skills in Environmental Science

Experimental design and Analysis

Statistics for Complex Study Designs

Plant Ecology

Global Soil Geography

Environmental Pollution

Ecosystems Processes

Application of GIS

Timber Harvesting and Measurement

Semester 2

Optional

Remediation Technology

European Forests Field Course

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Analysis

Ecology, Conservation and Society

Woodland Conservation and Management

Catchment Management

Environmental Management Plan

Applied Forest Ecology

Semester 3

Environmental and Forest Management Project

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/947/environmental-and-forest-management/

Why study at Aberdeen?

• University of Aberdeen has been associated with teaching and researching the forestry discipline for decades the subject ties into its strengths in environmental and soil science
• The programme is ranked No.1 in Scotland for research excellence in earth systems and sciences
• Field work takes place in the region with plenty of natural resources on Royal Deesside, Cairngorms National Park, agricultural Aberdeenshire and Caledonian pine forests

Where you study

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

International Student Fees 2017/2018

Find out about fees:

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-287.php

*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.

Scholarships

View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/finance-funding-1599.php

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/funding/

Living in Aberdeen

Find out more about:

• Your Accommodation
• Campus Facilities
• Aberdeen City
• Student Support
• Clubs and Societies

Find out more about living in Aberdeen:

https://abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life

Living costs

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/finance.php

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About the MSc programme

Environmental economics is playing an increasingly central role in understanding the causes of, and designing policy solutions to, contemporary environmental and resource problems. It has been instrumental in informing policy across the world, for example in the creation of markets for pollutants such as carbon, or the design of new instruments for the conservation of ecosystem services.

Across a wide range of issues such as biodiversity loss and fisheries management, sustainable economic development and the formation of international environmental agreements the theory and applied tools of environmental economics are uniquely placed to inform and guide decision-makers in addressing environmental challenges. Climate change is the most formidable environmental concern facing the planet today and the lessons and tools of environmental economics are highly relevant for thinking about and providing solutions to this global economic problem.

The programme aims to deliver a well-developed understanding of environmental and resource economics, its conceptual foundations and practical tools of analysis, including state-of-the-art quantitative methods. You will also learn to apply economic concepts and quantitative methods to the analysis, appraisal and valuation of a wide range of environmental problems and policies. You will gain an awareness of the importance of context when applying the concepts and tools of environmental economics, and an in-depth understanding of climate change, including its scientific, economic and political dimensions.

Graduate destinations

Economics is frequently at the centre of environmental policy-making. The MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change provides state-of-the-art training in environmental, natural resource and climate change economics. Students will develop analytical tools applicable to the full range of environmental issues in the public, private, and other sectors. There are promising career opportunities for those who have trained as professional environmental economists: in government, international organisations, industry, NGOs, consultancy and research.

The MSc Environmental Economics and Climate Change will be invaluable if you wish to work, or are already working, in a specialised area relating to climate change economics but also more broadly to any aspect of environmental and resource economics.

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Summary

The PgDip/MSc programme in Environmental Management with GIS aims to provide an advanced education in Environmental Management, specialising in environmental impact assessment, biodiversity management, pollution monitoring and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course aims to teach students the principles and practice of environmental management, the contribution of empirical and case study scientific research, and the manipulation and analysis of spatial environmental data.

About

This course aims to teach how environmental management and data handling tools, such as impact assessment, site conservation planning, environmental management systems, ecological monitoring and GIS are applied in making knowledge based decisions on managing the environment. This is considered in the context of environmental legislative/policy frameworks within which industry, government and voluntary bodies work.

Specific objectives are to:

• Understand the importance of evidence -based approach to environmental policy and strategic decision-making
• Apply quantitative techniques to assess the effects of environmental management
• Use GIS as a framework for collating, manipulating and managing spatial data relating to the environment
• Produce environmental impact statements and advise on implementing environmental management systems
• Apply structured planning principles to site biodiversity management and ecosystem restoration
• Monitor pollution and assess its environmental effects.

Students will be provided with a student copy of Esri ArcGIS software free of charge.

To take this course, you will need access to a computer with a fast internet connection. The course uses the Blackboard learning environment and the modules are delivered using online lectures, including practical and tutorial material. Students and staff interact via email, discussion boards and online chat. You will find that this course is much more flexible than traditional on-campus university courses as you can study using your own computer and the internet, at your own pace, any place and any time (within given timeframes).

Attendance

Fully online - part-time by distance learning. You do not need to visit Ulster at any stage to successfully complete this course.

The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Environmental Management with GIS and the Master of Science (MSc) Environmental Management with GIS are linked courses. You must successfully complete the PgDip (120 credit points) before transferring to the MSc (a further 60 credit points), i.e.to get the full MSc you complete 180 credit points in total.

The five taught modules which constitute the Postgraduate Diploma are taken over two years (4 semesters). Modules are available on a two year rotational basis so the order in which they are studied is dependent upon when you start the course.

For the MSc an additional two semesters are required to complete the project module i.e. three years in total part-time (6 semesters).

Career options

The majority of students on the course are already working in industry or public services and taking the course has helped them to gain promotion and/or change careers as a result of their new skills.

Key skills which will be developed are:

• Biodiversity management plans and site restoration design
• Ecological monitoring
• Environmental management systems
• Research analysis and data interpretation techniques
• Management, processing, analysis, interpretation and presentation of geo-spatial data
• Operation and use of Geographic Information Systems.

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The MSc Ecology and Environmental Management aims to develop advanced academic understandings and insight relating to ecology and the environmental management of natural resources. Field based elements are a significant part of the course.

Modules are designed to reflect staff research and professional expertise, and advance student’s professional and academic development. Students are supported to become accomplished independent researchers. On graduation they are expected to be highly employable in the area of ecology and environmental management.

The University is seeking professional accreditation for the MSc Ecology and Environmental Management, and hopes to achieve this before the end of academic year 2015/16.

The Department of Geography and Environmental Management hosts not only the MSc Ecology and Environmental Management, but also the internationally renowned ‘Sand Dune and Shingle Network’. The aim of the Network is to conserve these threatened habitats as dynamic landscapes. The Network supports field trips, research projects and placements for students on the MSc. For more details see http://coast.hope.ac.uk/

The course may be studied full time or part time. The starting date is for this course is September each year.


Curriculum

Principles and theories of ecology and environmental management (20 credits) - This module outlines and critically reviews the principles and theories of ecology and environmental management, including sustainability, and examines decision-making tools in environmental management including environmental assessment. Key concepts important for subsequent modules will be addressed. A field-based case study approach is used to investigate theories and principles in practice.

Research methods for ecology and environmental Management (20 credits) - This module provides students with the skills required to plan, undertake and communicate a Masters research project. The transferable skills covered include, for example: experimental design and analysis, GIS, academic writing, oral presentation skills and project management.

Biodiversity conservation (20 credits) - This module provides students with an in depth and critical understanding of the importance and urgency of biodiversity conservation. Using fieldwork and desk-top studies, students will develop a conservation site management plan for the benefit of biodiversity.

Coastal ecology, change and management (20 credits) - This module develops student’s critical understanding of one of the world’s most threatened environments – the coast. Using the UK as a geographic focus, coastal ecology, change and management are explored with a particular emphasis on coastal dunes and shingle. This module will include fieldwork which may be residential and international.

Field survey (20 credits) - Following the introductory lectures, this module is field based with normally a minimum of 5 days residential fieldwork, along with non-residential day/evening trips. The module allows students to develop their skills of investigative ecology in the field.

Professional skills for ecology and environmental management (10 credits) - This module develops the personal, academic and professional skills required by students operating in the areas of ecology and environmental management. Through small group teaching and individual tutorials the module works towards a focus on the CPD and personal development needs of students.

Professional practice for ecologists and environmental managers (10 credits) - This module develops the professional practice required by students operating in the areas of ecology and environmental management. It addresses the expected standards in research and professional practice, with recognition of the ethical considerations and obligations to the environment and to society. The module is delivered on a tutorial based model.

Research project (60 credits) - The research project module involves the design, execution and critical evaluation of an approved research topic and the presentation of the research in the form of a dissertation or professional report.

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This programme provides an accredited pathway for science-based graduates to become environmental health practitioners. It is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) as meeting its core curriculum requirements.

The course is taught using formal lectures; workshops; group work; case studies; practical simulations e.g. mock trial; industrial/commercial visits; and student centered learning. A virtual learning platform has been introduced to allow the students to identify hazards and risks within an industrial environment. It will provide students with a hands on opportunity for problem –solving.The course is taught using formal lectures; workshops; group work; case studies; practical simulations e.g. mock trial; industrial/commercial visits; and student centered learning. It is built around the foundation of knowledge and skills required by the CIEH.

This programme is aimed at UK/EU students. If you are an International student, please see the equivalent Public and Environmental Health MSc programme.

On completion of the MSc, students will need to undergo practical training in an approved organisation and complete their Portfolio of Professional Practice (PPP) to become a registered Environmental Health Practitioner. The Portfolio of Professional Practice (PPP) is a new CIEH assessment that forms part of the pathway to qualification as an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP). The portfolio is based upon the concepts of experiential learning and reflective practice and requires candidates to undertake a range of interventions, develop a range of skills and reflect upon their experiences. Further information can be found on the CIEH PPP pages.

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


The course is taught using formal lectures; workshops; group work; case studies; practical simulations e.g. mock trial; industrial/commercial visits; and student centered learning. It is built around the foundation of knowledge and skills required by the CIEH.

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Our Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Management MSc is a multidisciplinary course that will give you a deeper understanding of the processes and techniques for managing environmental change. You will develop skills to assess the causes and manage the consequences of environmental, climatic and land use changes, choosing either a research or a consultancy pathway to frame your study. 

Key benefits

• Your studies will focus on the delivery of essential technical skills (GIS, Remote Sensing, modelling and monitoring).
• You will form close links with departmental research groups and external organisations in the UK and beyond.
• Choose to study a research or consultancy pathway.

Description

The Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Management MSc course offers advanced-level core training in environmental modelling and monitoring, remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and in the research methods required to use them effectively.

You will examine how to assess the causes and consequences of environmental, climatic and land-use change, with the choice to follow a research pathway or a consultancy pathway. The two paths share key training elements but offer modules designed to support career development in two distinct spheres:

• The research path will link you with a departmental research group working on research aspects of environmental modelling and monitoring, and is designed explicitly for those going on to a career in research.
• The consultancy pathway focuses on the application of fundamental training for environmental management and is for those wanting to use their skills directly in environmental management.

The course is made up of optional and required modules. You will be expected to obtain the minimum of 180 credits to complete the course.

If you are studying full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying part-time, your course will take two years to complete. You will take the combination of required and optional modules over this period of time, with the dissertation in your second year.

Course purpose

For those seeking a deeper understanding of environmental processes and techniques for managing environmental change. Provides advanced-level training in the application of environmental modelling and monitoring, remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS) to environmental management and the prevention, mitigation or adaptation to environmental change.

Course format and assessment

Teaching

We will teach you through a combination of lectures and seminars, and you will typically have 20 hours of this per module. We also expect you to undertake 180 hours of independent study for each module. For your 12,000 word dissertation, we will provide four workshops and five hours of one-to-one supervision to complement your 587 hours of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Performance on taught modules in the Geography Department is normally assessed through essays and other written assignments, oral presentations, lab work and occasionally by examination, depending on the modules selected. All students also undertake a research-based dissertation of 12,000 words.

Career prospects

Many of our graduates have gone on to undertake further doctoral research as well as work as research assistants for international development agencies. There are good career opportunities with government agencies, international and national non-governmental organisations and academic research institutes.

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The MSc in Environmental Governance trains students to grasp some of the key environmental challenges of our time by developing their skills to apply sophisticated, critical and interdisciplinary sustainability and environmental theories at multiple scales and in different geographical contexts. As part of the programme, students have a unique opportunity to collaborate and engage with cutting-edge researchers and world leading experts on environmental governance, political ecology, Marxist political economy and urban sustainability.

The MSc in Environmental Governance is targeted at three audiences: future leaders interested in pursuing a career in environmental policy regulation and urban sustainable management; those wishing to develop further their academic career by pursuing a PhD; and environmental professionals wishing to deepen their knowledge.

Aims

-Interdisciplinary and sophisticated academic rigour: The course is highly interdisciplinary, exposing you to ideas and practices developed in a range of subject areas such as geography, environmental studies, politics, economics and development studies, rather than one alone. Our curriculum covers theories and interdisciplinary practices of environmental governance and offers you a comprehensive introduction to how human-use of the non-human world is organised at multiple scale and what the effects of this are.

-Inclusive and collaborative research environment: The degree offers collaboration with the internationally renowned Society-Environment Research Group (SERG) . This group involves more than ten researchers from the School of Environment, Education and Development , with distinguished records of theoretical, empirical and applied research in a range of geographical and environmental settings. This includes work on water and energy governance in Europe, Africa and South-East Asia; social, environmental and climate justice and equity in Central and Eastern Europe, smart cities and urban sustainability in the UK - to name but a few.

-Knowledge transfer and employability: We combine training in theory and critical thinking with more practical and applied elements. Our range of `real world' practitioners gives you the opportunity to liaise with external organisations on live policy problems and enhance your employability.

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the full-time programme over 24 months. There are NO evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme, therefore if you are considering taking a programme on a part-time basis, you should discuss the requirements with the Programme Director first and also seek approval from your employer to have the relevant time off. Timetabling information is normally available from late August from the Programme Administrator and you will have the opportunity to discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.

Career opportunities

The course responds to a growing need for social, economic and political experts in the environmental field, and our graduates are highly employable in what is an expanding sector. Graduates of this course possess theoretical knowledge, political understanding and practical research skills, preparing you for careers in either the public, private or voluntary environmental sectors, or for further research on environmental governance within a university or think-tank environment.

You will be equipped to work for organisations like the Environment Agency, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Soil Association, and the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture, among many others. Our students have been particularly successful in obtaining funded PhD places and gaining employment with private consultancies and international NGOs.

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Summary

The PgDip/MSc programme in Environmental Management and GIS aims to provide an advanced education in Environmental Management, with a strong emphasis on teaching the concepts and methods for analysing spatial environmental data which are encapsulated within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course aims to teach students the principles and practice of environmental management within the contexts of biodiversity management and the contribution of empirical and case study scientific research, as well as fostering advanced knowledge and skills in the manipulation and analysis of spatial environmental data.

About

This course aims to teach how environmental management tools, such as site conservation planning and environmental management systems, together with the data, tools and techniques of GIS, are applied in making knowledge-based decisions on managing the environment. This is considered in the context of environmental legislative/policy frameworks within which industry, government and voluntary bodies work.

Specific objectives are to:

• Understand the importance of evidence -based approach to environmental policy and strategic decision-making
• Apply quantitative techniques to assess the effects of environmental management
• Apply structured planning principles to site biodiversity management and ecosystem restoration
• Use GIS as a framework for collating, manipulating and managing spatial data relating to the environment
• Undertake analysis and modeling of environmental problems using GIS approaches
• Appreciate and address the impacts of scale and zoning on spatial data analysis

Students will be provided with a student copy of Esri ArcGIS software free of charge.

Attendance

Fully online - part-time by distance learning. You do not need to visit Ulster at any stage to successfully complete this course.

The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Environmental Management and GIS and the Master of Science (MSc) Environmental Management and GIS are linked courses. You must successfully complete the PgDip (120 credit points) before transferring to the MSc (a further 60 credit points), i.e.to get the full MSc you complete 180 credit points in total.

The six taught modules which constitute the Postgraduate Diploma are taken over two years (4 semesters).

For the MSc an additional two semesters are required to complete the project module i.e. three years in total part-time (6 semesters).

Career options

The majority of students on the course are already working in industry or public services and taking the course has helped them to gain promotion and/or change careers as a result of their new skills.

Key skills which will be developed are:

• Biodiversity management plans and site restoration design
• Ecological monitoring
• Environmental management systems
• Research analysis and data interpretation techniques
• Management, processing, analysis, interpretation and presentation of geo-spatial data
• Operation and use of Geographic Information Systems

Read less