Masters Degrees in Environmental Physiology, United Kingdom

Delivering global food security is one of the critical challenges of the 21st century. Each nation needs to balance local and national production with imports and consider the environmental and economic impact of their policies. This MSc draws together critical components such as the contribution of climate change, biodiversity, water, soil, land use, labour, nutrition transition and urbanisation. The course will appeal if you want to influence global food security and enjoy contributing to cutting-edge research.

The course is science-led, but includes options in business, social sciences and international environmental law, which provide insight to contemporary food production systems. You’ll undertake seven core modules (Crop Physiology & Production; Advances in Crop Protection; Soil, Water & Plant Mineral Nutrition; Climate Change; Environmental Accounting; Organic & Low Input Systems; Challenges of Global Food Security) and up to three further optional modules. You’ll also undertake a laboratory- or desk-based project or a placement at a host organisation.

You’ll leave prepared for a career in a wide range of public and commercial enterprises such as government agencies, NGOs, food businesses and consultancies related to food production and the supply chain.

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Sustainable food production is increasingly important as the human population grows: we need to produce more food, more sustainably. This MSc, taught by world-class researchers, provides a unique opportunity for you to gain a rigorous scientific background if you are aiming for a career in habitat management, crop production, plant physiology, ecological research, scientific communication or agricultural policy.

Cutting-edge programme topics include sustainable agricultural intensification and food production; agri-environment schemes; organic farming; land sparing; genetically modified crops; emerging crops; effects of climate change and mitigation measures; interactions between managed species and the environment; ecosystem services including pollination; pest/disease control; and maximising production while minimising environmental impacts.

The programme covers a broad but highly applied subject area; the focus ranges from the molecular to the global level. You will also develop transferable skills including statistics, data handling, scientific writing, and research methods. This programme may provide a springboard to PhD research or lead to a career in industry, including management and technical career paths, policy, conservation, charities or NGOs, or ecological consultancy.

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Your programme of study

Ecology is an important discipline to inform many different environmental management issues which often involve wider impacts being assessed for planning and other purposes. There is an increasing desire to utilise sites which are environmentally sensitive and this puts pressure on ecology and habitat survival. There are many other types of environmental impacts which are often hidden but also affect Ecology such as the many different pollutants which are often highlighted monthly. Species decline is becoming a well known issue globally and the ability to maintain and continue species and grow is important in a declining environment.

The programme comes from a very strong department which has been ranked consistently at number 1 in soil science and soil ecology in the UK (REF 2014). The Master's in Ecology has very solid foundations as it has been taught to generations for over 50 years and with this comes considerable knowledge and experience. With this programme you get a chance to influence how we utilise our environment and manage it to the best ability to preserve our ecology.

Our MSc programme provides flexibility to enable you to gain knowledge and skills to meet your career aspirations, whether in research or as a practicing ecologist. The programme runs through a full year, starting with a field course and culminating in a major research project. You will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience of everything from field survey to chairing discussions, from statistics and modelling to report writing and from identifying important ecological questions to researching them and writing a scientific paper. Previous graduates have gone on to the top of their chosen profession in research, consultancy, conservation, policy, education and advocacy.

Courses listed for the programme

Semester 1
Experimental Design and Analysis
Introduction to GIS
Plant Ecology
Population and Community Ecology

Optional Courses
Statistics for Complex Study Designs
Introduction to Ecological Field Research in Northern Scotland
Molecular Ecological Techniques
Soils for Food Security
Aquaculture
Introduction to Bayesian Inference

Semester 2
Compulsory
Research Project Planning
Optional
Environmental Impact Assessment
Spatial Information Analysis
Marine Spatial Management and Top Predators
Readings in Ecology, Conservation and Environment
Ecology, Conservation and Society
Catchment Management
Environmental Management Plan
Applied Forest Ecology
Advanced Modelling for Ecology and Conservation

Semester 3
Project in Ecology

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/925/ecology-and-conservation/

Why study at Aberdeen?

• Ecology has been taught at Aberdeen for over 50 years and Plant Ecology and Soil Science is No 1 in the UK (REF 2014)
• You will be taught be known ecologists who are active in research, management and nature conservation
• Aberdeen is ideally situated to take full advantage of coastal, inland, rural and wild landscapes and environments

Where you study

• University of Aberdeen
• Full Time and Part Time
• September

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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NEW PROGRAMME

The Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) is excited to announce the launch of a new programme entitled MSc Agroecology, Water and Food Sovereignty (title subject to validation), which will commence in September 2018. The programme will encompass enhanced knowledge from our now larger team of experts and will be informed by recent research. This will replace the MSc in Agroecology and Food Security which will run for the last time in the September 2017-18 academic year. Please check our website for details which will be published very soon.

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Food security is of critical concern globally, and the development of food systems that provide food of high quality and quantity in a sustainable way, is now a research and policy priority.

The MSc in Agroecology and Food Security is designed to equip professionals and graduates with the knowledge to critically analyse and assess the relationships between agroecological food production and management, farming systems, climate change economics and the environment.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

Run by Coventry University's Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) whose mission is to create resilient food systems worldwide, the course:

-Draws on the outstanding range of academic and practical expertise of CAWR staff plus world-renowned guest lecturers

-Is designed for students from a variety of different academic and professional backgrounds and from the natural and social sciences (e.g. previous experience of agriculture not necessary)

-Provides unique content in terms of its cutting edge focus on transforming the food system through alternative paradigms, concepts, and methodologies to enable real and equitable change

-Is based at the UK’s national centre for organic horticulture in 10 acres of organic gardens.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The course will provide you with the knowledge of the major agricultural production systems found in different parts of the world and the main theoretical approaches to understanding contemporary food systems.

The course covers a range of subject areas including:

• Food security; 
• agroecological production systems; 
• clean energy, climate and carbon; 
• agroecological techniques and practices; 
• stabilisation agriculture;
• gender, food systems and natural resources; 
• environmental impact assessment; 
• ecological management and assessment;
• international environmental law;
• remote sensing and digital image analysis; 
• project management.

For each module, teaching normally takes the form of weekly 'face-to-face' contact at the University (including lectures, workshops, seminars and exercises) throughout each semester, with associated directed and self directed study, which may be undertaken off-campus.

HOW WILL THIS COURSE ENHANCE MY CAREER PROSPECTS?

All students undertake an individual research project, which may be associated with an appropriate organisation or company in the UK or overseas. Equipped with a detailed understanding of food systems and a range of appropriate practical skills your potential for employment will be strong.

Opportunities present themselves in national and international government agencies, non governmental policy, research and development organisations, the private sector including food companies and the farming sector.

GLOBAL LEADERS PROGRAMME

To prepare students for the challenges of the global employment market and to strengthen and develop their broader personal and professional skills Coventry University has developed a unique Global Leaders Programme.

The objectives of the programme, in which postgraduate and eligible undergraduate students can participate, is to provide practical career workshops and enable participants to experience different business cultures.

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Your programme of study

If you are interested in earth science, and environmental science but you want to specialise in the study of soil specifically the Aberdeen programme gives you in depth knowledge and a range of experts and alumni who consult at government level. Aberdeen is further supported by having the James Hutton Institute within the city limits, a notable institute specialising in soil science over the years known formerly the Macaulay Institute.

Soil Science is becoming increasingly important to our ability to sustain life on earth as we look at how to keep the soil clean from pollutants in water, air and polluting industries, pesticides and all sorts of changes to soil. There are also growing concerns that as the population increases and climate change also increases how do we farm in the future? The degree gives you all the skills and knowledge you need to work as a soil scientist either as a researcher, within government or regulation or as a consultant working with industry and other organisations devoted to soil science.

You learn about soil science, sustainability, land use planning, food security, GIS, and land use with intensive laboratory analysis from one of the top centres in the world for soil science. We also take you into the field to study specific situations and you are guided by our world renowned researchers in the environmental sciences. This is one of only a handful of Soil Science programmes with cutting edge technologies to help you analyse and study soil in depth. Soil science falls within agricultural sciences which were ranked No. 1 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014) and the highly acclaimed Environmental Science disciplines which Aberdeen has made a name for itself in over the years.

Courses listed for the programme

Semester 1
Core Skills in Environmental Science
Global Soil Geography
Soils for Food Security
Applications for GIS

Semester 2
Environmental Analysis
Land Use and the Changing Environment on Deesside
Optional
Environmental Impact Assessment
Remediation Technology
Catchment Management
Ecological and Environmental Modelling

Semester 3
Project in Soil Science

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/304/soil-science/

Why study at Aberdeen?

• Research at Aberdeen within agricultural and earth sciences is ranked No.1 (REF)
• You study all methods of analysis and field work to understand the full range of issues within soil and land use which affect the
ability to grow crops
• One of our team developed the award winning 'Cool Farm Tool.' Dr John Hillier developed this to calculate greenhouse gas. The
tool is used by known brands such as Marks and Spencer, Costco and Heinx

Where you study

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

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 course

This course is uniquely broad in its coverage, reflecting the range of knowledge and skills required to address the challenges of energy, climate change and sustainable development. Business, society and policy makers are recognising that change is required at all levels of society if we are to address the challenge of sustainable energy and development that meets the needs of future generations.

This course will allow you to understand how sustainable development can be achieved and how we can deal with global climate change through sustainable energy, more efficient design and manufacturing, better management of buildings, organisations and behaviour change. You are able to choose from a range of modules to focus either on more general sustainable development, policy and behaviour change or consider strategies for business and industrial sustainability. If you want to be equipped, challenged or re-trained to lead communities, organisations and governments in responding to this challenge then this course is for you.

The course is suitable for graduates from a variety of disciplines with either a social science or physical science background. It is also suitable for mid-career professionals with relevant experience. The course has been accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute for completing the educational requirements for chartered engineer registration.

Reasons to Study:

• Academic and research expertise
With more than 30-year’s research experience, our Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD) research and teaching staff provide students with a unique opportunity to learn from scientists actively involved in furthering knowledge and sharing expertise

• Flexible study options
the course is designed to be flexible and fit around you with on campus, part-time or full-time or distance learning options, and multiple exit awards from a full master’s to a single module

• Course content relevant to modern day practice
This course has evolved from input from established courses delivered by the IESD, relevant research projects and industry-related issues are covered to ensure you gain the relevant knowledge and expertise required for when you graduate

• Study a wide range of specialist modules
course content is regularly reviewed and modules have been specifically developed to address skills gaps in the industry

• Excellent graduate prospects
graduates have gone on to work for global companies including the Carbon trust, BMW, National Grid and the European Commission; as well as a variety of other energy and environmental consultancies, central and local government and multinational organisations

Course Structure

Modules

• Sustainable Development
• Sustainable Energy
• Energy in Buildings
• Resource-Efficient Design
• Energy Analysis Techniques
• Research Methods

Optional Modules:
• Integrated Environmental Strategies
• Leading Change for Sustainability
• Low-Impact Manufacturing
• Green Business

You will complete the MSc by undertaking a research project on a topic of your choice, supervised by an experienced member of research staff.

Teaching and assessment

Full-time students attend for two days each week and receive formal lectures from experienced researchers and teaching staff, complemented by informal seminars and group discussions. Part-time students attend one day per week. You will also be expected to undertake self-directed study.

Distance learning students follow a structured study plan provided on the VLE, supported by discussion forums with other students, and email and telephone conversations with the module leader.

All assessment is by coursework. Each taught module has two items of coursework. The first is a smaller assignment, on which prompt feedback is given while the module is being studied. A second, major assignment is submitted after the material has been assimilated.

As well as the eight taught modules, students complete either an individual dissertation or a team-based design project, and all students get to attend the annual MSc conference, where final year students present.

Contact and learning hours

You will normally attend two-four hours of timetabled taught sessions each week for each module undertaken during term time; for full time study this would be 12 hours per week during term time. You can also expect to typically undertake a further hours of six hours independent study and assignments as required per week.

To find out more

To learn more about this course and DMU, visit our website:
Postgraduate open days: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/open-evenings/postgraduate-open-days.aspx

Applying for a postgraduate course:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply.aspx

Funding for postgraduate students
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/postgraduate-funding-2017-18/postgraduate-funding-2017-18.aspx

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This postgraduate qualification is designed for those with an academic or professional interest in mental health science and the biological and psychological underpinnings of this discipline. It equips students with the necessary skills to critically evaluate the current literature, discuss contemporary issues and communicate a critical understanding of key topics in mental health science.

Those who qualify from this programme, will have carried out an academically rigorous research project, and have developed the skills and knowledge that are relevant for pursuing a research career, for employment, and to inform professional practice.

Key features of the course

•Develops knowledge and understanding of key topics (stress, anxiety, depression, psychosis and dementia)
•Explores current issues and research at the forefront of mental health science
•Develops skills that are essential for a critical understanding and needed for professional practice
•Culminates with an in-depth individual research project in an area of mental health science.

This qualification is eligible for a Postgraduate Loan available from Student Finance England.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to mental health science (S826)
• Core topics in mental health science: psychosis and dementia (SD816)
• MSc project module for MSc in Mental Health Science (SXH810)

Modules should be studied in the order listed above. The project module can only be taken after completion of the first two modules.

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Credit transfer

If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

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