Post-Graduate Courses in Environmental Management
The most challenging problems facing modern societies arise from the interaction of people and their environment. An understanding of the way in which social, economic, human and environmental systems interact is essential if goals such as sustainable development are to be achieved.
Students can undertake a one-year modular course leading to either an MSc or MA in Environmental Management. The title of the degree is determined by the mix of modules selected. Shorter, post-graduate Diploma and Certificate courses are also available.
These post-graduate courses in Environmental Management provide a foundation in the science of environmental management and give an insight into the environmental issues which shape environmental policy at local, national and international levels. These themes are combined with a sound practical training in environmental management. Modules offered allow students to develop skills in the collection, processing and analysis of environmental data and in project management.
As part of the Masters programmes, students are encouraged to undertake a dissertation in association with outside organisations so as to develop their skills in the context of real world problems and issues. The dissertation may be undertaken either in the UK or in a recognised international centre.
The teaching programme brings together staff from the School of Geography, Life Science, Physiology and Environmental Science, Agriculture and Horticulture, Mineral Resources Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics and Law, together with members of the Institute of Planning Studies and the School of Social Studies. Each are active researchers in their field and have extensive experience in the practical problems of environmental management.
About the Courses…
There are four post-graduate courses available:
PhD/DSc/Grand PhD in Environmental Management
MSc in Environmental Management
MA in Environmental Management
Diploma in Environmental Management
Certificate in Environmental Management
and
Ph.D. and D.Sc. Degrees/Courses available at the Faculty.
The courses cater for a range of needs and interests within the general area of environmental management. All students take a series of core modules and then choose optional elements from the modules offered across the University. This allows students to specialise in one of a number of different thematic areas.
These presently include:
Agro-ecosystem
Cities and Sustainability
Coastal Zone Management
Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management
Environmental Assessment and Site Investigation
Integrated River Basin Management
Landscape Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife
Measurement, Analysis and Modelling
People, Health and Development
Pollution and Waste
IUFS World Water Programme
Hydrology and Water Resources/Hydrolic Engineering
Other pathways can be constructed to suit the individual needs of students.
The courses build upon the depth of expertise in environmental management found throughout the University. The core and optional modules are taught by staff from:
Agriculture and Horticulture
Civil Engineering
Economics
Geography
Law
Life Science
Mineral Resources Engineering
Physical and Environmental Science
Planning Studies
Social Studies
The courses start in October each year. The Masters courses last 12 months for a full-time student, but may be undertaken on a part-time basis over a minimum of 24 months. The Diploma and Certificate courses may be completed in ten months. They too can be undertaken on a part-time basis, and provide one means of entry on to the Masters programmes.
Entry Requirements
For entry on to these courses candidates should hold a good first degree from an approved University, although other equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience may be acceptable, particularly for the Diploma and Certificate courses. Overseas candidates should also hold a qualification in English Language, equivalent to a minimum of 550 on TOEFL or 6.0 on IELTS. English Language courses are available prior to admission onto the courses.
MSc, MPhil, and MA Course Structure…
The Masters programmes have been designed to help students understand the interaction of people and their environment. The modules offered, therefore, cover a range of science and social science issues. The students elect for the MSc or MA programme depending upon where they want the emphasis of their studies to lie. Whether they decide to undertake an MSc or MA, however, all students follow a common set of compulsory core modules:
Semester 1
Foundations of Environmental Management:
in which students gain an insight into the scientific basis of environmental systems and the nature of human impact upon them.
Frameworks for Environmental Management:
in which students study the legal, economic, and social aspects of environmental management. Topics covered include UK, European and International environmental law, issues of environmental management arising out of economic externalities, property-rights, and inter-temporal considerations, together with environmental history and the character of ecocentric and human approaches to environmental management.
Approaches to Environmental Management:
in which students gain experience of the major conceptual frameworks supporting management decisions at the local, national and international scales. Topics covered include the development of management plans, environmental assessment, policy audit and policy appraisal; risk assessment and the management of risk.
Semester 2
Environmental Data Handling and Modelling:
in which students gain skills in the capture and processing of environmental data by the design of survey and monitoring programmes, and the study of important data handling technologies such as geographical information systems and remote sensing.
Project Management for Environmental Managers:
in which students gain first hand experience of a real environmental management issue by working as a member of a team for a real world client’. During the management exercise students are briefed on issues of time and resource management, the tendering and reporting process, and the development of project proposals.
Advanced Readings in Environmental Management:
in which students undertake the more detailed study of a topic of their choice to an advanced level, and present their findings both as a written report and in a seminar to their peers.
All of the taught core modules have been designed especially for the Masters course. Students may build on this core and tailor a course that suits their particular needs by selecting from the many environmental modules taught across the University. For example, students may select options that will allow the study of the following themes:
Agro-ecosystems
Cities and Sustainability
Coastal Zone Management
Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management
Environmental Assessment and Site Investigation
Integrated River Basin Management
Landscape Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife
Measurement, Analysis and Modelling
People, Health and Development
Pollution and Waste
It is through the choice of pathways that students determine whether they graduate with an MSc or MA degree.
Assessment
Assessment on the core and optional elements will be by examination and coursework. To complete the Masters programmes students must accumulate 180 credits. In the taught part of the course the core modules account for 80 credits, and the optional elements a further 40. Following the successful completion of the taught elements, students will undertake a dissertation, equivalent to 60 credits, on a topic of their choice.
In undertaking their dissertation students are encouraged to work with an outside organisation in order to gain as much real world experience as possible. The work will be supervised by a member of staff from the University. With approval, arrangements can be made for the dissertation to be undertaken in a recognised overseas centre.
Diploma and Certificate Course Structure…
The Diploma and Certificate Courses have, like the Masters Programmes, been designed to help students understand the interaction of people and their environment. The modules offered, therefore, cover a range of science and social science issues. All students follow a common set of compulsory, core modules, although there are fewer compulsory elements required for the Certificate:
Semester 1
Foundations of Environmental Management:
in which students gain an insight into the scientific basis of environmental systems and the nature of human impact upon them.
Frameworks for Environmental Management:
in which students study the legal, economic, and social aspects of environmental management. Topics covered include UK, European and International environmental law, issues of environmental management arising out of economic externalities, property-rights, and inter-temporal considerations, together with environmental history and the character of ecocentric and human approaches to environmental management.
Approaches to Environmental Management:
in which students gain experience of the major conceptual frameworks supporting management decisions at the local, national and international scales. Topics covered include the development of management plans, environmental assessment, policy audit and policy appraisal; risk assessment and the management of risk.
Semester 2
Environmental Data Handling and Modelling:
in which students gain skills in the capture and processing of environmental data by the design of survey and monitoring programmes, and the study of important data handling technologies such as geographical information systems and remote sensing.
Project Management for Environmental Managers (Diploma students only):
in which students gain first hand experience of a real environmental management issue by working as a member of a team for a real world client’. During the management exercise students are briefed on issues of time and resource management, the tendering and reporting process, and the development of project proposals.
Advanced Readings in Environmental Management (Diploma students only):
in which students undertake the more detailed study of a topic of their choice to an advanced level, and present their findings both as a written report and in a seminar to their peers.
Students may build on this core and tailor a course that suits their particular needs by selecting from the many environmental modules taught across the University. For example students may select options that will allow the study of the following themes:
Students may build on this core and tailor a course that suits their particular needs by selecting from the many environmental modules taught across the University. For example students may select options that will allow the study of the following themes:
Agro-ecosystems
Cities and Sustainability
Coastal Zone Management
Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management
Environmental Assessment and Site Investigation
Integrated River Basin Management
Landscape Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife
Measurement, Analysis and Modelling
People, Health and Development
Pollution and Waste
Assessment
Diploma: Assessment on the core and optional elements will be by examination and coursework. To complete the Diploma students must accumulate 120 credits. The core modules account for 80 credits and the optional elements a further 40.
Certificate: Assessment on the core and optional elements will be by examination and coursework. Certificate students must also take 120 credits, but more options are available from the many second and third year undergraduate modules offered across the University. The core modules account for 55 credits and the optional elements a further 65.
Selecting Your Specialist Pathway …
By selecting appropriate options, and a related topic for their advanced readings module and dissertation, students can follow one of a number of thematic pathways through the teaching programme. All pathways have the following core modules:
Semester 1
Foundations of Environmental Management (15 credits)
Frameworks for Environmental Management (15 credits)
Approaches to Environmental Management (15 credits)
Semester 2
Data Handling and Modelling (15 credits)
Project Management for Environmental Managers (15 credits)*
Advanced Readings in Environmental Management (15 credits)*
* not compulsory for Certificate students
Masters students go on to take a dissertation after Semester 2 (60 credits)
Agro-ecosystems:
This pathway allows students to draw upon many of the modules offered by the MSc in Agronomy which can also be taken at the University. This pathway allows students to combine their study of environmental management issues with an understanding of the structure and function of agricultural ecosystems. If you select this theme, your pathway, in addition to the core modules detailed above, will be:
Semester 1
Principles of Crop Production (10 credits)
Principles of Environmental Measurement (10 credits)
Statistics and Experimental Design (10 credits)
Vegetation and Environment Interactions (10 credits)
Soil and Water Science (10 credits)
Semester 2
Crop Protection (10 credits)
Temperate Field Crops (10 credits)
Tropical Field Crops (10 credits)
Environmental Modelling (10 credits)
Cities and Sustainability:
This pathway has been designed to give an insight into the important issues affecting the management of urban systems, social and economical environmental issues and the design of sustainable urban systems. If you select this theme, in addition to the core modules detailed above, your pathway through the course would have the following pattern:
Semester 1
Problems and Policies in Urban Environments (10 credits)
Architecture and Ecology (10 credits)
Semester 2
Population, Health and Development (10 credits)
Sustainable Cities (10 credits)
Environmental Impact of Traffic (10 credits)
Coastal Zone Management:
This pathway has been designed to give an insight into the integration of social, economic and political systems with natural coastal systems. A particular issue addressed is the extent to which sustainable management strategies can be developed. If you select this theme, your pathway through the course, in addition to the core modules detailed above, would have the following pattern:
Semester 1
Coastal Dynamics (10 credits)
River Dynamics (10 credits)
Semester 2
Coastal Management (10 credits)
River Management (10 credits)
Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management:
This pathway has been designed to give students an insight into the biological basis of conservation. If you select this theme you would study aspects of ecosystems management and the conservation of biodiversities. Your pathway , in addition to the core modules detailed above, would draw upon the following elements:
Semester 1
Landscape Ecology (10 credits)
Semester 2
Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife Management (20 credits)
Bird Biology and Conservation (20 credits)
Environmental Assessment and Site Investigation:
This pathway draws upon some of the modules offered by the MSc in Environmental Engineering which can also be taken at the University. This theme allows students to gain experience of the ways in which environmental assessments are made in the UK and elsewhere, and how detailed site investigations are made in order to plan for the future management and use of land. If you follow this theme, your pathway, in addition to the core modules detailed above, will be:
Semester 1
Site Investigation (10 credits)
Geology and Hydrogeology (10 credits)
Integrated River Basin Management:
Integrated river basin management represents the most comprehensive form of terrestrial water resources control management. In this pathway you will study the key hydrological and geomorphological concepts, together with the legal and planning implications of management of rivers at the basin scale. If you select this theme, your pathway through the course, in addition to the core modules detailed above, would have the following pattern:
Semester 1
Integrated River Basin Management (10 credits)
River Dynamics (10 credits)
Hillslope Dynamics (10 credits)
Landscape Ecology (10 credits)
Semester 2
River Management (10 credits)
Hillslope Management (10 credits)
Landscape Management (10 credits)
Landscape Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife Management:
This pathway has been designed to give a grounding in the management of ecological resources and a variety of spatial and temporal scales. On this pathway you would study the management of species, sites and whole landscapes, draw upon material from a range of ecosystems around the world. If you select this theme, in addition to the core modules detailed above, your pathway would draw upon the following elements:
Semester 1
Landscape Ecology (10 credits)
Integrated River Basin Management (10 credits)
Semester 2
Landscape Management (10 credits)
River Management (10 credits)
Ecology, Conservation and Wildlife Management (20 credits)
Bird Biology and Conservation (20 credits)
Measurement, Analysis and Modelling:
This pathway allows students to draw upon many of the modules offered by the MSc in Environmental Science, which can also be taken at the University. This pathway allows you to combine the study of environmental management with a more fundamental understanding of the measurement and analysis of environmental processes. If you select this theme, your pathway, in addition to the core modules detailed above, will be:
Semester 1
Principles of Environmental Measurement (10 credits)
Principles of Soil and Water Science (10 credits)
Principles of Atmosphere-Biosphere Interactions (10 credits)
Vegetation and Environment Interactions (10 credits)
Soil and Water Science (10 credits)
Semester 2
Soil and Water Pollution and Reclamation (10 credits)
Air Pollution (10 credits)
Environmental Programming (10 credits)
Environmental Modelling (10 credits)
People, Health and Development:
This pathway focuses on the population, health and associated policies as economic and social development processes. Issues of urbanisation and rural development will be considered, drawing upon material from a range of developed and developing countries. If you select this theme, your pathway, in addition to the core modules detailed above, will be:
Semester 1
The Geography and Health and Welfare (10 credits)
Rural Development in Less Developed Countries (10 credits)
Semester 2
Population, Health and Development (10 credits)
Decentralised Planning in Less Developed Countries (10 credits)
Pollution and Waste:
The management of pollution and waste is a fundamental problem facing modern societies. In this pathway students will gain an insight into some fundamental concepts of environmental engineering, environmental protection, and the management of human and natural impacts upon the natural and built environment. This pathway draws upon modules offered by the MSc in Environmental Engineering, which can also be taken at the University. If you select this theme, in addition to the core modules detailed above, your pathway will be:
Semester 1
Pollution I (10 credits)
Waste processing (10 credits)
Semester 2
Pollution II (10 credits)
Environmental Assessment (10 credits)
The faculty offers/awards Ph.D. and D.Sc. science degrees as well as Honours of the Academician and Professorship.