This MSc in Environmental Science has a particularly strong scientific underpinning to environmental analysis, with nearly 100 hours of practical and laboratory work. Established in 1991, it combines the joint expertise of two departments from two universities: Civil Engineering from Strathclyde and Chemistry from Glasgow. Moreover, the course is delivered in collaboration with the most important environmental public sector organisation in Scotland (the Scottish Environment Protection Agency - SEPA). This ensures wide access to practitioners' knowledge and understanding of the scientific processes, procedures and policies involved in the day-to-day management of the environment. In effect, this MSc is the only truly cross-disciplinary, science-based postgraduate course of its kind in Scotland.
The MSc in Environmental Science is offered jointly by the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow and the awards are made in the name of both universities. The course, which is available full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 years), is offered to students from earth, biological and physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, environmental management, and other relevant disciplines.
The Environmental Science Programme and its International Context
This MSc covers the fundamental scientific concepts of environmental science and environmental analysis. Students gain the theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of the chemical, physical, biological and mathematical methods required to assess, monitor, manage and model the environment. The collaboration of different scientific disciplines is one of the main strengths of this course, which is particularly relevant to tackling the environmental sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
This course is particularly suited to graduates with a background and/or experience in the chemical, physical, biological and mathematical sciences. The aims of this course are:
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills to describe and apply the chemical, physical, biological and mathematical theories to allow an understanding of the nature of, and changes in, the environment.
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills to describe and determine how the environment is influenced by human activity.
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills to describe the basic principles and instruments of current environmental legislation and the regulatory requirements and methods of environmental appraisal and impact assessment.
- To develop students' employability through the acquisition of specific knowledge and skills consistent with employers' expectations within the 'environment' sector.
- To develop the ability to think independently, to solve open-ended problems and to operate in a creative domain.
- To develop the ability to make sound judgements in relation to environmental science and sustainability.
- To develop students' interpersonal and team-working skills, as well as a range of 'professional transferable' key skills in numeracy, communication and presentation, use of computer technologies, data extraction and analysis.
- To think and act holistically with regard to environmental and sustainability issues.
Structure of the Environmental Science Programme
The Diploma and MSc courses run concurrently, involving a curriculum of six core modules (totalling 100 credits) and a range of optional modules (minimum of 20 credits). Each University is responsible for 60 taught credits. Each module is taught two to three hours per week over eight to 12 weeks. In addition, MSc students undertake a dissertation (60 credits). Progress to the MSc is dependent on performance in the instructional modules.
For part-time study the modules can be taken over two years (attending classes typically one day per week) with the dissertation completed in years two or three. In addition to the dissertation topics proposed by course leaders and industrial partners, students may propose topics themselves that can be of relevance to their employer.
Core Modules
University of Strathclyde - Civil Engineering:
- Air Pollution Control
- Atmospheric Pollution Impact Assessment
- Research Methodology with Environmental Monitoring & Analysis
University of Glasgow - Chemistry:
- Science of the Natural Environment: Fundamental Principles
- Science of the Natural Environment: Applications
- Water Pollution
Optional Modules
(All taught by Strathclyde - not all classes may be offered each year)
- Fundamentals of Environmental Forensics
- Ecology, Biodiversity and Sustainability
- Pollution and Rehabilitation of Degraded Ecosystems
- Principles of Sustainable Development
- Environmental Management Systems
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Spatial Query and Analysis using GIS
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation
Entry Requirements
MSc: At least a second-class Honours degree from a UK University (or equivalent) in earth, biological and physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, environmental management, and other relevant disciplines; two supportive academic references; and/or appropriate professional experience or achievements.
PgDip: A wider range of qualifications will be considered by the course leader.
In all cases, for candidates whose first language is not English, minimum standards of written and spoken English are a TOEFL score of 600, TOEFL internet based test of 100, TOEFL computer based test of 250 or an IELTS score of 6.5.
Normal course length
MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
PgDip: 9 months full-time; 18 months part-time
PgCert: 6 months full-time; 12 months part-time
Career Prospects
There is a global demand for scientists trained in environmental science, and this course has been designed to produce such individuals. The success rate of the graduates is high and they have obtained employment in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Their jobs have included environmental scientists, sustainable development officers, environmental consultants, and environmental regulation officers. The course has been designed so that people from industry can complete the MSc in part-time mode over 2-3 years.
Contact
Joint Course Leaders:
Dr Charles Knapp (Civil Eng, Strathclyde)
Dr Hugh Flowers (Chemistry, Glasgow)
t: +44 (0)141 548 4078
e: dlcs@strath.ac.uk
