Environmental Sciences

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

V Louca

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

The aim of the course is to enhance research and personal development skills, and to introduce relevant and imperative tools and proficiencies to aid their MSc progress.
Learning Outcomes: The skills component of this course will ensure that students are aware of:
1. The requirements of the MSc programme, including timetabling and programme overview, use of Web-CT and university support services and how to use them effectively;
2. University regulations, including plagiarism and use of Turnitin;
3. Computer software packages including PowerPoint, Excel and statistical programmes;
4. Referencing styles and requirements, reference search engines, use of journals for scientific writing;
5. Enhanced scientific writing and presentation skills.
And by the end of this course, students will have greater understanding and experience of:
6. Data handling, analysis and interpretation of results;
7. Statistical tests and computer software for conducting analyses.

Structure

Approximately 6-12 hours per week, a series of 2-4 hour computer based sessions.

Assessment

2 written assessments (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

G Nicol

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

The course starts with an introduction to microbiology and then covers soil and aquatic microbial ecology, and bacterial, archaeal and fungal ecology. Microbial diversity and ecosystem function are covered with an emphasis on molecular techniques. There is also a computer-based practical on phylogeny. The course continues with an introduction to environmental biotechnology and then covers reporter and marker genes, biosensors, bioremediation, geomicrobiology, plant biotechnology, and the application of molecular techniques in biotechnology. There is also a tutorial on genetically modified crops and ethics, as well as background on commercial exploitation of biotechnology, and a laboratory-based practical.

Structure

3 two-hour lectures per week, 2 guest lectures, 2 tutorials, 2 three-hour practicals.

Assessment

Continuous assessment based on a presentation (35%) and a grant application (75%); no written examination.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme Paton

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Literature review of scientific literature.

Structure

1 one-hour introductory tutorial, 1 two-hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

Continuous assessment based on 3 written assessments: 2 short assessments (15% each) and 1 written literature review (70%); no written examination.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme I Paton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Bacteria, archaea, fungi
Microbiological techniques: aseptic techniques, media preparation, culture techniques (aerobic/anaerobic), identification, staining, batch culture, enumeration
Culture collections & maintenance of cultures
Winogradsky columns

Structure

10 three-hour practicals/tutorials.

Assessment

Continuous assessment based on a laboratory notebook (100%), no written examination.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed.

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the wealth of environmental monitoring methodologies available, and of the ways in which data acquired from observations can be used to understand the system being studied.

At the end of the course, students will be able to identify the most appropriate monitoring methodology for a particular set of environmental indicators, and to identify the GIS-based method most appropriate to
• Detect patterns in the acquired data
• Identify relationships between different indicators.
• Monitoring methodologies studied will be predominantly remote sensing (i.e., satellite, aerial photography) but will also consider ground-based approaches.

Structure

Assessment

One project report (100%).

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

TBA

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

x

Structure

Assessment

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Prof. Graeme Paton

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Research and investigation project involving (where applicable) project planning, experimental design, sampling design, independent data collection, modelling and interpretation

Structure

No formal contact but regular meetings with supervisory team for the research project as well as technical supervision in the laboratory and/or field (as appropriate).

Assessment

The Environmental Science Research & Investigation project write-up will be in the syle of a manuscript for an agreed academic journal reflecting the particular discipline of the research project conducted. The field/laboratory notebook will also be submitted to ensure that the data are original and collected by the student. Marks are awarded both on account of the quality of the research performed, on the data analysis carried out, as well as the presentation and interpretation of the results. There are two internal University markers, one of them being the project supervisor.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

S McMellor

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Topics covered in the course will include:

Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Data collection using GPS
Data processing, inserting XY data
Creating and exporting maps
Fundamentals of using a GIS software (ArcMap & ArcCatalog)
Single layer operations: reclassifying, displaying, add & calculate fields, spatial statistics, buffer, pattern analysis and aggregations
Mutile layer operations: relating & joining tables, clipping, overlaying, distance
Surface analysis (Hydrological Modelling)

Structure

2 two hour lectures and 2 practicals (one half day and one full day) per week.

Assessment

100% continuous assessment (divided as follows: creating & exporting map (25%), group prsentation (25%) and individual practical test (50%))

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme Nicol

Pre-requisites

Only available to students enrolled in MSc/PG Diploma Environmental Microbiology.

Overview

x

Structure

3 two-hour lectures; 3 three-hour practicals; 1 three hour seminar.

Assessment

Practical report (70%) and presentation (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

G Norton

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Aims: To provide a sound insight into the basis of the chemical analysis of selected ecological materials such as plants, soils, natural waters and the atmosphere.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course you should:

1. be able to plan sampling strategies for investigation of any specified environmental problem.

2. have a reasonable knowledge of sampling, subsampling and sample preparation procedures.

3. be capable of working from books and papers, rather than simplified instruction sheets.

4. have a working knowledge of selected modern methods of instrumental analysis.

5. be capable of handling routine analytical calculations.

Structure

3 lectures per week, and a mini project.

Assessment

Assessments are a project plan, project presentation and write up of the project.

Credit Points

90

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme I Paton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Course Aims:
To demonstrate critical thinking within a selected research subject
To collect, manage and interpret empirical and/or modelled data
To write in a scientific manner similar to that required by peer-reviewed publications

Main Learning Outcomes:
How to manage time and resources in a research project
To review scientific literature
How to link project data to scientific literature findings
To interpret data and present it in a valid and critical manner
To develop a critical appraisal of a research project and place this in a scientific context
To demonstrate written and oral communication as a research scientist
To maintain a laboratory or field notebook

Content: Research project involving independent data collection, modelling and interpretation.

Structure

No formal contact but regular meetings with supervisory team for the research project as well as technical supervision in the laboratory and/or field (as appropriate)

Assessment

The thesis will be in the style of manuscript for an agreed academic journal reflecting the particular discipline of the research project conducted. The field/laboratory notebook will also be submitted to make sure that the data are original and collected by the student. Marks are awarded both on account of the quality of the research performed, on the data analysis carried out, as well as the presentation and interpretation of the results. There are two internal University markers, one of them being the project supervisor.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor Graeme Paton

Pre-requisites

None.

Notes

Overview

Research project (laboratory- or library-based) involving review of scientific literature, data collection, modelling and/or interpretation.

Structure

No formal contact but regular meetings with supervisory team for the research project as well as technical supervision in the laboratory and/or field (as appropriate).

Assessment

The assessment will be in the style of a manuscript for an agreed scientific journal in the discipline of Environmental Microbiology. The notebook will also be submitted to make sure that the information/data were collected by the student. Marks are awarded both on account of the quality of the research performed, the data analysis carried out, as well as the presentation and interpretation of the results. There are two internal University markers, one of them being the project supervisor.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Professor Graeme Paton

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Course Aims:
To enable students to understand the application of their discipline in the work environment
To use key skills in presenting information and making informed and strategic programmes
To understand how businesses operate and reach decisions

Main Learning Outcomes:
Have a broad understanding of the environment in a real world context
To appreciate decision making strategies
To understand how to validate information and consider source reliability
To explain environmental auditing
To develop an environmental management system

Content: This is a tutorial based course with the engagement of external stakeholders both from Government and Private Industry. There is a description and application of environmental management and auditing and the needs and directions of future intentions. Basic aspects of EIA, EMS and appropriate auditing are covered by means of case studies. Learning is supported by means of electronic resources.

Structure

Two 2-hour tutorials and 1 external speaker per week

Assessment

Continual assessment: Defining the term carbon taxation and how to implement a strategy (50%), case study of an environmental management system for an individual business, written report and presentation (50%)

Credit Points

40

Course Coordinator

Professor Graeme Paton

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Course Aims:
To demonstrate critical thinking within a selected research subject
To collect, manage and interpret empirical and/or modelled data
To write in a scientific manner similar to that required by peer-reviewed publications

Main Learning Outcomes:
How to manage time and resources in a research project
To review scientific literature
How to link project data to scientific literature findings
To interpret data and present it in a valid and critical manner
To develop a critical appraisal of a research project and place this in a scientific context
To demonstrate written and oral communication as a research scientist
To maintain a laboratory or field notebook

Content: Research project involving independent data collection, modelling and interpretation.

Structure

No formal contact but regular meetings with supervisory team for the research project as well as technical supervision in the laboratory and/or field (as appropriate)

Assessment

The thesis will be in the style of manuscript for an agreed academic journal reflecting the particular discipline of the research project conducted. The field/laboratory notebook will also be submitted to make sure that the data are original and collected by the student. Marks are awarded both on account of the quality of the research performed, on the data analysis carried out, as well as the presentation and interpretation of the results. There are two internal University markers, one of them being the project supervisor.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Professor Graeme Paton

Pre-requisites

N/A

Notes

Overview

Course Aims:
To demonstrate critical thinking within a selected research subject
To collect, manage and interpret empirical and/or modelled data
To write in a scientific manner similar to that required by peer-reviewed publications


Main Learning Outcomes:
How to manage time and resources in a research project
To review scientific literature
How to link project data to scientific literature findings
To interpret data and present it in a valid and critical manner
To develop a critical appraisal of a research project and place this in a scientific context
To demonstrate written and oral communication as a research scientist
To maintain a laboratory or field notebook

Content: Research project involving independent data collection, modelling and interpretation.

Structure

No formal contact but regular meetings with supervisory team for the research project as well as technical supervision in the laboratory and/or field (as appropriate)

Assessment

The thesis will be in the style of manuscript for an agreed academic journal reflecting the particular discipline of the research project conducted. The field/laboratory notebook will also be submitted to make sure that the data are original and collected by the student. Marks are awarded both on account of the quality of the research performed, on the data analysis carried out, as well as the presentation and interpretation of the results. There are two internal University markers, one of them being the project supervisor.

Credit Points

3

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme I Paton and Dr Zachary Hickman

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Course Aims:
To review the scientific literature linked towards a research subject
To demonstrate critical thinking within a selected research subject

Main Learning Objectives:
To review and understand scientific literature
To demonstrate written communication as a research scientist
To develop a critical appraisal of published research.

Content: Literature review of scientific literature

Structure

No formal contact but regular meetings with supervisory team for the research project

Assessment

Written literature review; there are two internal University markers, one of them being the project supervisor

Credit Points

90

Course Coordinator

Dr Graeme I Paton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Overview

Course Aims:
To demonstrate critical thinking within a selected research subject
To collect, manage and interpret empirical and/or modelled data
to write in a scientific manner similar to that required by peer-reviewed publications

Main Learning Outcomes:
How to manage time and resources in a research project
To review scientific literature
How to link project data to scientific literature findings
To interpret data and present it in a valid and critical manner
To develop a critical appraisal of a research project and place this in a scientific context
To demonstrate written and oral communication as a research scientist
To maintain a laboratory or field notebook

Content: Research project involving independent data collection, modelling and interpretation.

Structure

No formal contact but regular meetings with supervisory team for the research project as well as technical supervision in the laboratory and/or field (as appropriate)

Assessment

The thesis will be in the style of manuscript for an agreed academic journal reflecting the particular discipline of the research project conducted. The field/laboratory notebook will also be submitted to make sure that the data are original and collected by the student. Marks are awarded both on account of the quality of the research performed, on the data analysis carried out, as well as the presentation and interpretation of the results. There are two internal University markers, one of them being the project supervisor.