Postgraduate Environmental Sciences 2015-2016

The course will provide the students with valuable skills required in developing their research and general study skills, essential for their progression during the MSc programme, as well as to the rest of their academic and professional careers. The course introduces basic statistical analysis, teaches data handling skills and exposes students to literature searching and reference styles. During the course, students will get experience in handling real-life, large data sets and will work together with the lecturer and demonstrators in analysing the data and presenting the results.

Introduction to GIS will provide you with the opportunities to become familiar with ArcGIS software and understand the application of GIS technologies to address ecological research questions.

·         Provide increasingly important GIS skills on your CV

·         Practical based course so you learn how to use GIS as well as getting the theory

·         Range of real research examples used in terrestrial and marine ecology

Advanced Spatial Information Analysis will take your basic GIS skills and introduce advanced analysis techniques relevant to marine and terrestrial ecology.

·         Course delivered by GIS professionals with number of relevant guest speakers from industry and NGO’s

·         Mainly practical based course to give hands on experience

·         Assessment based on research proposal can be linked to your research project

Provide you with the necessary GIS skills for careers in spatial analysis research and management of natural resources

Applications of GIS will provide you with the opportunities to become familiar with ArcGIS software and understand the application of GIS technologies to address environmental science research questions.

·         Provide increasingly important GIS skills on your CV

·         Practical based course so you learn how to use GIS as well as getting the theory

·         Range of real research examples used in environmental sciences

Guest speakers from relevant industry on application of GIS in their role

Provides students with a technical working knowledge of the environmental legislation, management and mitigation in a global context;

Evolution of technical skills in defining incidents through quantitative risk assessment;

Ability to use qualitative and quantitative data in understanding the fate and potential harm of environmental pollutants with specific reference to oil and gas;

Use of evidence based lines of evidence in developing critical thinking and interpretation;

Encourages presentation of quantitative data and extrapolation to genuine scenarios.

The mixture of applied science and theoretical work places you in a valuable position for understanding the procedures and applications in modern environmental science. A number of laboratory classes allows you to familiarise yourself with the current analytical instrumentation in environmental science. The course uses examples of environmental issues allowing you to understand the problem, how the analysis was conducted and the implications of the results. The main assessment in this course is a practical write up that is written in the style of a scientific paper giving you an opportunity to perfect this style of writing.

This independent research project is conducted with a supervisor, takes up to 18 weeks and is for MRes students;

The course provides training in managing all aspects of a research project from inception to delivery of a thesis in the format of a scientific manuscript, a technical note or a consultancy report;

The project can cover any area of environmental science, may be done in the UK or internationally, and may be computer, laboratory, greenhouse, industry or field based;

It may use new technology and research or commercial deliverables to enhance the learning experience and skill base of the student.

This is for students seeking additional more vocational training in environmental sciences;

Develops problem solving through numerical and qualitative solutions;

Encourages tutorial based team work ideas to design and developing mitigation strategies;

Engages a broad portfolio of presentation styles and formats.

Provides thorough training in managing all aspects of a research project from inception to delivery of a thesis in the format of a scientific manuscript, technical note or consultancy report;

It is an independent research project that can cover any area of environmental science, and which may be computer, laboratory, greenhouse, partner company or field based;

It may be done in the UK or internationally and requires close supervision and training through individual meetings and tuition with supervisor;

May use new technology and research or commercial deliverables to enhance the learning experience and skill base of the student.

This is a pre-runner and complement of the research-based project;

Encourages the development of critical appraisal of peer reviewed literature in the context and theme of project;

Develops key resource management and prioritisation skills;

Encourages sound database management and search engine skills;

Assessed on ability to critically express and explain science concepts.