Postgraduate Environmental Sciences 2022-2023

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.

Provides training in managing all aspects of a research project from inception to delivery of a thesis;

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

There's a requirement for close supervision and training through individual meetings and tuition with a supervisor;

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

Hydrocarbon contamination of land and water has developed into a major issue in the recent decades. This course provides the technical working knowledge of hydrocarbon behaviour in different environments, and develops understanding of corresponding management and mitigation approaches with specific reference to the Oil and Gas industry. While the lectures afford sound theoretical basis, the practical classes and workshops offer hands on experience in environmental modelling. Particular attention is paid to hydrocarbon behaviour at sea and responses to marine oil spills.

Hydrocarbon contamination of land and water has developed into a major issue in the recent decades. This course provides the technical working knowledge of hydrocarbon behaviour in different environments, and develops understanding of corresponding management and mitigation approaches with specific reference to the Oil and Gas industry. While the lectures afford sound theoretical basis, the practical classes and workshops offer hands on experience in environmental modelling. Particular attention is paid to hydrocarbon behaviour at sea and responses to marine oil spills.

Lectures and structured workshops develop your knowledge of the principles and practice of geographic information systems, and familiarise you with ArcGIS software, enhancing your employability.

An individual investigation allows you to explore a specific application that you are interested in and demonstrate your proficiency with the software and your command of the conceptual underpinnings.

A flexible teaching and learning environment allows for individualised learning and enrichment for students with existing skills in GIS.

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.

The mixture of applied science and theoretical work on this course 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 report giving you an opportunity to perfect this style of writing.

This course is a residential field course that takes place in the Cairngorm National Park. During this course will gain experience relating to the broad theme of environmental science. It is hoped that you will develop a greater understanding of the dynamics of the landscape and the interactions and conflicts between stakeholders. You will be focusing on issues associated with different land uses within the Cairngorms National Park and associated decisions which impact directly the environment. This will be done by a number of site visits to sporting estates, forests, farms, and national nature reserves.

Dates for this field course are 3rd April - 7th April 2023
Assessments due 14th and 21st April 2023

Please note that the information provided is subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 government guidelines

The three-month individual Research Project can cover any area of environmental science and is undertaken under the supervision of a member of staff who is an expert in your chosen field.  Many projects are also done in collaboration with an external organisation. The project provides opportunities for you to develop your abilities and skills, generate hypotheses and design ways of testing them and to analyse, report and discuss your findings. You will learn to take responsibility for implementing your own plans and modifying them as necessary. The project is written up in the style of a scientific paper manuscript or a consultancy report.

The three-month individual Research Project can cover any area of environmental management and is undertaken under the supervision of a member of staff who is an expert in your chosen field.  Many projects are also done in collaboration with an external organisation. The project provides opportunities for you to develop your abilities and skills, generate hypotheses and design ways of testing them and to analyse, report and discuss your findings. You will learn to take responsibility for implementing your own plans and modifying them as necessary. The project is written up in the style of a scientific paper manuscript or a consultancy report.

The three-month individual Research Project can cover any area of environmental pollution/remediation and is undertaken under the supervision of a member of staff who is an expert in your chosen field.  Many projects are also done in collaboration with an external organisation. The project provides opportunities for you to develop your abilities and skills, generate hypotheses and design ways of testing them and to analyse, report and discuss your findings. You will learn to take responsibility for implementing your own plans and modifying them as necessary. The project is written up in the style of a scientific paper manuscript or a consultancy report.