MEnvSci Masters degree in Environmental Science (F902)

The Masters in Environmental Science (MEnvSci) is taught by staff from two of the University's leading departments: Geography and Animal & Plant Sciences. The course aims to develop graduates who are extremely well-placed to provide rigorous analysis of, and practical solutions for, matters of environmental concern.

As well as a general pathway that provides a broad set of skills and subject-specific knowledge, the course allows you to tailor your degree towards particular aspects of environmental science through specialist pathways in Global Change, Environmental Biosciences and Environmental Geosciences.

The first year of study is broad-based and common to all pathways. Students take a mixture of knowledge- and skills-based modules in physical science and environmental biology totalling 120 credits. Fifty credits must be taken from core modules in biology and fifty credits from core modules in physical geography. Core modules include a Geoenvironmental Field Skills module and other modules covering Laboratory Skills, IT Skills, and both Quantitative and Qualitative techniques. Students must then choose the remaining 20 credits from approved modules in Biology or Geography.

At Level 2, students must choose whether to follow the general pathway or to follow a specialist pathway through Levels 2 and 3. Each pathway consists of up to 70 credits of core knowledge- and skills-based modules, including a residential field course (currently located in Western Ireland) that introduces students to research design. Students must then fill their remaining credits with Biology and Geography modules from a route-specific, approved list.

Level 3 students continue on their chosen pathway, taking 30 credits of core modules from an approved list, which includes a compulsory research project in either physical Geography or Environmental Biology and Ecology. This project may be field, laboratory or computer based, or may involve a mix of techniques. The remaining credits are filled from an extensive approved list of modules in Biology and Geography.

The fourth year of the course is strongly centred on research training and you will work alongside a member of staff from either Geography or Animal & Plant Sciences to undertake a major research project that forms the second half of this final year.

The BSc single honours degree in Environmental Science offers a three-year alternative to the Masters in Environmental Science.