Trinity College Dublin - Environmental Sciences

Course Overview/Contact:

The taught M.Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences, as the first of its kind in Ireland, has an established pedigree, attracting students with diverse academic backgrounds from Ireland and abroad. This full-time, intensive course is intended for administrative and scientific workers and new graduates with an appropriate environmental science related background, although applications from graduates with different backgrounds are also welcomed. It comprises a series of taught modules encompassing a variety of current environmental themes, followed by a five-month, research project. There is also the possibility to opt for a diploma course in Environmental Sciences, consisting of the taught modules only.

The course provides students with a wide range of knowledge and skills relating to the expanding subject of Environmental Science. It aims to provide a firm scientific understanding of current environmental issues that will be of relevance to those interested in environmental management and related areas. The course provides a foundation of understanding of current environmental policies and legislation, and builds upon this with practical and theoretical courses that include subjects such as ocean and coastal management, water resources and pollution, climate change and environmental impact assessment. Theory and practice are closely linked to develop field, analytical, and presentation skills, including dedicated modules relating to data analysis and Geographic Information Systems. The course provides the opportunity to develop interests in particular areas of Environmental Science through tutorials, seminars and an extended desk study.

Following successful completion of the taught part of the course, students embark on a closely supervised research project intended to expand the skills and knowledge base acquired in earlier modules. Previous research projects have covered a diverse range of subjects including: groundwater contamination; atmospheric heavy metal deposition; environmental education; sewage processing systems; bio-indicators of marine pollution; and the impacts of erosion in African lakes, oean chemistry and climate change: and radon in natural and work environment.

Previous graduates of this M.Sc. course have been employed by a range of agencies involved in environmental protection, as environmental consultants and in local government. Many graduates have gone on to do further research in a range of environmentally related disciplines. Graduates from the course have pursued their interests in environmental sciences throughout the world.

Course Options:

1 Year Full Time

Course Url

http://www.naturalscience.tcd.ie/postgraduate/msc-enviro-sci/

Course Coordinator

Dr. Quentin Crowley

Telephone Number

+353-1-8964203

Course Email

crowleyq@tcd.ie

Next Intake

September 2017

Closing Date

30th June 2017

Programme Content:

The overall aim of the course is to promote students understanding of environmental science, and their capability to apply that knowledge to current environmental issues. Students should develop the necessary intellectual skills and the practical expertise to enable them design and execute high quality independent research and become skilled environmental communicators.

The course is taught through a variety of methods including lectures, practicals, field-based learning, guided reading, discussion groups and web-based tools. Over the course of their studies students will undertake two individual projects; one of which is desk-based, and the second, an experimental research project. Assessment procedures are similarly varied and include essay writing, oral presentations, web-based tests, examinations and assessment of dissertations.

The learning approach adopted has been designed to encourage students’ independent critical thinking skills and academic excellence, whether coming to the course directly from a previous degree or from industry.

Entry Requirements:

Applications for admission are accepted from:

(i) holders of first or upper second class honors degrees, or their overseas equivalent, awarded by recognised universities, institutions and degree awarding bodies.
(ii) holders of other degrees or relevant qualifications including professional qualifications, who have at least three years work experience in an environmental profession.

The closing date for applications is 30 June 2017. Late applications from well-qualified applicants may be considered provided all the places on the course have not been allocated.