Environment and Climate Change MSc

Course overview

The global impacts of climate change are one of the biggest threats facing the world today. Develop your understanding of climate change and the processes which contribute to contemporary environmental problems and threaten to transform our environment.

Introduction

You will gain the skills and techniques to allow you to reconstruct recent environmental change, along with methods of contemporary monitoring and the context for predicted possible future consequences.

Through a mix of lectures, independent group study, coursework field work and laboratory work, you will develop your analytical research skills so you’ll be able to conduct first-class research in the field of environment and climate change.

Facilities that you will use during your master’s have recently benefited from substantial investment, meaning you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Studying Environment and Climate Change at master’s level will allow you to draw upon staff expertise from across the School of Environmental Sciences.

Who is this course for?

This programme is perfect for graduates with a degree in an environmental subject (or relevant experience) who want to develop climate change research and influence sustainability policy at all levels.

What you'll learn

An understanding of the principles of palaeoenvironmental reconstruction as a means of obtaining information about long-term environmental processes

The methods of construction, applications of and strengths and weaknesses of global climate models as well as manipulating climatic time-series

An understanding of the Earth’s atmospheric and oceanic systems at various temporal and spatial scales

The main drivers of environmental change during the Quaternary and the Holocene (the present interglacial period)

The impacts of long-term human activities on the terrestrial and marine environment

Training in the use of advanced laboratory techniques such as magnetic, bio-geochemical, sedimentological, environmental modelling techniques and microfossils

Independent thinking, critical insights, leadership, team work and a sound understanding of environmental issues (from global to local). Knowledge of regulations and policies at local government level.

You will normally need a 2:1 honours degree or above, or equivalent. This degree should be in a relevant subject.; Applications from those with significant relevant experience and professional qualifications will be assessed on an individual basis.