Environmental Management with Geographic Information Systems - Online

The PgDip/MSc programme in Environmental Management with GIS aims to provide an advanced education in Environmental Management. It provides specialist training in Environmental Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Management, Pollution Monitoring and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course aims to teach students the principles and practice of environmental management, the contribution of empirical and case study scientific research, and the manipulation and analysis of spatial environmental data.



The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Environmental Management with GIS and the Master of Science (MSc) Environmental Management with GIS are linked courses. You must successfully complete the PgDip (120 credit points) before transferring to the MSc (a further 60 credit points), i.e.to get the full MSc you complete 180 credit points in total.



For the MSc an additional two semesters are required to complete the project module i.e. three years in total part-time (6 semesters).

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

The PGDip programme consists of two distinct pathways – pathway 1 (75% Env Man modules & 25% GIS modules) and pathway 2 (50% Env Man modules & 50% GIS modules). Some of the modules on this course rotate so they run in alternative years. When you start the course will dictate which modules you will take and the order in which you take them.



Environmental Management modules –

• EGM804 – Environmental Impact Assessment (30 credits) - this module will run in January 2023, January 2025, January 2027, January 2029

• EGM801 – Biodiversity Management (30 credits) - this module will run in January 2024, January 2026, January 2028, January 2030

• EGM821 – Pollution Monitoring (30 credits) - this module will run in September 2024, September 2026, September 2028, September 2030



GIS modules – (these modules run each year so depending when the above Env Man run and what pathway you choose will dictate what modules you take and when they are taken)

• EGM711 – Principles of GIS (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 1 (September) and is a compulsory module

• EGM712 – Spatial Data Management (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 1 (November) and is a compulsory module.

• EGM715 – Web-Based GIS (15 credits) this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 2 (January) and is an optional module

• EGM714 – GIS in Business & Society (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 2 (March) and is an optional module.

• EGM716 – Spatial Analysis (15 credits) this module runs in weeks 1-6 of semester 2 (January) and is an optional module.

• EGM721 – GIS for Environmental Management (15 credits) – this module runs in weeks 7-12 of semester 2 (March) and is an optional module.

Entry to the PgDip:

You must hold a degree in a science or other suitable discipline or demonstrate your ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.



Entry to the MSc:

You initially register for the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) and if you complete the PgDip with an overall mark of 50% or higher can proceed to the MSc programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

The PG Dip takes 2 years part time, studying 60 credits per year. The MSc takes a further year.



Fully online - part-time by distance learning. You do not need to visit Ulster at any stage to successfully complete this course.

Start dates:

September 2025

January 2026

Career options

The majority of students on the course are already working in industry or public services and taking the course has helped them to gain promotion and/or change careers as a result of their new skills.



Key skills which will be developed are:

• Biodiversity management plans and site restoration design

• Ecological monitoring

• Environmental management systems

• Research analysis and data interpretation techniques

• Management, processing, analysis, interpretation and presentation of geo-spatial data

• Operation and use of Geographic Information Systems.