Environmental Sciences - Environmental Resource Management

MSc(Agr) Environmental Resource Management
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

The MSc Environmental Resource Management is an established programme designed for those who wish to undertake advanced studies in the pursuit of a career in the environmental sciences.

Sustainable management of our environmental resources is at the heart of some of the key challenges facing humanity today; food security, climate change, biodiversity loss, and the protection of water and soil resources. During this MSc particular emphasis is placed on exploring these globally important environmental issues, in agriculture and other land use systems. Graduates will gain the knowledge necessary to address these needs through a combination of environmental science, policy and management expertise.

The programme fosters in its graduates the qualities of self-motivation and critical thinking. Core elements of the programme include: literature review and knowledge assimilation; core lab, field and IT skills including use of GIS and remote sensing software; experimental survey design, quantitative data analysis and communication skills.

Individual and group work assignments are designed to develop individual, teamwork and leadership skills. These skills will culminate and be tested further in the final semester, when students complete a supervised research project. Fieldwork is involved in many of the modules offered, including visits to leading extension, advisory and research programmes in the area of sustainable environmental resource management.

The minor thesis component offers a very broad choice of research topics that allows students to focus on a specific subject area of interest. Students are assigned an academic supervisor with research interests and expertise in the thesis subject area.

Vision & Values Statement
The MSc in Environmental Resource Management is designed for those who wish to undertake advanced studies in the pursuit of a career in the environmental sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on exploring globally important environmental issues, including climate change, and the sustainable management of soil, plant and water resources in agriculture and other land use systems. The programme fosters in its graduates the qualities of self-motivation and critical thinking. For those with an inquiring mind, a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant in solving agri-environmental and food security concerns is provided, which in combination with understanding of effective policy-making, leads to sustainable management practice. The programme structure is supportive of guided self-learning and provides the opportunity to develop key skills across the agri-environmental sciences. Core elements of the programme include: literature review and knowledge assimilation; core lab, field and IT skills (including use of GIS and remote sensing software); experimental/survey design and quantitative data analysis; and written and verbal communication skills. Use is made of individual and group work assignments designed to develop individual, teamwork and leadership skills. These skills will culminate and be tested further in the final semester, when the student does an independent supervised project.

Programme Outcomes
Apply learned skills and competencies in environmental consultancy, evaluation and assessment

Appreciate the functional benefits of natural processes within managed rural ecosystems

Combine the use of core lab, field and IT skills in scientific study and evaluation

Devise and interpret environmental studies/evaluations involving the collection, appropriate analysis and reporting of resulting observations

Evaluate the wider environmental issues and challenges of food production and security, and appreciate the objectives of national, EU and international policy

Integrate scientific understanding in sustainable management and policy approaches

Interpret the ecological processes and cycles that underpin sustainable management of natural resources

Understand the key terrestrial ecosystem services such as climate and water regulation and nutrient cycling, and how they may be promoted by effective and sustainable land management practice

Stage 1 - Core
Data Analysis for BiologistsAESC40180
Research Project (AESC) 2AESC40370
Human Impact on the EnvironmentAESC40390
Seminar PresentationAESC40400
Soil, Plant & Water ResourcesAESC40410
Geographic Information SystemsAESC40420
Biodiversity and Ecosystem ServicesAESC40440
Literature Review (AESC)AESC40460
Practical Research SkillsAESC40470
Ecological ModellingENVB40290

Stage 1 - Option
Wildlife ConservationAESC40150
One HealthAESC40360
Environmental AssessmentGEOG30860
Environmental Law and PolicyLAW30440

Applicants must hold minimum lower second class honours Degree (NFQ Level 8), or international equivalent, in Biological Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Geography, Earth Sciences, Natural Sciences or cognate degree programme from a recognised higher education institution. Cognate degree programmes would include humanities, arts, business, law and engineering.

Mature candidates have previously been accepted on the basis of relevant experience and prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the Programme Director to discuss their eligibility.

The programme welcomes students from across the world.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent. Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

The following entry routes are available:

MSc(Agr) Environmental Resource Management FT (X089)

Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

90

1 year full-time.

MSc(Agr) Environmental Resource Management (X089) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 8875
nonEU fee per year - € 25600

***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Next Intake: 2020/2021 September

Careers & Employability
The career prospects for graduates from the MSc Environmental Resource Management are wide ranging, with environmental management increasingly fundamental to industrial, service and public sectors. Graduates secure roles in the private and public sector across government agencies, local authorities, county councils and others.

This programme has a successful track record with the Irish Aid Fellowships.

Graduate Roles:
Environmental Consultancy
Environmental Advisory
Environmental Engineering
Regulatory Authorities
Policy
Research