Sustainable Materials & the Environment

Course Outline

Our Master of Research (MRes) degree in Sustainable Materials and the Environment is for highly motivated, enthusiastic students interested in research in this area.



This MRes allows you to pursue a research project in a broad variety of topics under the direction of internationally recognised researchers in the School of Chemistry Environmental Research Institute, or Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork.



The MRes in Sustainable Materials and the Environment is a full-time course running over 12 months from the date of first registration. Applications will be accepted for a start date in September. The course consists of (a) a major research thesis and (b) taught modules including sustainable materials and environmental chemistry and transferable skills, with an emphasis on scientific writing, oral presentations, and general research skills.



The subject of your research project can be drawn from the range of staff expertise in sustainable materials and environmental chemistry disciplines in the School of Chemistry or Tyndall National Institute.

Our students undertake a total workload equivalent to 90 credits over the 12-month course, the principal element of which is the completion of a major research thesis of approximately 25,000 words. In parallel, students must choose and pass taught modules to the value of 20 credits.



Modules (20 credits)

Core Modules

CM6033 Sustainable Materials and the Environment (10 credits)

CM6034 Sustainability in Semiconductor & Chemical Industries (5 credits)



Elective Modules (choose 5 credits)

CM6027 Taught Postgraduate Transferable Skills Development (5 credits)

CM4020 Interfaces & Modelling (5 credits)

CM4025 Advanced Nano Materials (5 credits)

CM4112 Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution (5 credits)

EV4012 Environmental Impact Assessments (5 credits)

Requirements

Applicants must have a second-class honours degree (minimum H2.1 or equivalent) in Chemistry, Material Science, Materials Chemistry, or Physics. You must be approved by the MRes coordinator and course team, including the Head of the School of Chemistry.



The number of places is limited and decisions on entry to the course will be made based on the applicant’s performance in their primary degree and interview according to the following criteria: academic qualifications, research experience and focus, scientific understanding, personal statement, and strong recommendations from two academic referees.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

12 months full-time.

Start Date September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

The MRes in Sustainable Materials and the Environment is designed to give our students a research-intensive experience. Taught modules will increase your knowledge in the areas of materials, in particular, sustainable materials, and environmental chemistry and how they intersect.



Research projects allow our students to combine both practical and theoretical skills both of which will emphasise data analysis, interpretation, problem-solving, and time- and project management.



You will also develop skills in presenting and writing science, posing a research question, and developing a research proposal. Students completing this MRes course will be in a competitive position to secure funding, obtain a PhD position, or enter directly into employment within the sustainable materials and environment sector.