MSc Climate Change: Science & Impacts
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The climate of the planet has changed tremendously over the last few decades. It is crucial to study the causes of climate change and understand its impacts in different sectors in order to predict and incorporate climate change into future sustainable development.
The UCD Earth Institute is Ireland's largest research institute dedicated to earth and environmental sciences. The curriculum for this MSc is continually updated and the coursework is practically oriented and benefits from cutting-edge expertise and multidisciplinary research profiles.
Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
The Msc Climate Change: Science and Impacts is for students with a degree in Science, Engineering, Economics or other environmentrelated disciplines who have a strong interest in climate change science and impacts.
Course Description
This MSc programme has two strands:
1) Climate science and simulation
2) Climate change and impacts.
On completion of the programme students should be able to critically understand climate change science and impacts, and creatively apply the knowledge in solving real-world problems. It suits students with a degree in Science, Engineering, Economics or other environmentrelated disciplines with a strong interest in climate change science and impacts. Students will have the choice to either conduct a research project working with leading experts from multidisciplinary backgrounds or to work as a summer intern in various agencies or companies. In addition to data analysis and computational skills, students will have opportunities to develop their presentation and communication skills.
Vision and Values Statement
This programme suits students with strong interest in climate change science and impacts. Students can be from various undergraduate disciplines. Previous knowledge of climate change is not required. Students will develop critical understanding of climate change and apply the knowledge to real-world problems. Students will be placed on one of two tracks: either acquiring the computational numerical modeling skills in climate simulation and analysis or focusing instead practical forecasting of climate impact in various economic and social sectors. We expect our students to become autonomous learners and researchers capable of setting their own research agenda. Our graduates will be suitably qualified for further research in climate science, and will be valued equally in industry for their technical knowledge, analysis, and research skills. Our graduates will be conversant with the appropriate tools they have learned to explain, describe and predict complex environmental, social and economic trends. We value students whom already have a strong interest in climate science and a motivation to work in a multidisciplinary environment. We aim to provide a teaching and learning environment that develops confidence and independence through a wide variety of interactive formats, both inside and outside the classroom, in both academic and industrial settings.
Programme outcomes:
-Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the key skills required to work in a multidisciplinary team in professional scientific and policy roles
-Undertake excellent research at an appropriate level, using the subject-specific training and practical research skills learnt in the programme
-Model real-world problems in the appropriate framework and make forecasts and predictions on that basis
-Use the language of logic to reason correctly and make deductions
-Approach problems in an analytical, precise and rigorous way
-Work both independently and as part of a team and be able to pursue a research agenda
-Give oral presentations of technical material at a level appropriate for the audience
-Prepare a written report on technical content in clear and precise language