Sustainable Water Management

Program Overview

The Sustainable Water Management MSc program at the University of Aberdeen equips graduates with the technical, environmental, and socioeconomic skills to address water resource challenges. The program offers three pathways, including Hydrological Sciences, Water and Society, and an Open Pathway, and culminates in a research-based dissertation project. Graduates are prepared for careers in government agencies, private sector firms, NGOs, and research institutions, contributing to sustainable water management practices.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Aims to equip graduates with the necessary tools to address environmental and socioeconomic water resource management challenges.
• Focuses on technical, environmental, social, economic, commercial, and political aspects of sustainability.
• Welcomes students with diverse backgrounds in social sciences, environmental science, geosciences, and engineering.
• Designed for completion in 12 months (or 24 months for part-time study).
• Provides students with the skills and knowledge to solve complex issues in water resource management.
• Covers topics like water security, climate change impacts on water resources, flood risk, water pollution, ecosystem services, and related management approaches.
• Offers three pathways: Hydrological sciences, Water and Society, and Open Pathway (combining both).

Outline:

The program structure comprises three semesters:

Semester 1:

• Introduces core concepts and provides foundation knowledge for both pathways.
• Emphasizes the physical hydrology aspects and their link to water resource availability and quality.
• Covers "Introduction to GIS Tools, Techniques, Cartography & Geovisualization," "Near Surface & Environmental Geophysics," "Sustainability Transitions: Challenges and Opportunities," "Water in the Environment," and "Hydrological Extremes under Global Change".
• Offers optional courses for each pathway.

Semester 2:

• Focuses on advanced topics and builds on the foundation laid in Semester 1.
• Explores "Catchment Management," "Advanced Spatial Analysis and Programming," "Governance and Political Economy of Sustainability," "Partnerships for Sustainability," "Research Methods", "Integrated Water Resources Management," and "Sustainable Water Management in Scotland: Field course".
• Offers optional courses for each pathway.

Semester 3:

• Culminates with the MSc Sustainable Water Management Dissertation.
• Requires students to independently complete a research-based dissertation project in their chosen field of water resource management.

Assessment:

The program utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate student understanding and performance, including:

• Examinations: Written tests assess knowledge and comprehension of theoretical concepts.
• Coursework: Assignments and projects evaluate application of knowledge and analysis skills to practical scenarios.
• Presentations: Oral presentations assess communication skills and ability to effectively convey research findings.
• Dissertation: A rigorous independent research project demonstrating critical thinking, research methodology, and writing skills.

Teaching:

The program employs various teaching methodologies to cater to diverse learning styles and enhance understanding:

• Lectures: Experts in water resource management deliver theoretical foundations and key concepts.
• Seminars: Interactive sessions facilitate discussions, critical analysis, and problem-solving.
• Field trips and practical work: Hands-on experiences and data collection exercises reinforce theoretical learning and develop field skills.
• Individual and group projects: Encourages collaboration, communication, and application of knowledge to solve real-world problems.
• Independent study: Promotes self-directed learning, research skills, and critical analysis.

Careers:

The program equips graduates for successful careers in various sectors related to water resource management:

• Government agencies and environmental organizations involved in river and coastal management, flood defenses, and flood warning systems.
• Private sector opportunities with environmental consultants, engineering firms, and water management companies.
• Opportunities for further research and PhD studies in the field of water resource management.

Other:

• The University of Aberdeen holds the #5 ranking in the UK and #70 globally for the SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation within the THE Impact Rankings.
• Partnerships and collaborations exist between the university and organizations like The Glenlivet distillery, NatureScot, and the Scottish Government, leading to real-world research collaborations and solutions for sustainable water management.

EU / International students

£22,000

UK

£10,000 In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.