Environmental Assessment and Control MSc - Biology and Zoology

Program Overview

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The MSc Environmental Assessment and Control from the University of Derby focuses on preventing and controlling land and freshwater contamination, preparing graduates for careers in environmental consultancies, local authorities, and industries. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, this CHES-accredited program emphasizes real-world problem-solving and offers pathways towards professional accreditation as a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The MSc Environmental Assessment and Control is an innovative program focusing on preventing and controlling land and freshwater contamination. It emphasizes applying scientific knowledge to real-world problems, offering specialization in a crucial environmental field.

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Key Objectives:

• Gain a specialist qualification to advance careers in government bodies, local authorities, consultancies, and industry (both in the UK and overseas).
• Develop an in-depth and holistic understanding of policies and strategies for assessing, preventing, managing, and controlling land and freshwater contamination.
• Apply knowledge to real-world situations and evaluate outcomes to make effective strategic decisions.
• Undertake work placements with employers in various settings for practical-based training and practitioner-based learning.
• Learn from an expert teaching team conducting crucial research and consultancy work on environmental themes.
• Embark on a pathway towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.
• Choose a route to suit individual needs: ideal for recent graduates seeking a full-time postgraduate course and for mature students already in employment wanting to balance part-time studies with work commitments.

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Outline:

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Modules:

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Core Modules:

• Contaminated Land and Remediation: This module provides an understanding of the sources and effects of contaminants in land, along with strategies to prevent, control, and manage contamination towards a sustainable environment.
• Freshwater Management: This module investigates the sources and effects of contaminants and the management of water quality in freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, groundwater, and drinking water.
• Independent Scholarly Activity: This triple module allows students to plan, conduct, and present original research on a topic of their choice within the area of environmental contamination and remediation.

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Optional Modules:

• Practical Training-Based Placement: This module provides links between theory and problem-solving through practical applications.
Students investigate current environmental aspects through a work placement in various areas such as environmental contamination and remediation, human interaction and exposure assessment, environmental management, biodiversity, conservation, and flood defense.
• Ecological Surveying: This module explores different approaches to surveys for ecology and conservation, including Phase 1 habitat survey, GPS surveying, GIS mapping, and the analysis and classification of freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
• Analytical Methods for Ecologists: This module builds confidence and proficiency in applying basic univariate statistical analyses and basic multivariate visualization and analysis methods.
It also introduces students to the widely-used analysis software 'R'.
• Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies: This module aims to develop a sound understanding of the nature and causes of climate change.
Students develop an understanding of relationships between climate change, impacts, and the selection of appropriate adaptation strategies.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: This module aims to develop a sound appreciation of the importance of conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), an understanding of the techniques used, and an appreciation of what is happening globally in relation to EIA.
• International Environmental Policy and Law: This module aims to develop a sound knowledge base and understanding of environmental law and its regulation towards the protection of the environment.
It focuses on river and urban flooding, including hydraulic modeling techniques, and is designed for anyone who requires an understanding of flood risk and its relevance to river management and development planning.
• Global Energy Challenges: Students examine a range of energy sources considering mode of provision, financial cost, and viability of current and future contributions to the global energy mix.
Environmental, ecological, and societal impacts and mitigation strategies are assessed.

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Note:

Module availability and content are subject to change.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods include coursework, such as essays, practical reports, oral and written presentations, open-book assessment, and project reports/dissertations.

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Teaching:

• The course design and teaching are strongly informed by the teaching team's scholarly and professional activities, such as research and consultancy.
• The team is highly qualified, with specialist expertise in the subject area and high professional standing, including Chartered Scientist, Chartered Environmentalist, full member of IEMA, Senior Fellow/Fellow of Higher Education Academy, Fellow of the Zoological Society of London.
• Teaching methods include lectures, guest lectures, seminars, and tutorials to develop a strong theoretical understanding of environmental aspects of contaminated land and freshwater to identify environmental issues.
• Practical solutions are found using case studies, field and laboratory work in independent and team settings, and employer-linked study experience through placements with employers.

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Careers:

This course prepares graduates for careers with:

• Government bodies like the Environment Agency and DEFRA
• International organizations such as the UN
• Local authorities
• Environmental consultancies
• Water companies
• A wide range of industries where environmental assessment and control is vital
The MSc also enhances promotion prospects and confidence in applying for more senior roles for those already in employment. It is a valuable qualification for professionals working in allied areas who want to broaden their skills. The MSc provides a firm basis for higher-level qualifications, including MPhil/PhD research degrees. Coupled with relevant experience, the MSc could also put graduates on the pathway to full membership of professional accreditation bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) or the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Longer term, graduates could achieve professional status such as Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv). Gaining this recognition opens up new employment opportunities and enables graduates to keep up to date with the latest developments in the field.

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Other:

• The MSc Environmental Assessment and Control is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
• CHES is the collective voice of the environmental sciences academic community and serves to enhance the quality of environmental education worldwide.
• A program accredited by CHES is assured to meet high standards, contain a strong component of practical, field, and theoretical activities, and has excellent opportunities for training, work experience, and links to the professional environmental sector.
• This program is aligned with the academic requirements of Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) and starts graduates on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.
• The University of Derby's Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) specializes in securing clean environments, nature recovery, and resilience to natural hazards, working collaboratively to safeguard the planet for future generations.

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2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025) Type Full-time Part-time UK Full-time £9,450 for the full course Part-time N/A International Full-time £14,900 for the full course Part-time N/A

• UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable