Please click on this link to download a copy of our flyer: MSc Environmental Dynamics & Climatic Change

Start date:	September
Duration:	1 year full-time (2-3 years part-time)
Structure:	The programme consists of 120 taught credits (80 compulsory and 40 optional) and a 60 credit dissertation
Entry requirements:	Normally students will have an upper second Bachelors' degree in an approved subject. Overseas applicants are required to possess an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent English proficiency score.
Funding:	Applicants can apply for a range of bursaries and scholarships offered by the School and the University. NEW:  Fully-funded ESF Bursaries - details can be found here Details of School funding opportunities can be found here Details of University funding opportunities can be found here Details of alternative funding sources can be found here
How to apply:	The Postgraduate Admissions Office Swansea University Swansea SA2 8PP Tel: + 44 (0)1792 295358 Fax: + 44 (0)1792 295110 Information for UK applicants can be found here Information for EU and overseas applicants can be found here
Further information:	Dr Iain Robertson School of the Environment and Society Swansea University Swansea SA2 8PP E-mail: i.robertson@swansea.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1792 295184

Background Information

The MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climatic Change provides a cross-disciplinary training in the scientific basis of past, present, and future changes in Earth’s climate and environment. The course places particular emphasis on recent global and regional environmental and climatic change, the scientific basis and limitations of models and data collection techniques. It combines the international research strengths of staff within the School of the Environment and Society in environmental and climate dynamics (processes and mechanisms involved in stability and change), marine and ecosystem biology, and environmental management and sustainable development. The breadth of the course means the dissertation component can range from applied science to management and students are encouraged to seek industrial links for this aspect.

Compulsory modules cover: scientific and analytical techniques including laboratory, field, Earth observation and computer skills; recent and future climatic and environmental change; as well as providing a sound understanding of the basis and limitations of current climate assessments. Students will also be provided with the opportunity to develop their ability to communicate complex scientific arguments to broad audiences. Optional modules allow the course to be tailored to individual management or scientific needs.

Graduates from this course will have broad knowledge of the current scientific issues underpinning climatic change and environmental and ecosystem dynamics, and the practical problem solving, ICT, and communication skills required for a successful career in the environmental service industry, regulating bodies or academia.

Detailed Course Description

Compulsory Modules (80 credits):

Science Skills and Research Methods (BIOM25B – 20 credits; Dr Carlos Garcia de Leaniz). This module provides students with the basic scientific skills to conduct postgraduate studies within the School of the Environment and Society. Topics covered include the philosophy of science, experimental design, library and internet sources, data analysis and presentation skills. Evaluation of this module is by continuous assessment.

Mapping and Monitoring the Changing Environment from Space (GEGM10 – 20 credits; Dr Adrian Luckman). This module explains the use of remote sensing as a tool for gathering and analyzing information about human resources and the natural environment. It is appropriate for students who would find it valuable to understand how information about human activity and environmental change is retrieved from images of the Earth acquired by satellite or aircraft instruments. Emphasis is placed on the role of ongoing missions in providing operational information for science and society. Elements of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) appropriate for dealing with spatially-explicit image data are examined. Lecture material is supported by hands-on experience exploring satellite images in a computer environment. Evaluation of this module is by a practical report (50%) and examination (50%).

Introduction to Environmental Dynamics and Climatic Change (GEGM07 – 20 credits; Dr Siwan Davies). This module aims to explain and understand past, present and potential future changes in the Earth’s climate and environment. It provides a cross-disciplinary approach to environmental processes and dynamics operating on land, in the oceans and in the atmosphere on a global and regional scale. Emphasis is placed on the techniques and evidence available for reconstructing past environmental dynamics, the implications for present-day processes, future predictions and likely impacts. Evaluation of this module is by a continuous assessment (50%) and examination (50%).

Ecosystems (BIOM32 - 20 credits; Professor Paul Brain). This module introduces students to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, food webs, and the mechanisms by which biota interact and interrelate with the environment. Students in this module will acquire a full understanding for how to conduct research onto free-living behaviour of marine and terrestrial vertebrates, apply principles of conservation and management and understand the debate on anthropogenically driven environmental change, including climate change. Evaluation of this module is by continuous assessment and examination.

Optional Modules (40 credits):

Modelling Environmental Dynamics and Climatic Change (GEGM04 – 20 credits; Dr Peter North). This module introduces computational modelling in the context of environmental dynamics and climatic Change. It aims to develop thinking about environmental issues within a modelling framework, and to develop practical skills in developing and using computational models, and in computer data analysis and visualisation. Examples are focussed on solving practical scientific problems which involve modelling the terrestrial carbon and hydrological cycles. Evaluation of this module is by a project report (50%) and examination (50%).

Environmental Assessment and Management (BIOM22 – 20 credits; Dr Ian M Horsfall). In this module, students learn how to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The risks and impacts of different industrial and economic activities on environmental systems and the associated legislation are covered. They will also learn how to apply and develop models of ecological systems, how to predict potential impacts through modelling, and how to manage natural resources in a sustainable way. Evaluation of this module is by a continuous assessment (40%) and examination (60%).

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (GEGM05 – 20 credits; Dr C Barrow). This module introduces the principles, practice and key issues of environmental management, with a focus on sustainable development. Other key themes include: the precautionary principle, awareness of and coping with environmental change, anticipatory development approaches, environmental and resource degradation issues. There will be coverage of development/developing country environmental management topics and global challenges. Evaluation of this module is by an assignment (50%) and examination (50%).  Please note, this module will only be available in 2010/2011.

Risk Assessment and Management (EGTM77 – 10 credits; School of Engineering). This module will provide an insight into the assessment and calculation of risk in a variety of contexts. Case studies will be examined which highlight the economic, environmental, technical, social and political consequences of decision making and the subsequent effects of accidents. Evaluation of this module is by continuous assessment and examination.

Materials Recycling Techniques (EGTM78 – 10 credits; School of Engineering). This module reviews the recycling methods across the major materials sectors, and leads to an individual case study of a specific recycling issue by each student. The main materials studied include steel, aluminium, glass, paper and plastics. The emphasis is on current production and how recyclate is accommodated into the procedures. The specific technical and economic barriers to recycling in each sector are considered, particularly some of the major issues associated with plastics recycling. Evaluation of this module is by continuous assessment and examination.

Followed by a research project in Part Two:

Dissertation (GEGM06 – 60 credits). This module provides the opportunity to undertake a substantial individual research project in Environmental Dynamics and Climatic Change. All dissertation topics will be agreed during Semester 2, and supervisors will be allocated during this time. Formal work on the dissertation will begin in the first week of July, and in line with university guidelines, the final deadline for submission of dissertations is October 15th. Support will provided by a staff supervisor and through student-led discussions. There will also be the opportunity to provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. Interim results will be presented orally and in a poster session. The final results of the research dissertation will be presented in the form of a scientific paper in the format of a leading international journal (8000 words), supported by full data and documentary details in an appropriate electronic format and a one page summary suitable for an intelligent lay person (an additional 7,000 words).

We reserve the right to change the selection of modules offered each year

What Our Students Say

I originally came to Swansea University to study for a BSc in Geography.  Although this course covered a wide range of both human and physical topics that were all very interesting and provided a broad spectrum of skills from GIS and remote sensing to environmental modelling, my main interest was in the physical aspects.  I graduated in 2007 with a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Geography and wanted to continue my studies into the field of climate change.  I decided that the MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change would be an appropriate route to take in order to pursue this field.  The MSc, focused on many characteristics of the global environment, like impacts on ecosystems, and how the varying processes associated with climate change can be monitored, measured and modelled.  This choice of topics was complimented by the fact that the modules were run by lecturers working at the cutting-edge of global environmental change.  The culmination of what I learned over the course of the year was put into practice with the dissertation, which allowed me to focus on an area of particular interest.  The group of friends that I had on the course were brilliant and I will take away a lot of fond memories of our time together at Swansea.  Now, after finishing the MSc I have a job working for the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.  My role is a scientific and technical research assistant and although I did not study oceanography in university, I am using the transferable skills that I acquired from the MSc to monitor and measure global ocean circulation.  This involves a lot of data analysis and also I am helping to organise two research cruises which will look at the ocean structure and state of ocean circulation via properties such as temperature, salinity and oxygen content of different water masses.  The first cruise will run from Punta Arenas on the Southern tip of Chile across the Drake Passage to the West Antarctic Peninsula and back up to Uruguay.  The second cruise will involve taking a transect of the South Atlantic Ocean between Uruguay and Namibia.  I could not have hoped for a better starting job and I feel that the MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change prepared me well for this by giving me a good foundation from which to progress. [David Hamersley, MSc Environmental Dynamics & Climatic Change, 2007-2008]

I arrived in Swansea in October 2007 to do an MSc in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change.  It was a big step, since I come from a different education system and background. I did Physics in Spain and the seven years I spent on it were purely theoretical.  The Msc opened my mind to new parts of science. Although Physics is the base for all the mechanisms in the nature, the hard part is applying the knowledge to something less abstract. That is when I started to be quite enthusiastic about glaciology. I realised how important it is to study the cryosphere and to understand all the processes that drive glacier dynamics, and obviously all the physics and maths are involved there. In 2009 I started a PhD within the Glaciology group, here at Swansea, about Volume changes of the Greenland Ice Sheet from Satellite and Ground-based Measurements, and for me is a challenge.  I feel really comfortable with all the people that work here and I am very grateful for this opportunity. Moreover I will have the opportunity of travelling to the Arctic, which will complement the computer work I develop everyday on my desk.  Living in Swansea has been a great experience for me. I am meeting people from other cultures and that allows me to learn about other customs and to share mine. [Laura Cordero-Llana, MSc Environmental Dynamics & Climatic Change, 2007-2008; PhD Geography  2008-2009 to present]

[last updated 3 June 2010]