Why Environmental Change?

The changes that have occurred in the Earth's natural and social systems in the last two hundred years have been dramatic. Although it is generally accepted that many environments change as a result of natural processes, there is now a growing realisation that the actions of society are having a profound effect on the Earth's systems. More importantly, many scientists and politicians now believe that many of the more recent changes may be detrimental to society and the Earth's natural environments.

Why Social & Physical aspects?

Environmental issues such as global warming, acid rain, water pollution and famine have been the focus of international debate, for example at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. These issues highlight two important factors: that environmental problems can only be tackled by understanding both their human and natural aspects and that there is a growing need for increased training and awareness in environmental issues across a wide spectrum of society.

The course

This course aims to provide students with a greater understanding of these environmental issues by considering them from both a social and physical perspective. The course will focus on environmental change. It will provide an integrated approach to this change by concentrating on contemporary environmental issues where interactions between society and the environment have produced complex environmental responses.

By the end of the course students should:

• be fully aware of the complexity of environmental issues;
• be in a position to evaluate and critically assess developments within this field;
• have a thorough grounding in research methods which may then be utilised by those wishing to advance their studies (e.g. to MPhil/PhD);
• have had advanced training in a variety of techniques used to monitor and manage change in natural and social environments;

The MSc in Environmental Change offers students who are currently working in the environmental field an opportunity to update and refine their vocational skills and knowledge. Other students may wish to use the course to switch careers and the MSc is an effective conversion course for those without a formal background in Environmental Science/Studies, Geography or Earth Sciences.

Past students have come from a wide variety of backgrounds, for example:

• planning
• law
• exploration geology
• teaching
• environmental consultancy
• museum work
• health promotion
• teaching
• banking
• hydrology
• management
• consultancy

Other students have entered with degrees in subjects such as English, History and American Studies, and a concern for and interest in the environment. A few students have no degree but significant relevant experience in the environment field and we are eager to encourage similar students to apply.

The Nature of the Course

The MSc is currently a part-time, two year, evening course taught by academic staff of the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. Teaching takes place on Tuesday evenings between 6pm and 9.30pm. In addition to the independent fieldwork each student undertakes for their dissertation, there will be one weekend field trip each autumn. We anticipate that between 15 and 20 students will register for the MSc and they will join a thriving post-graduate research community in the department which currently has six full time PhD students and a further four part time. Each MSc student will be allocated a personal tutor who will provide general advice and support throughout the course. For students' independent research, academic advisers with expertise in the relevant research area will be allocated.

The Structure of the Course

The course consists of a number of modules which fall into three categories:

• Core modules (GY5001, GY5002, GY5005 and GY5008);
• The dissertation (GY5009);
• Option modules (the rest).

Each module except the dissertation lasts for one Semester and is assessed at the end of the semester in which it is taught. Students take one CORE module and one OPTION module each semester. At the end of Year 1, students who have passed two core and two option modules can qualify for a Postgraduate Certificate. This is a nationally recognised level of achievement and is generally taken by students who are unable to study for a second year (for example, moving away from the area). A further intermediate award of Postgraduate Diploma is available to students who pass 4 core modules and 3 option modules, but who decide not to pursue the dissertation. Students who average 50% overall, having taken 4 core and 3 optional modules, will be invited to undertake a dissertation which, on successful completion, will entitle them to the degree of MSc. All coursework is assessed by coursework with the exception of GY5001 and the modules offered by the Centre for Environmental Research, which combine coursework and exam. Semesters last for 15 weeks and run from October to January and from February to May.

Semester One

All students must complete GY5001 and one optional module. The core module provides an introduction to environmental issues, whilst the option modules provide an integrated approach to the study of environmental change. There is also a fieldtrip over a weekend in October each year, where new students get to know each other and those in preceding years of the course.

GY5001: Environmental Perspectives (15 credits)

This aims to introduce students to the complexity of environmental issues via a case study and a variety of perspectives that may be adopted in studies of environmental change, including the scientific method, and a number of ecologically centred perspectives - radical, feminist, deep green, etc. The development of environmentalism is analysed, which provides the context for these perspectives.

GY5014: Environmental Dynamics (15 credits).

The module examines the ways in which environmental systems can change in response to external stimuli and internal processes, often in a dynamic and abrupt way. The course builds on the considerable research strengths of the Department in the field of environmental change and catastrophes.

GY5007: Environmental Degradation (15 credits)

Over the last few years there has been a growing body of scientific evidence which suggests that society has initiated changes in the natural environment at local to global scales over a variety of timescales, ranging from the last few years and decades to many thousands of years. Here, such changes will be considered through a number of case studies. The impact of society on natural environments will be assessed and the consequences this may have on society itself will be evaluated. Of particular interest is the rate at which changes take place and how the resulting problems may be overcome.

OR One from the following, which are available from the Centre for Environmental Research and are only available in the daytime.

CH5012: Monitoring and Control (15 credits).

This module develops the theory of environmental monitoring and practical skills in environmental monitoring and control.

CH5062: Environmental Legislation (15 credits).

This introduces legislation at the UK and EU scales.

CH5041: Waste and Land Management (15 credits).

This considers environmental, technical and legislative issues in the management and disposal of solid, liquid and gaseous waste and the management of contaminated land.

Semester Two All students must complete GY5002 and one optional module.

GY5002:Monitoring Environmental Change (15 credits)

This module provides students with an understanding of theoretical and practical experience of investigating environmental change. It focuses on current techniques of measuring and interpreting change from local to global scales. Equipment commonplace in academic and industrial environments is used in the evaluation and management of resources, landscape and natural hazards.

GY5003:Changing Attitudes to the Environment: behaviour and policy dimensions (15 credits).

This module considers the changes in attitudes and behaviour of individuals, institutions and society in general. Since behaviour is constrained by legal frameworks, the response of various levels of government to environmental issues will be examined and assessed coursework will enable students to explore the relationship between government, NGOs, business, the media and other pressure groups and the implications for this with regard to changing attitudes and behaviour.

GY5013:Applied Environmental Research (15 credits)

This enables students working in a related area (or willing to establish a placement) to apply their learning in the field/placement. The practical work will be supported by seminar discussions and tutorials.

OR One from the following, which are available from the Centre for Environmental Research and are only available in the daytime

CH5022:Environmental Management (15 credits).

This aims to introduce students to project management and environmental management techniques.

CH5031:Environmental Toxicology (15 credits).

This investigates the effects of environmental pollution on humans, animals and plants.

CH5032:Energy Use and Resource Management (15 credits).

This identifies environmental, legislative and economic issues in the use and management of energy and other resources.

Summer Vacation

 During the vacation students will be expected to undertake a double weighted module which will draw together the theoretical debates and perspectives which they have been introduced to during the first two semesters. The core module, GY5005, will permit students to extend their studies into an area of their particular interest, using documentary research, and will provide an intermediate step towards the preparation of the Masters dissertation. The module will be supported by a number of tutorials. GY5005:Researching Environmental Change (30 credits)

Semester Three

 One core module on Research techniques (GY5008) must be taken along with one optional module.

GY5008:Evaluating Advanced Research Methods (15 credits)

The module introduces and consolidates a range of research techniques and approaches considered to be central to environmental enquiry in general, but also acts as a preparation for the MSc dissertation.

GY5006:Water in the UK (15 credits)

This module provides an integrated view of water within the UK, highlighting environmental concerns, the effects of climatic change, groundwater resources, water quality and pollution and the economic and political factors influencing its supply.

GY5010:Environmental Disasters (15 credits)

An overview of environmental disasters is presented, considering the terrestrial realm, the atmospheric realm and the realm of water. In some cases, such as vulcanism, the disasters span a number of realms and produce a range of impacts. A systematic approach using case studies will be utilised to examine the physical origin and evaluation of disasters, their socio-economic impact and possible mitigation.

GY5011:Geographical Information Systems (15 credits)

This module is taken by distance learning and attendance is not required apart from an introductory session, a mid course progress monitoring session and an assignment monitoring session towards the end of the module. For this module a distance learning package introduces the skills and conceptual basis of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The main parts of the package are: 1. Academic - the main concepts of GIS and an introduction to the literature; 2. Practical - an introduction to the use of Idrisi, a GIS package; 3. A feedback manual with answers to questions and extended discussion. OR: One from the following, which are available from the Centre for Environmental Research and are only available in the daytime.

CH5012:Monitoring and Control (15 credits).

This develops the theory of environmental monitoring and practical skills in environmental monitoring and control.

CH5062:Environmental Legislation (15 credits).

This introduces legislation at the UK and EU scales.

CH5041:Waste and Land Management (15 credits)

This considers environmental, technical and legislative issues in the management and disposal of solid, liquid and gaseous waste and the management of contaminated land.

Semester Four

The final part of the MSc requires students to undertake a dissertation (GY5009) which is an extended, in-depth, independent piece of research on an aspect of environmental change. Students will identify their area of interest in the previous module, GY5008, and will, on the basis of this, be allocated an academic supervisor. Tutorial support is arranged individually between the student and his/her supervisor. The final dissertation should be between 15000 and 20,000 words long and should be submitted not before August 2000 but not later than January 2001. (60 credits.)

Previous subjects researched have included:

• Access to Environmental Information in Romania.
• Biological Monitoring of Air Quality in South Hampshire.
• Exploration of the potential to reduce commuting by private car (using GIS).
• Constraints and factors influencing the development of sustainable environmental strategies by the waste management industry.
• Institutional impediments to the development of a corporate approach to Local Agenda 21 in local government.
• A study of childrens' school travel
• Traffic congestion and respiratory disease along main roads (using GIS).
• An Environmental Impact Assessment of onshore hydrocarbon exploration in Dorset.
• An evaluation of the effects of changes in sea level and climate change in Pevensey Bay.
• Evaluating the use of environmental teaching aids in primary schools (with WWF-UK).
• Impacts of oil production in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Entrance Requirements

Candidates for registration directly to the MSc should obtain, by the commencement of the course, one of the following:

• An Honours degree from a recognised institution in an appropriate subject(s), (e.g. Archaeology, Earth Science, Ecology, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Meteorology, Soil Science).
• An Honours degree from a recognised institution in another subject and evidence of a commitment to studying environmental issues.
• Relevant scholarship, research or professional experience (such as in a consultancy, government office or NGO).
• A postgraduate diploma within the subject areas listed above. Relevant scholarship, research or professional experience (such as in a consultancy, government office or NGO).

Exemption

Students with appropriate experience may request exemption from some of the modules. Such requests will be considered by the Course Exemptions Board on an individual basis and in the light of experience and previous training of the applicant.

Any applicant seeking exemption will be asked to present written evidence in support of their claim. In addition, the modules are offered as individual courses for those interested in studying parts of the course. Those interested in taking such courses as an associate student should contact the Course Director for further details.

Tuition Fees

In formation on tuition fees can be found here.  Non UK/EU students should read the University's Guide for International Students and may wish to consult the British Council's web site. Additional information for non UK/EU students can be obtained from Brunel's International Student Office.

Individual modules may be taken by associate students at a cost of £400 per module.

Application Procedures

Interested applicants should complete and return the application form to the Course Director. All applicants will normally be interviewed within one month of receipt of the application form and will be notified of any decision regarding admission within two months of their application, although this may be longer if referees delay sending their references.

For admissions details or any other queries please contact the Course Director or Departmental Secretary:

Course Director:

Dr Philip Collins
Department of Geography and Earth Sciences
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK

Tel: 01895 274000

Fax: 01895 203217

e-mail: ges@brunel.ac.uk

Departmental Secretary:

Genevieve Dewez
Address, Telephone and Fax as above.

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