About the course
Climate change, pollution and invasions by non-native species are pressing issues globally, within Europe and in the Humber region.
This MSc provides an in-depth understanding of the causes and impacts of environmental change, and equips you with the necessary skills and analytical tools to monitor and manage such changes.
You consider the scientific, political and legal consequences of environmental change and management and develop your understanding of the processes involved, integrating information at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels.
Here at Hull, we have an active team of environmental research focused staff, both biologists and geographers, and an established track record in environmental services. We are a member of the GU8 consortium, a group of port city universities from across the world, providing us with international collaborative links that are unrivalled in the UK. We also enjoy strong, well-established industry links.
Fieldwork is incorporated throughout the programme. The city of Hull’s location on the Humber Estuary, with a large ports complex and growing renewables energy industry, within a thriving agricultural setting, provides students with an abundance of opportunities to move from bench to environment. Aquaria provision is considerable, with an established partnership with The Deep, Hull's internationally famous public aquarium.
What you'll study
The programme is taught by a team of environmental research focused staff with a range of expertise unique to the University.
A critical overview of environmental change and related management policies and scientific challenges will be provided. You gain an understanding of the main aspects of monitoring environmental change, from practical, laboratory-based techniques to those used in the field by industry and regulatory authorities.
You will solve complex, real-world problems and construct and test hypotheses related to environmental issues, applying advanced theories, concepts and principles, and learning how to apply them to manage the environment.
Your skills in teamwork, communication and time management will be honed as you make use of the principles of scientific inquiry in the context of evidence-based practice and effectively communicate complex and conceptually challenging information.
A range of industry-standard instrumentation will be used and you will critically evaluate research on current and new diagnostic methodologies. Practical modules cover the wide range of current techniques used in environmental monitoring.
All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.
All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.
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Environmental Law and Policy
The world is facing connected risks that threaten a ‘polycrisis’, with environmental challenges and social justice issues at the core of this. These risks are occurring simultaneously at multiple scales and often highly inter-connected. This module will provide you with an understanding of the development of environmental policy and law from international to local levels in different country and sector contexts. The idea of ‘systems thinking’, that environmental problems and solutions shouldn’t be considered in isolation from other policy areas such as food security and social justice will also be introduced.
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Research Skills in Environmental Sciences
It is more important than ever that future environmental scientists are well-equipped with the skills needed to critically assess environmental research. This module will provide you with the key skills required to assess and integrate contemporary literature and to analyse and interpret complex data to become an independent researcher.
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Environmental Change in the Anthropocene
You will be introduced to a breadth of topics linked to environmental change, management and monitoring such as terrestrial and aquatic ecology, waste and pollution management, an overview of the Anthropocene, health and climate change and global geopolitical issues.
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Applied Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
In a world where environmental changes are driven faster than ever, evidence-based research is crucial while working as an environmental/ecology professional. GIS and RS are everyday tools used to produce guidelines and influence significate decision-making. This module will take you through every phase of a GIS project and introduce you to a range of applied environmental issues where only GIS and RS analysis can provide solutions.
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessments are the industry standard for assessing the impact of developments on the environment. In this module, you’ll learn about the socio-economic, ecological, environmental, aesthetic and legislative aspects of EIAs, and critically evaluate existing EIAs. You’ll also learn GIS mapping skills, which are essential in many areas of industry.
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Ecosystem Assessment
The ecological assessment of terrestrial and freshwater habitats is a key component of environmental management. This module aims to provide the theoretical background and professional skills needed in the industry by focussing on key environmental issues, the management of water quality, and habitat degradation of inland waters, and management of terrestrial habitats.