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MA Degree Programme


Environmental Science What is distinctive about Environmental Science?


Studying Environmental Science at Dundee provides you with the opportunity to explore the problems associated with the interaction of humans and the natural environment, focusing on topical and relevant issues such as climate change, pollution of land and water and the management of natural resources. A distinctive feature of Environmental Science is its multidisciplinary nature, being taught by subject specialists from Life and Physical Sciences


Extracurricular Activities


Environmental Science students and staff quickly get to know each other through field classes and group project work, creating a friendly and informal atmosphere. The student-run Geography and Environmental Science Society (GESS) provides a lively and informal focus for social activities, which include talks, dinners and an


Module Content


Level 1 The Physical Environment


This module examines the geology, geomorphology, hydrology and energy processes that developed and sustain the physical environment on planet Earth, through a series of lectures and workshops.


Environments for Life


This module examines processes operating within the atmosphere and biosphere and introduces the chemical principles that sustain a habitable environment on planet Earth, through a series of lectures and workshops on environmental chemistry, weather and climate, ecosystems and aquatic science.


Level 2 Management and Monitoring


This module develops your understanding and practical skills in environmental monitoring and policy through workshops, field classes and lectures in the areas of geoscience, environmental resource management, remote sensing and data analysis.


Mechanisms and Measurements


This module develops your understanding and practical skills in environmental biology and ecology through workshops, field classes and lectures in the areas of aquatic science, ecology and chemistry.


Level 3 Core Modules: Reconstructing Past Environments


This module develops understanding of the nature of environmental change and of the methods used to reconstruct past environments; it also examines how ongoing climate change will alter the earth.


Optional Modules: Biogeography


Students will learn to understand why different organisms inhabit the Earth in different places. The mechanisms by which they move and adapt to change is of importance to understanding how life will adapt to environmental change. The module also covers the key drivers behind environmental change (such as carbon uptake) and implementation of effective conservation measures to protect and conserve all species.


Environmental Remote Sensing


This module provides an overview of the physical principles of remote sensing and covers a number of environmental applications of Earth observation techniques. Theoretical understanding developed in lectures is combined with ‘hands-on’ practical skills in digital image processing and air photograph interpretation.


Environmental Research Methods


Students undertake several themed local classes on site assessment, water quality and sedimentology. Each develops a range of field skills supplemented by laboratory-based analytical work. These are supported by a problem-solving student-led workshop on Research Design.


Ecology and Conservation Biology


This module introduces the basic principles of ecology and conservation biology, covering fundamental aspects of population and evolutionary ecology and community ecology and examines the challenges and opportunities posed by conservation.


Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal


This module reviews the legislative obligations imposed on the planning system and environmental management agencies with respect to environmental management processes and techniques for assessing the sustainability of development proposals, plans, programmes and policies.


Planning in the Countryside


This module enables students to develop critical understanding of the theories appropriate to planning in the countryside and develops understanding of the current planning issues in countryside management and the nature of the partnership relationships involved in resolving conflicts in the countryside.


In addition to these modules, Level 3 Environmental Science students can also choose from the following Geography modules:


Population Geography


This module focuses on demographic change in the developed and developing worlds and addresses key questions about processes such as mortality, fertility and internal migration.


annual ceilidh. Environmental Science students, together with Geography students, regularly organise expeditions to different parts of the world. In recent years groups of students have successfully raised funds and sponsorship to travel to Iceland and the European Alps, where they have carried out scientific research projects


into glacier hazards, environmental change and human impacts on the environment.


For further information see www.dundee.ac.uk/envscience


as well as Physical and Human Geography, who deliver a diverse and up-to-date syllabus, complemented by talks by practising Environmental Scientists. This provides you not only with an academic understanding of environmental issues, but also the practical skills to tackle environmental problems through techniques such as site investigation and sustainable resource management. Fieldwork is an important component of Environmental Science and Dundee has unrivalled access to a


superb range of sites for field classes, including mountains, lowlands, coasts, estuaries and urban environments, supplemented by a week long field class in south-east Spain. In addition to taught field classes, you will have the opportunity to conduct your own field investigations under the supervision of Environmental Science staff. A Joint Honours degree with Geography is available.


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