Postgraduate Programme
for Marine and Environmental Studies
Climate Change is recognised as having potentially huge impacts on the environment and on human society. The study of the causes and impacts of Climate Change and the measures needed for humans to deal with it through mitigation and adaptation measures is a truly interdisciplinary complex of topics. It is essential that scientists, engineers and environmental decision-makers understand the fundamentals of the causes, impacts and management measures involved in dealing with such important issues.
This MSc course offers one Core module to introduce the Climate Change causes and impacts (Semester 1) and reviews the possible mitigation and adaptation measures in another Core module (Semester 2). The course structure therefore allows for three optional modules each semester from amongst all relevant modules in the University's postgraduate syllabus so that a ‘tailored' course can be constructed.
For potential optional modules please refer to module/subject areas available and listed in other School MSc courses, specifically those of School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Mathematics and Computer Science, and School of the Built Environment. Advice will be given on the most appropriate modules available from the different Schools of the University in topics ranging across scientific, engineering, economics and management modules. The core subject areas involved are as follows:
Core Subjects
Large global changes, and Climate Change in particular, are having significant impacts on the environment. The study of impacts and mitigation/adaptation measures in the marine environment requires a truly interdisciplinary approach. It is essential that scientists, engineers and environmental decision-makers understand the fundamentals of the causes, impacts and management measures involved in dealing with such important issues. The course specialises in the challenges facing the marine environment and is part of the University's programme of teaching and research in Climate Change related issues. There are a variety of optional modules available but the Core Subjects involved are as follows:
Core Subjects
The School of Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, including the Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology (CMBB), employs nearly 50 academic staff. Key research topics include environmental biology, a largely marine-based discipline developed from the involvement of the University in North Sea oil exploration, as well as biotechnology, centred on micro-organisms and the identification and exploitation of naturally occurring substances. Our environmental related research received a Grade 4 rating in the Research Assessment Exercise (2001).
Approximately 80 postgraduate students, pursuing either a taught course or engaging in research, are presently working on-campus in the School. Discussion groups and journal clubs are held regularly to provide both students and staff with an opportunity to talk about their work and that of others. In addition, at any given time, approximately 150 students are pursuing postgraduate distance learning qualifications.
The Postgraduate Programme for Marine and Environmental Studies (PPMES) is built on the well established MSc/Diploma in Marine Resource Development and Protection (MRDP), which has been running for 22 years and, each year, has three Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) studentships to award.
Fees and funding/scholarships
MRDP has three Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) studentships to award.
A
number of SAAS funded places (fees only) are available.
http://www.saas.gov.uk/student_support/special_circumstances/postgrad.htm
http://www.saas.gov.uk/student_support/special_circumstances/postgrad_eligibility.htm
In the case of the MRes,
a limited number of industrial bursaries will be available in 2008! Each has a value of £3,000.
Fresh talent, working in Scotland
Overseas students who graduate with a degree from a Scottish University are able to take up employment in Scotland for up to two years after completing their studies without requiring a work permit. Further information can be found at the Fresh Talent website www.scotlandistheplace.com
All of the courses are modular and interdisciplinary in nature, allowing flexibility and the opportunity to tailor the content to dovetail with previous experience.
Programme start date: September, 2008
DURATION: One year (MRes)
A limited number of industrial bursaries are available for 2008 - each has a value of £3,000.
The Master of Research in Environmental Analysis and Assessment is a new, practically- orientated, 12-month course that will equip students with the theoretical and practical skills to enter a laboratory-based environment undertaking work in environmental analysis, or to continue to a PhD degree. The course content includes: the design of monitoring programmes; environmental sampling; the chemical analysis of a wide range of pollutants, with an emphasis on hydrocarbons and oilfield chemicals; the use of biomarkers in environmental assessment; and the identification and role of microorganisms in the degradation of pollutants.
The course is structured into three units: two in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2. Each unit comprises a theoretical module and an accompanying practical module. The practical modules will focus on the production of different outputs: a research report, a ‘consultancy style' report, a ‘conference style' presentation and a scientific paper, and develop critical skills in research planning, problem solving and data evaluation. The student will then carry out a practical research study, commencing in Semester 2 and extending over the summer period, culminating in the production of a dissertation. Module descriptions are given below:
Semester 1
Module 1: Environmental Sampling and Analysis
Chemistry of environmental pollutants, extraction techniques, sample clean-up,
instrumental analysis techniques (spectroscopic, chromatographic), survey
design, data processing, statistical treatments, laboratory safety and accreditation.
Module 2: Environmental Sampling and Analysis - Practical Investigation
Practical application of methods of polluatnt analysis in water, sediment
and soil samples: generation, interpretation and reporting of chemical data.
Module 3: Environmental Toxicology
Principle of aquatic toxicology. You will learn how to access and interpret
ecotoxicological data within the framework of relevant legislation, industrial
processes, and the immediate and long-term hazards and risks that may be
caused by exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. You will be introduced
to biomarkers of exposure of marine and estuarine organisms to metals and
organic pollutants on various levels of biological organisation.
Module 4: Environmental Toxicology - Practical Investigation
Practical application of selected biomarkers in marine invertebrates
Semester 2
A choice of either Oilfield Chemicals or Environmental Microbiology
Module 5: Oilfield Chemicals: Measurement and Fate in the Marine Environment
This module aims to provide you with a grounding in the sources of pollution
and the fundamental science that underpins the movement and fate of pollutants
in the marine environment, as well as an understanding of the methods used
in their analysis. Current legislation aimed at both preventing pollution
and limiting the concentrations of pollutants released into the environment
will also be addressed.
Module 6: Oilfield Chemicals - Practical Investigation
This module will introduce you to laboratory techniques for the analysis
and characterisation of oilfield chemicals. Techniques will include: sample
extraction and clean-up; classical as well as advanced analytical methods
(e.g. GC-MS, ESI-LC-MS/MS). You will also learn how to produce a scientific
paper of a consultancy report.
or
Module 7: Environmental Microbiology
This module will introduce you to basic techniques used in species identification
and the application of microorganisms in environmental remediation.
Module 8: Environmental Microbiology - Practical Investigation
This module will introduce you to the relevant principles underlying environmental
assessment of the practical techniques used to identify and utilise microorganisms
in environmental remediation. Techniques will include: acquisition, storage
and transportation of marine samples; recovery, identification and quantification
of marine micorbial populations; interpretation and presentation of data.
Research Project
Research Project and Dissertation commencing in Semester 2 and extending over the summer period.
The importance is recognised of the need for an interdisciplinary
approach to both the development and the protection of ocean and coastal
resources. It is essential that scientists and future environmental decision-makers
understand the fundamentals and impacts of the technologies involved in
different development options whilst engineers should be encouraged to adopt
an understanding of the environmental, socio-economic and political aspects
of any proposed project.
This Masters degree has a modular structure providing sufficient flexibility
to meet the wide variations in background of entrants - and their respective
individual career plans. A major aim of the course is to provide students
with training in holistic approaches to addressing and solving environmental
problems and we strive to maintain a mix of entrants from different disciplines,
from UK, EU and overseas, and from both recent graduates as well as entrants
with industrial experience. This mix has previously proven extremely useful
in widening the horizons of the individual class members. The course has
modules that aim to cover topics corresponding to priority areas of NERC's
science strategy, particularly in the marine sustainability and climate
change area of Marine Science and Technology (i.e. impacts of exploitation,
role of biodiversity, water quality, climate change measures). In addition,
also covered within several modules are the general priority areas of Biodiversity,
Environmental Risks and Hazards, Natural Resource Management, Pollution
and Waste, and, as described above, all with an emphasis on an interdisciplinary
approach. The aim of other training, such as collaborating with colleagues
from other disciplines in teamwork exercises and generic and transferable
skills included in the course, provides a good grounding for graduates to
go into relevant employment and further study.
Semester 1
Core Modules
A29MR Marine Resources: Utilisation, Interactions and Control
A29SC Marine Conservation and Sustainability
Optional Modules
A29CC Climate Change: Causes and Impacts
A29TM Diversity of Marine Organisms
A29JA Environmental Sampling and Analysis
A29JB Practical Environmental Sampling and Analysis
A29OM Oceanography and Marine Ecology
A29WA Environmental Toxicology
A29WB Practical Environmental Toxicology
Semester 2
Core Modules
A29EM Coastal and Estuarine Science and Management
A29PC Marine Monitoring and Pollution Control
Optional Modules
A29BT Marine Biotechnology
A29AM Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Measures
A29KA Environmental Microbiology
A29KB Practical Environmental Microbiology
A29VA Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment
A29VB Practical Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment
A29FS Shellfish, Fisheries and Bioresource Exploitation
A29DV Diving Science
A29HG Research Methods
A29KA Environmental Microbiology
A29KB Practical Environmental Microbiology
Summer Period
Research Project and Dissertation
1) Prerequisite: A29JA Environmental Sampling and Analysis
2) Prerequiste: A29WA Environmental Toxicology
3) Prerequisite: A29VA Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment
4) Prerequisite: A29KA Environmental Microbiology
This course aims to provide you with a clear understanding of taxonomic groups, their ecology and physiology, as well as biotechnological techniques. This interdisciplinary approach will not only allow you to recognise potential sources of naturally occurring substances, but also provide you with the tools to exploit them. You will also be in a position to work in both a marine field setting as well as a high-tech laboratory environment.
Semester 1
Core Modules
A29SC Marine Conservation and Sustainability
A29TM Diversity of Marine Organisms
Optional Modules
A29MR Marine Resources: Unitlisation, Interactions and Control
A29CC Climate Change: Causes and Impacts
A29JA Environmental Sampling and Analysis
A29JB Practical Environmental Sampling and Analysis
A29WA Environmental Toxicology
A29WB Practical Environmental Toxicology
A29OM Oceanography and Marine Ecology
Semester 2
Core Modules
A29PC Marine Monitoring and Pollution Control
A29BT Marine Biotechnology
Optional Modules
A29EM Coastal and Estuarine Science and Management
A29AM Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Measures
A29VA Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment
A29VB Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment Practical
A29FS Shellfish, Fisheries and Bioresource Exploitation
A29DV Diving Science
A29HG Research Methods
A29KA Environmental Microbiology
A29KB Practical Environmental Microbiology
Summer Period
Research Project and Dissertation
1) Prerequisite: A29JA Environmental Sampling and Analysis
2) Prerequiste:
A29WA Environmental Toxicology
3) Prerequisite:
A29VA Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment
4) Prerequisite:
A29KA Environmental Microbiology
Registration and Application Process
Alternatively,
please click here for an application form
Click here for notes on for completing the application form
If you require further information, please contact the relevant course directors (click on contacts).