Lancaster Environment Centre Masters and PhD Study

Lancaster Environment Centre

Lancaster University

The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) provides a strong research-based environment for the provision of training and education programmes at postgraduate level. The research themes and centres provide a vibrant environment for postgraduate research students who contribute directly to the research achievements and provide a distinctive flavour to our extensive postgraduate programme. Students on the taught postgraduate degrees (masters degrees) undertake a substantial research project with staff working within LEC or with an external organisation.

Taught Courses
Our masters courses combine taught modules with a substantial research project and all our Masters students have the opportunity to undertake a two-week industrial placement, and also the possibility of undertaking a longer industrial project over a few months with an outside organisation.

A range of assessed modules are offered and are supported by generic skills training which will aid the general development of students. Our taught courses help students develop transferable skills appropriate to careers in research, consultancy or industry.

Funding
Places are available on a self-funding basis, and a number of faculty and department bursaries are available to Home/EU and Overseas students. Several NERC studentships are available to home and EU students for the MRes Science of the Environment and MSc Environmental Informatics courses.

Courses
• MSc in Environmental Science and Technology: Considers established and emerging themes in environmental science and technology within a commercial setting. Students choose from around 40 modules.

• MSc in Sustainable Water Management: Provides training in the qualitative and quantitative skills required to manage water resources. The research project may be in collaboration with external agencies in the water industry.

• MSc in Conservation Science: The scheme aims to provide students with an understanding of the challenges facing people working in conservation today, including the major international problems of loss of biodiversity, encompassing the effects of rapid climate change, habitat destruction and invasive species.

• MRes in Science of the Environment: Provides research training and opportunities to proceed directly into employment or on to doctoral study. Students will receive training in data analysis, project management and research skills.

• MSc/PgDip in Resource and Environmental Management: Provides students with a critical understanding of how natural resources can be sustainably managed by applying tools and techniques.

• MSc in Contaminated Land and Remediation: Covers many aspects of assessment and remediation of contaminated sites. Taught by academically driven researchers and end-user practitioners.

• MSc in Ecology and the Environment: This degree provides students with an understanding of the relationships between living organisms and their physical, chemical and biotic environment.

• MSc in Environmental and Biochemical Toxicology: Is aimed at individuals with a research interest in the toxic effects of foreign compounds on cells systems.

• MRes/PgDip in Environment and Development (Overseas Placement): Provides students with training in fieldwork techniques, knowledge of key theories and concepts related to current development issues. Each student undertakes a five-month research placement in a developing country.

• MSc in Environmental Hazards: Is for students with an interest in environmental hazards, in the context of quantitative physical environmental science.

• MSc/PgDip in Environmental Informatics: Students gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles and are able to apply their expertise to the acquisition, analysis, management and dissemination of environmental information.

• MSc/PgDip in Environmental Performance Management: offers comprehensive training in the principles and practices; covering issues ranging from the disposal of waste through to public communication and environmental dispute resolution.

• MSc in Environmental Pollution and Protection: Covers aspects of the science of pollution, from pollutant behaviour to the assessment of management and remediation strategies.

• MSc in Management and the Environment: Delivered jointly with the 6* Lancaster University Management School. Students will get a grounding in economics, accounting, marketing, together with modules in applied environmental science.

Research Degrees

MPhil/PhD
The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) requires students to undertake original research of publishable quality and present the substantial body of work either as a bound thesis or a collection of peer refereed papers. Students are given every opportunity to make an individual research contribution, while being supported in their work and receiving appropriate training.

A great strength of LEC is its ability to share expertise and ideas from many disciplines to provide the flexibility of approach which is so important in the dynamic, rapidly developing discipline of environmental science. Although the work is often organised within the groups outlined, there is much collaborative activity which transcends these boundaries.

PhD topics are often advertised nationally, via recruitment websites, although you can propose your own topic. However, this latter route requires you to have funding for three years study (fees and subsistence) and to have agreed with a member of academic staff that they will supervise you.

MSc by Research
• MSc in Ecology (by Research)
• MSc in Environmental Science (by Research)
• MSc in Plant Sciences (by Research)

This degree is designed to fit around the applicant’s research interests and is assessed on a piece of original research carried out with the Department, and subsequent submission of a dissertation. The course is suitable for students wanting to undertake only research, rather than taught courses and is particularly suited to those who may wish to undertake research associated with their employment but would like to submit the work as a thesis for a higher degree. A range of research opportunities are available.

Typically, a student will be expected to undertake an induction course, followed by an eight-month research project, and then spend three further months writing up the dissertation. Part-time students can spread their study over two years.