MSc Environmental Science: Integrated Management of Freshwater Environments
Programme Convenor:
Professor Angela Gurnell, Room 212, email: a.m.gurnell@qmul.ac.uk
This programme – taught by experts in the School of Geography and the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, with contributions from industry practitioners - aims to provide in-depth fundamental and applied training in the science and management of freshwater environments from uplands and hillslopes through floodplain and river networks to estuaries, and to produce scientists able to use the knowledge and skills acquired to enter direct employment or research for a higher degree in the broad field of freshwater environments and their management.
The programme includes a wide range of compulsory field training for which a charge of £500 is made. In 2012 the compulsory field course will be located at our research site on the Tagliamento River, Italy, providing an opportunity to study a dynamic, near-natural river, as a context for work on our more heavily impacted research sites in the south east of England. Here we focus particularly on heavily modified water bodies in and around London, using our river and estuarine research sites and research data (e.g. www.urbanriversurvey.org). An optional, management-focused field visit to Florida is also available.
The laboratory-based aspects programme are taught within the Centre for Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments (CATE) with access to ‘state of the art’ analytical facilities developed from an initial investment by SRIF of £3 million.
The programme aims to produce scientists of the highest calibre capable of addressing priority freshwater resource and sustainable management issues needing interdisciplinary solutions.
Grounding for these areas is given through the development of (i) transferable skills (report writing, problem solving, IT and data handling, verbal communication, presentation skills) and (ii) appropriate core and specialist scientific and technical knowledge and skills to support a career in the water industry or in freshwater science research.
For direct employment in water management, the programme emphasises the information needs for policy and decision making and provides for a close interface with scientists active in this area through visiting lecturers, industrial visits and project placements within the water industry.
For PhD aspirants, the range of internal and visiting expert contributors provide an awareness of current and emerging issues and there is opportunity to develop further research skills through an individual research project rather than an industrial placement.
The programme benefits greatly from close links with the following organisations through its Advisory Board and Student Project Placements and Collaborations:
Atkins Global
Chilterns Conservation Board
Environment Agency
Natural England
Wessex Water
The programme is available on FT (12 months) and/or PT basis (24 months or 36 months) and is made up of 180 credits:
Compulsory modules
SEMESTER A
Data Analysis GEG7205 (15 credits)
Field Methods for Freshwater Environmental Science GEG7306 (15 credits)
Aquatic Systems: Hydrological, Hydrochemical and Geomorphological Processes GEG7301 (15 credits)
Aquatic Systems: Structure and Function SBSM002 (15 credits)
SEMESTER B
Biogeochemistry: Carbon, Nutrients and Pollutants in Aquatic Systems GEG7303 (15 credits)
Catchment Hydrology: Managing Water Resources and Hydrological Extremes GEG7304 (15 credits)
Hydrogeomorphology: River and Floodplain Appraisal and Management GEG7307 (15 credits)
SEMESTER C
Individual Research Project / Industrial Placement GEG7308 (60 credits) (Core module)
Option Modules
IMFE Desk Study GEG7305 (15 credits)
Streams and Rivers SBSM014 (15 credits)
Lakes and Ponds SBSM027 (15 credits)
Programme Team
The programme is led by the Hydrogeomorphological and Biogeochemical Processes Group of the School of Geography with support from academic staff of the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (SBCS) at QMUL, including:
From Geography: Dr Lisa Belyea, Professor Angela Gurnell, Dr Gemma Harvey, Dr Kate Heppell, Dr Kate Spencer, Dr Geraldene Wharton
From SBCS: Dr Jonathan Grey, Dr Mark Trimmer, Dr Guy Woodward
Facilities:
The research and teaching of the Hydrogeomorphological and Biogeochemical Processes Group is supported by excellent field and laboratory facilities.
A wide range of field equipment is available and laboratory space includes specialist laboratories for wet chemistry, sediment physical and chemical analysis, and equipment includes Laser particle sizer, Simultaneous ICP-OES, Dionex Ion Exchange Chromatograph, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, TOC/TNb Analyser, Elemental Analyser, Gas Chromatograph, X-ray microtomograph.
The group has several well-instrumented research sites within southern England as well as a long-established programme on the Tagliamento River Italy.
For more detail:
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