MSc(Agr) Environmental Resource Management

The MSc Environmental Resource Management is an established programme designed for those who wish to undertake advanced studies in the pursuit of a career in the environmental sciences.

Sustainable management of our environmental resources is at the heart of some of the key challenges facing humanity today; food security, climate change, biodiversity loss, and the protection of water and soil resources. During this MSc particular emphasis is placed on exploring these globally important environmental issues, in agriculture and other land use systems. Graduates will gain the knowledge necessary to address these needs through a combination of environmental science, policy and management expertise.

The programme fosters in its graduates the qualities of self-motivation and critical thinking. Core elements of the programme include: literature review and knowledge assimilation; core lab, field and IT skills including use of GIS and remote sensing software; experimental survey design, quantitative data analysis and communication skills.

Individual and group work assignments are designed to develop individual, teamwork and leadership skills. These skills will culminate and be tested further in the final semester when students complete a supervised research project. Fieldwork is involved in many of the modules offered, including visits to leading extension, advisory and research programmes in the area of sustainable environmental resource management.

The minor thesis component offers a very broad choice of research topics that allow students to focus on a specific subject area of interest. Students are assigned an academic supervisor with research interests and expertise in the thesis subject area.

Vision and Values Statement

The MSc in Environmental Resource Management is designed for those who wish to undertake advanced studies in the pursuit of a career in the environmental sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on exploring globally important environmental issues, including climate change, and the sustainable management of soil, plant and water resources in agriculture and other land use systems. The programme fosters in its graduates the qualities of self-motivation and critical thinking. For those with an inquiring mind, a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving agri-environmental and food security concerns is provided, which in combination with an understanding of effective policy-making, leads to sustainable management practice. The programme structure is supportive of guided self-learning and provides the opportunity to develop key skills across the agri-environmental sciences. Core elements of the programme include: literature review and knowledge assimilation; core lab, field and IT skills (including use of GIS and remote sensing software); experimental/survey design and quantitative data analysis; and written and verbal communication skills. Use is made of individual and group work assignments designed to develop individual, teamwork and leadership skills. These skills will culminate and be tested further in the final semester when the student does an independent supervised project.

Who should apply?

Full-Time option suitable for:

• Domestic (EEA) applicants: Yes
• International (Non-EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region: Yes

What modules can I take?

Stage 1 - Core

• Data Analysis for Biologists
• Research Project (AESC) 2
• Human Impact on the Environment
• Seminar Presentation
• Soil, Plant & Water Resources
• Geographic Information Systems
• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
• Literature Review (AESC)
• Practical Research Skills
• Ecological Modelling
• Environmental Assessment

Stage 1 - Option

• Wildlife Conservation
• One Health
• Carbon & Sustainability

• Apply learned skills and competencies in environmental consultancy, evaluation and assessment.
• Appreciate the functional benefits of natural processes within managed rural ecosystems.
• Combine the use of core lab, field and IT skills in scientific study and evaluation.
• Devise and interpret environmental studies/evaluations involving the collection, appropriate analysis and reporting of resulting observations.
• Evaluate the wider environmental issues and challenges of food production and security, and appreciate the objectives of national, EU and international policy.
• Integrate scientific understanding in sustainable management and policy approaches.
• Interpret the ecological processes and cycles that underpin sustainable management of natural resources.
• Understand the key terrestrial ecosystem services such as climate and water regulation and nutrient cycling, and how they may be promoted by effective and sustainable land management practices.

Careers & Employability

The career prospects for graduates from the MSc Environmental Resource Management are wide-ranging, with environmental management increasingly fundamental to industrial, service and public sectors. Graduates secure roles in the private and public sectors across government agencies, local authorities, county councils and others.

This programme has a successful track record with the Irish Aid Fellowships.

Graduate Roles:

• Environmental Consultancy
• Environmental Advisory
• Environmental Engineering
• Regulatory Authorities
• Policy
• Research