MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control
Degree awarded: MSc
Duration (years): 1
The programme is designed to meet the growing need, internationally, for scientists who are able to understand and solve environmental problems. Since most environmental problems are interdisciplinary in nature, the MSc Pollution and Environmental Control is founded upon a variety of environmental science, engineering and social science disciplines. It was established over 20 years ago, and now has an international status, attracting students, mainly with good first degrees in a science or engineering discipline, from all parts of the world. Key employers of graduate from this course include companies and public enterprise, central and local government, consultancies and education and research.
Aim
The aim of this programme is to
- provide interdisciplinary foundation training for students from a natural science or engineering background intending to pursue a career, with or without further postgraduate training, in pollution control, environmental management or resource conservation.
- provide an understanding of the nature of explanation in social science, natural science and engineering as applied to research or other investigative activity in pollution control and environmental management.
- provide generic and subject-specific training in research design and methods of data collection and analysis.
- provide subject-specific training in the social, economic, legal, planning and engineering dimensions of environmental protection and resource conservation tailored to the student's research interests and/or career needs.
- provide subject-specific training on how natural systems function and the perturbations to those systems arising from human activity, again tailored to the student's research interests and/or career needs.
- Meet the needs of employers that require an ability to bring sound science and current thinking to environmental problems.
- foster interdisciplinary study within the School and within the University through provision of high quality students to carry out projects.
- enable the student systematically to research the area of environmental pollution via the literature and create an ordered structured report on a subject of relevance to the course and their own interests.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students should have knowledge of:
- The mechanisms by which pollution arises and is transmitted in the environment.
- The impact of pollution and resource utilisation on humans and the natural and built environment
- The policy instruments (legal, economic, planning and technological) to control resource use and waste generation and disposal to and mitigate their impact on the environment in order to achieve protection, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and, protection of human health and well-being
- The main research questions and understand the methodologies applied specifically to pollution control and environmental management
Career
The pattern of employment varies between years, according to the changing pattern of job opportunities. However, graduates from this course have been very successful in obtaining relevant environment-related employment in areas such as industry, local and central authorities, consultancies, and education and research. Typically, 20-30% of students completing the course then undertake postgraduate research. A student who has successfully completed this Masters programme to a good standard can be admitted to the doctoral programmes in Biology, Social Science and Environmental Engineering without being required to undertake foundation training in the first year of study.
Entry Requirements
- Applications are welcome from students with a good first degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in a scientific or technological discipline from a recognised university. First degrees in other subject areas or people with degree-equivalent qualifications may also be considered for entry.
Overseas students would also need to demonstrate competence in English language, for example, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
How to apply
We welcome applications for Masters degrees any time of year. However, to maximise your chances of securing a place, you are advised to apply as early as possible in the academic year.
Application forms and further details are also available from Mrs R. Rana at the address below. It is also possible to apply on-line.
If you want to read the latest Course Handbook (containing details of the course modules) you can download it here.
Pollution and Environmental Control handbook 2010
Undergraduate & Postgraduate Admissions Enquiries
Michael Atherton
Michael.Atherton@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)161 275 0776
