Transcript AS-Brochure-29-10-09.. - UCL Department of Geography

LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
MSc Aquatic Science
A new multidisciplinary degree
www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/aquatic
Aquatic Science at UCL
Environmental issues such as eutrophication, habitat degradation and
climate change threaten the sustainability of our aquatic resources.
Responding to these threats the MSc in Aquatic Science at UCL equips
students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the structure and
functioning of aquatic environments from upland catchments to the coastal
zone, encompassing lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands, groundwaters,
estuaries and shallow seas.
Distinctive features of the programme include the integration of aquatic ecology with
hydrological and geomorphological processes, the analysis of sediment cores for the
reconstruction of past environmental change, the design of aquatic monitoring programmes,
and the modelling of aquatic system dynamics. The MSc offers a sound training in field
sampling, study design, instrumentation, numerical analysis, modelling and the taxonomy of
a range of aquatic organisms.
The UCL MSc in Aquatic Science provides an ideal foundation for PhD research, or for
employment with environmental protection and conservation agencies, the water industry
and environmental consultancies.
As one of the world’s top universities, UCL
excels
across
the
physical
and
natural
sciences, social sciences and humanities. The
MSc is run by UCL Geography, which enjoys
an outstanding international reputation for its
research and teaching. Research groups
contributing
to
concerned
with
the
MSc
include
Environmental
those
Change;
Environmental Modelling; and Environment,
Landscape and Society. The programme also
benefits from the contribution of staff from
external organisations. By bringing together
students, researchers and practitioners in
water management we aim to create a vibrant
and informal academic environment of mutual
discovery and on-going debate.
Programme structure
All students take four core aquatic science modules in the first term and
choose a further four modules from a range of options in the second
term. Additionally, students undertake a piece of original research
leading to a dissertation of up to 15,000 words with the support of an
academic supervisor.
1st term (60 credits)
Core module 1: Aquatic systems
An introduction to the structure and functioning of aquatic systems along a continuum from the
mountain zone to the coastal shelf. Hydrological, geomorphological, physico-chemical and biological
processes and system linkages are examined in the context of current legislative frameworks.
Core module 2: Aquatic monitoring
Covers the design and implementation of chemical, biological and physical monitoring systems, and
the techniques necessary for intelligent acquisition of aquatic system data. Case-studies cover a wide
range of environments, including lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters in the light of recent
changes in environmental legislation and advances in instrument technology.
Core module 3: Quantitative environmental palaeoecology
An introduction to sediment core analysis and its application to issues of recent aquatic environmental
change, such as lake acidification, eutrophication and climate change. Practical classes provide
taxonomic expertise for a range of fossil groups.
Core module 4: Environmental data acquisition and analysis
A residential fieldclass provides practical experience of quantitative field sampling across different
aquatic environments and in the context of key management and conservation issues. This module
also covers laboratory procedures and numerical analysis of environmental data-sets.
2nd term (60 credits)
Options may include: Aquatic Macrophytes, Coastal Change, Environmental GIS, Lakes, Marine
Conservation, Science and Politics of Climate Change, Surface Water Modelling, and Wetlands.
3rd term (60 credits)
Dissertation (15,000 words)
Programme information
The programme can be taken full-time over one year
or part-time.
Entry requirements
Potential applicants are expected to have a first or
upper second-class Honours degree in a relevant
discipline (e.g. Environmental Science, Geography,
Oceanography, Biology, Chemistry or Engineering)
from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an
equivalent
standard.
professional
Applicants
experience
in
with
aquatic
relevant
science
or
environmental management will also be considered.
Funding
For funding details please visit
www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships
How to apply
Contact the Graduate Admissions Assistant
([email protected]) to request a Graduate
Application Pack.
Application materials may also be downloaded at
www.ucl.ac.uk/admission/graduate-study/applicationadmission/
Further information
Academic enquiries may be addressed to
[email protected]
Further information is available at:
www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/aquatic
Lecturing staff include
Jan Axmacher
Helen Bennion
Helene Burningham
Chris Curtis
Sophie des Clers
Jon French
Peter Jones
Jonathan Holmes
Anson Mackay
Carl Sayer
Sam Randalls
Richard Taylor
Julian Thompson