Course description
General programme structure
Considerable scientific uncertainty exists in any predictions about the future; the Earth"s natural systems are not, and never have been, free from change. Natural variability is an intrinsic factor in all ecosystems and can be better understood by studying the Earth"s environmental history. We can make informed management decisions about the future of the global environment only by understanding the scientific aspects of this subject area.
The Global Change programme is designed to fulfil the need for such understanding, providing the scientific knowledge, information and skills to enable you to identify and manage key global issues of the future. These skills are particularly relevant for those seeking to pursue a career in environmental consultancies, government agencies or in academia. You will benefit from the interdisciplinary nature of the course; modules in data collection and analysis, research and project design are combined with the scientific basis of various changing environmental systems to provide an excellent grounding for your specialist research and dissertation. Our strong industry links provide relevant opportunities for research and dissertation projects.
Detailed programme structure
These taught modules can also be taken as part of the four-year NewRoutePhD in Geosciences.
Core modules
-Skills and methods in research
-Scientific basis of environmental systems
-Fundamentals of meteorology and climatology
-Global environmental variability, science and policies
-Dissertation
Option modules
-Marine micropalaeontology
-Isotopic and geochemical analysis of the sedimentary record
-Multi-variate analysis for environmental research
-Principles and applications of electron microscopy
-Economics and the environment
-Land degradation: an integrated approach
Further study, research and employment opportunities
MRes Global Environmental Change graduates have a strong track record in gaining employment both within related industries and across a number of different professions and organisations. This is due to the wide range of skills they have developed in the study of the subject through hands-on learning activities such as fieldwork, laboratory work and team based projects. Working in the natural environment provides opportunities for project work that are different, unexpected and challenging. The skills and qualities developed through studying for a masters in Global Environmental Change degree are highly transferable into a variety of roles and different working environments, and form the basis of the real contributions highly motivated and able employees can make to an organisation. In particular, the ability to think through complex issues, analyse situations and provide creative solutions, and to work with others and in unfamiliar environments, are skills common to all Global Environmental Change graduates. As a result, our graduates leave with a highly desirable suite of skills which are a premium to all types of organisations.
The first careers entered into by full time students who have completed the programme have included:
-Project Co-ordinator for Marine Conservation Society
-Wildlife Ranger
-Soil Contamination Surveyor
-Environmental Agency Development Control Engineer
-Micropalaeontologist/Biostratigrapher
-Geotechnical Engineer
-PhD researchers
-Outdoor Activity Centre worker
-British Energy Environmental Manager
-Sediment Analyst
