Course summary

In the last decades the challenges posed by climate change and the need to reduce our carbon footprint to ensure a sustainable future has driven the field of engineering geology increasingly towards the environmental sector. Site investigations are now strictly linked to environmental assessments and there is nowadays a requirement to follow specific guidelines in the geotechnical engineering sector with respect of contaminated land. Engineering geology and applied environmental geology are key for the sustainable development of our cities and society. Nonetheless new challenges are requiring a diversification and a broadening of the fields of practice and the integration of new technologies that are able to improve and enhance its effectiveness. The geotechnical and environmental industry and the consultancy market, a key destination for suitably skilled graduates, has remained strong during the oil and gas industry crisis, during the COVID-19 crises, and is also predicted to remain strong after Brexit. However, the rapid changes and the digitalisation of our environment requires a refresh in our approach to engineering geology practice. This needs to include and incorporate environmental assessment and practice and it needs to take into account the evolution of the technologies and the coming of the age of Big Data. This new approach can only be achieved with an increased diversity and interdisciplinarity in our practice. The MSc in Environmental and Engineering Geology would develop these innovative approaches and enable students to face these new challenges with effectiveness and creativity. It will in particular focus on the development of key skills that have been identified as important and lacking in junior graduate professionals by a survey among different companies in UK. These includes environmental sampling and analysis planning; project management skills; quantification of uncertainty and risk; site investigation assessment methods. This programme is designed to meet the increasing demand for graduates from the private and public sectors. Building on the long-term experience in postgraduate studies in the environmental sectors and on the strong expertise in both the geological and the environmental science field, the MSc in Environmental and Engineering Geology is the perfect response to the current changes in the sector and to societal demand.