Course summary

Course Details Anthropogenic climate change is disrupting global environmental processes, creating intersecting environmental crises that affect both human and non-human life. These challenges include: increased frequency and magnitude of hazardous events such as landslides, floods and droughts; land degradation; melting of polar/mountain glaciers, ice caps and permafrost; and rising sea levels.   This MSc responds to the question of how we can address these challenges in order to develop sustainable futures. The programme brings together state-of-the-art research in environmental processes across diverse systems from polar regions to deserts under changing climates, and advanced approaches to data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. On this programme, you will develop a detailed understanding of the relations and feedbacks between climate change and environmental processes. You will gain advanced-level skills of data collection, analysis, and interpretation needed for decision making under conditions of uncertainty and incomplete data. You will also gain experience of working with partners, alongside the leadership and engagement and communication skills necessary to help you contribute to global efforts to enhance environmental sustainability. The course is designed to equip students for a wide range of environmental sustainability related jobs across multiple sectors and in different national contexts. Students will exit the programme understanding the impact of anthropogenic climate change on environmental processes at different scales, and equipped with the skills to research, evaluate, propose and lead solutions that foster environmental sustainability. Why Durham University? Geography at Durham explores the very real challenges facing the world, be they natural or a consequence of human activity. Through teaching and research in risk, climate change, sustainable futures, hazards and security, we provide in-depth insight into these problems and how they might be resolved using practical and sustainable solutions. The Department of Geography is a global academic centre for the study of physical and human geography. Our high-quality research and our industry connections combine to create a learning experience underpinned by the theory and practice to take on the challenges we face as a result of natural events and human activity. Facilities The Department of Geography is located on the main campus of Durham University at Lower Mountjoy, not far from the historic centre of the city with UNESCO World Heritage status. Career Opportunities Studying in a department with a global reputation for the quality of research, our postgraduates are well placed to continue research at a higher level or progress into a rewarding professional career. Taught courses are designed to develop the transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers such as the ability to analyse and communicate complex data and make decisions, and our postgraduates are much valued in areas such as government, non-governmental organisations and the charity sector. Other roles in which postgraduates make a real difference to people and communities include environmental consultancy, conservation, town planning, geopolitical risk analysis, market research, insurance, development work, health, public policy, social research, logistics, education, energy, utilities, tourism, banking, law, PR, IT.