Course summary

There is a global need for an interdisciplinary approach to combat the effects of climate change on the marine environment. MSc Climate Change: Managing the Marine Environment provides those of you with a bachelor-level graduate degree in biology the opportunity to build your marine biology knowledge and expertise with emphasis on challenging climate change and solving maritime environmental issues. For those of you from a different academic background, the programme offers you the opportunity to prepare for employment in the marine management and planning sector. Through studying a broad range of relevant and topical issues, you’ll gain an understanding of the causes, impacts and management measures involved in dealing with issues in the marine environment. You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of the main disciplines and associated technologies in managing impacts of climate change in the maritime environment, the ethics and standards relevant to professional scientific and engineering practice, and the social, economic, and environmental impact of change to marine ecosystems with an international context. Customise your learning You’ll take five mandatory courses that will provide you with knowledge of marine environmental monitoring, marine resources and sustainability, and climate change. You’ll gain skills in geographical information software (GIS) for marine scientists and environmentalists, and you’ll increase your applied research, design, and analysis skills. You can customise your learning to match your specific interests or desired career pathway by choosing three optional courses from a range of over ten environmental, marine, and energy transition specialist courses, including oceanography, environmental processes, marine biotechnology, and transition engineering. In semester three, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation into your chosen area of marine science through your dissertation. You’ll be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by researching, investigating, and reporting on a specialist topic relating to the subject area, and you’ll be required to do this within the time and resources available. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in field work in Malaysia through the optional fully credited Tropical and Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management course. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the marine environment whilst learning different techniques for surveying and monitoring coral reefs. Take a look at our experiences during our Malaysia field trip in 2024. Employability Below are just a few examples of the wide breadth of employment or PhD positions our recent graduates have secured: Blair Easton (2018) is a researcher at St Abbs Research Station, Allan Cochrans (2016) has secured a PhD at Stirling University, David Hill (2015) is Strategic Business and Finance Manager, Scottish Government, Theofilos Sidiropoulos (2015) has secured a position at Gardine Geosciences Ltd, Tetrienne Box (2013) is now Underwater Noise Advisor at JNCC, Melodie Hermier (2010) is now clinical data manager with Aptiv Solutions, Kerri Gardiner (2010) initially worked for Jacobs engineering and is now a senior scientist with Intertek involved in developing EIAs (risk/toxicity) for drilling and pipelines for the oil industry as well as subsea cable projects, Cella Carr (2010) has secured an internship with the Zoological Society of London, working on their Biodiversity and Oil Palm Programme in Indonesia, Renier (Dutch) Zoutenbier (2011) is an Environmental Consultant with Royal Haskoning at their Exeter Offices, responsible for Industry, Energy and Mining, Charles-Eric Deplanck (2010) works as a fisheries observer for Oceanic Développement, based in Concarneau (Brittany).