Course summary
MSc Global Environmental Change and Policy equips those of you with a bachelor-level graduate degree in earth and environmental science, or related degree, with the multidisciplinary skills necessary to be able to understand and tackle complex global issues associated with climate change, societal challenges, and policy development. You’ll gain the highly integrated level of fundamental, applied, and communication-based knowledge needed to identify, characterise, and effectively find solutions to a range of challenges related to climate change. You’ll understand the principles of environmental and earth system science, including a detailed knowledge of the earth system, and be able to make informed decisions on the future. You’ll also consider strategic environmental assessment, policy, legal, ethical and health and safety issues of concern in the marine environment. This career-focused master’s programme will develop your technical, scientific, and managerial abilities, relevant for a marine science career in academia, industry, government and non-governmental organisations. Our Expertise Your learning will be informed by experts in earth and marine sciences from our Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (ILES), part of Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society. The School is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. You’ll also benefit from teaching and research at the Lyell Centre, a leading centre in earth, marine and ecosystem sciences, and a collaboration between the British Geological Survey and Heriot-Watt University. The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused. Industry You will learn at our Edinburgh campus and benefit from teaching and research at the Lyell Centre, a leading centre in earth, marine and ecosystem sciences, and a collaboration between the British Geological Survey and Heriot-Watt University. We work closely with industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation. The Earth Sciences project is often undertaken in collaboration, through co-supervision, with one of several world-leading research-based organisations within Edinburgh including:
- British Geological Survey
- Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
- Scottish Parliament Information Centre
- Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth
- Natural Museum of Scotland
- Scottish Natural Heritage
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Modules
You’ll take seven mandatory courses that will provide you with specialist knowledge of earth system science, technologies to mediate global water challenges, reconstructing environmental change and tracing ecosystem function, and you’ll also learn about ecosystems under pressure. Technical skills will be developed through a course which will increase your applied laboratory, field work and data analysis work. Transferable skills will be developed throughout the programme, including in the mandatory business of the environment, and science communication and engagement courses. You can customise your learning to match your specific interests or desired career pathway by choosing one optional course from a range of environmental and marine courses, including marine biotechnology, marine environmental monitoring, and practical skills in marine surveying. Geographical information software for marine and environmental scientists is also an option along with the opportunity to go to Malaysia on a two-week field trip through the Tropical and Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management course. In semester three, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation into your chosen area of earth sciences through your project. You’ll be required to examine a particular scientific issue in depth and conduct an independent laboratory, literature, practical or data-based research project. This will offer you the chance to strengthen your research, analytical, and communication skills through your practical application in a professional environment.
Assessment method
You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your research project, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for individual programmes vary. Please check the details for specific programmes on the University website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
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Provider information
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS