Core modules

• Sustainable Development in Practice
  This is a problem based learning module that will encourage you to use your own creativity and initiative. Over the course of the module you will be given 4 case study team briefs (based on expertise across Brunel University) and allowed the freedom to direct your team where you believe the best solution lies. The cases are designed so that there is no "right" answer: you have to research and plan a solution that is positive or acceptable to as many of the people the issue affects as possible. The solution must consider environmental, economic and societal impacts. This is a core module for all IfE MSc programs and runs through term 2. More
• Ecosystem Function
  This module aims to provide a broad overview of ecological principles and major developments in the field of ecology, including the possible impacts of climate change on biodiversity and critically appraise ecological theories relating to the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function (including species redundancy) More
• Research and Critical Skills in Environmental Science
  Develop professional, research and critical skills necessary to support higher learning and development of an integrative approach to problem solving, necessary for success in environmental science careers in public or private sectors or the academic environment.More
• Environmental Hazard and Risk
  This is a core module for all IfE MSc programmes, delivered in term 1 by Dr. Dan Pickford (IfE), and covers basic concepts in environmental risk assessment (hazard, exposure, risk, source-pathway-receptor). The module then explores various arenas in which risk assessment methods are used for environmental protection (eg environmental impact assessment, risk assessment for human and environmental health protection in chemical safety assessment). The module also addresses risk management issues, public perception of risk and how risk is incorporated into science-based policy making. More
• Dissertation
  For the Award of MSc, students will need to satisfactorily complete a research dissertation, supervised by staff in the Institute for the Environment, potentially in collaboration with partner schools or external organisations. The dissertation will be conducted in term 3 (May-September) for full-time students, and throughout a third ‘dissertation year’ for part time students. We aim to prepare students for the dissertation process throughout the year, through tutorial support and more formally through the research proposal exercise which provides the synoptic assessment in the Research and Critical Skills module. The dissertation is a critical part of the graduate training process in which knowledge and understanding gained through the taught element of the program is embedded in a meaningful piece of research. This activity can add value and distinction to the student’s individual learning experience and demonstrate relevance of the qualification to potential employers. More

Specialist modules

• Integrated Pollution
  Study fundamental scientific aspects of environmental pollution with emphasis on an integrated approach to environmental pollution and control and to study the environmental and technological issues in the management and control of water, air and land pollutionMore
• Environmental Monitoring
  Learn the key aspects of sampling techniques in acquiring representative samples of air, soil and water for environmental monitoring along with the key analytical techniques. Development of the practical skills in monitoring of environmental pollution. To study the practical methods for the investigation of air, soil and water quality. More