Sustainability, Environment and Change MSc

Sustainability Environment and Change is one of new suite of a postgraduate courses aimed at the next generation of sustainability professionals. Students from different pathways work together around key issues of economy, society and environment. You all explore the roles of regulatory practice and governance, and technological and behavioural change in moving us towards a low carbon, less resource-profligate society. Understanding the climate change agenda and how to respond is central to all pathways.

Career prospects are good – sustainability professionals are in demand, and well-qualified people with these new multidisciplinary skills and knowledge are in short supply.

What will you study?

This course addresses the broad concerns for sustainable futures. You will:

• review climate change throughout Earth's history to gain perspectives on human impacts and current climate change; and
• explore potential impacts on society, practical and policy responses, and regulatory mechanisms.

Practical learning is central to the course philosophy – from understanding scientific principles and procedures to learning about economic, social accountability and legal frameworks. For masters students, the research project provides an opportunity to explore in depth a particular area of interest within environmental change and sustainability.

Many of the staff in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.

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Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Core modules

• The Challenge of Climate Change

• The Challenge of Climate Change

  This module reviews current ideas on climate change and its implications for society. The complexities of this debate and their relevance to a sustainable future for human societies, and to ecosystems and planetary well being, more generally, are explored. Keynote lectures will introduce the science of climate change; uncertainties and challenges in global climate change modelling; implications of climate change predictions; appropriate societal responses; and 'best' strategies for mitigating potential climate change and its impacts. The challenges of policy-making against a background of uncertain science are explored through case studies and role-play scenarios and by site visits.

  
   
• Environmental Law and Regulation

• Environmental Law and Regulation

  This module is an introduction to environmental law and regulation for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. It covers:

  • the basic law on the protection of the environment;
  • a more in-depth consideration of the legal and institutional framework within which environmental regulation is achieved; and 
  • the ways in which particular issues of environmental importance are addressed.
  
   
• Economic Sustainability

• Economic Sustainability

  In this module, you will:

  • learn about conventional economic theory and how to apply it to property and construction;
  • analyse the contributions of key contemporary and historic economic theorists in relation to the quest for a sustainable economy; and
  • explore the limits of capitalism, funding concepts in both public and private sector property provision, and environmental economics as they relate to the business of real estate.

  We teach this module through a series of key note lectures reinforced by seminars and group work. Assessment consists of:

  • written and oral seminar presentations; and
  • a marked individual synoptic paper in which you illustrate the application of policy, propose alternatives and critically evaluate actual solutions.
  
   
• Sustainable Environmental Management

• Sustainable Environmental Management

  Mainstream businesses now recognise the need to run their operations in a sustainable manner and improvement of environmental performance is fundamental to achieving this.

  This module examines the leading strategies being adopted for better management of the environmental impacts of organisation's activities, products and services. Pressing issues like global climate change and loss of biodiversity are driving rapid evolution in this sustainable business agenda.

  
   
• Water Resources Management

• Water Resources Management

  The module examines a range of global water resource management challenges. The module will develop an understanding and evaluation of these challenges from several perspectives: global concerns for water scarcity and distribution, examination of the underlying physical and social conditions, regional water management issues, and examining contemporary and practical challenges facing water resource managers in seeking sustainable water management solutions.

  
   
• Research Methods and Data Analysis

• Research Methods and Data Analysis

  This module prepares students for carrying out independent research work, including an explanation of the importance of unbiased data sampling and how it may be achieved.

  It aims to improve the quality of your scientific thought and procedure by explaining a range of statistical and other data analytical techniques applicable to environmental and spatial data. In addition to the use of GIS elsewhere in the course, this module provides extensive experience of the use of computers for data analysis and other applications.

  
   
• Research Project

• Research Project

  The main aims of the research project are to give you the chance to:

  • undertake a project in your area of interest;
  • investigate, develop and critically appraise primary and secondary information sources as a basis for independent study at a postgraduate level; and
  • apply specialised knowledge and skills to the analysis and solution of novel problem in the real world.
  
   

Option modules (choose two)

• Biodiversity and Conservation

• Biodiversity and Conservation

  This module reviews the concept of biodiversity and examines current conservation policy, strategies and issues as they apply at a range of scales. An examination of their applications within local, regional and national and global frameworks provides an important policy perspective.

  
   
• Minerals and Energy Resources

• Minerals and Energy Resources

  The module focuses on the Earth's major non-renewable mineral and energy resources, and develops an understanding of the socio-economic and environmental consequences of extraction and the approaches used to limit environmental damage.

  
   
• Sustainable Cities

• Sustainable Cities

  This module is a critical appreciation of urban society and its future – as it becomes the norm for the majority of the world's population, it is an essential requirement for the built environment professional.

  The module provides an opportunity to debate the theoretical concepts of sustainable cities, allowing critical analysis of the drivers, legislation and processes governing sustainable urban environments. The ability to consider issues from a variety of perspectives and evaluate strategies for spatial planning is engendered.

  The module intends to encourage a commitment to social, economic and environmental issues, which influence the creation, delivery and maintenance of sustainable cities.

  
   
• Regeneration

• Regeneration

  Integrating sustainable strategies in regeneration practice is an important aim, as places – far from being exclusively clusters of buildings – are complex socio-economic systems that need more integrated answers to solve the problems they are affected by. This module on Regeneration provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of social, economic and environmental issues, problems and their causes in urban, suburban and rural spatial contexts. Also there is the opportunity to critique different types of strategies and drivers, funding options and plans and the role of key players in providing solutions to the revitalization and regeneration of communities.

  
   
• Waste Management and Contaminated Land Remediation

• Waste Management and Contaminated Land Remediation

  This module provides an understanding of the types, sources and effects of contaminants in the environment, and their effects on ecosystems and human health. It covers an awareness of the feasibility and limitations of the main techniques and strategies for the remediation of contaminated land. There is a specific focus on the policies and practice of waste management in developed countries.

  
   
• Contemporary Issues in Environmental and Earth Resources Management

• Contemporary Issues in Environmental and Earth Resources Management

  This module is a self-focused, desk-based study designed to enable students to concentrate further on an area critical to their individual career development requirements. The module is offered as a limited option to those students who can demonstrate proven ability in a topic area covered by one of the existing taught modules.

  
   

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing holds a number of open day events throughout the year. These are a great opportunity to find out more about this course, the Faculty itself, and the facilities we offer.

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Dr Ros Taylor, founding director of Kingston University's award-winning Sustainability Hub, is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Home Planet.

On 23 March 2010 she discussed climate change and why some people believe in it and others don't. On 20 April 2010 the programme explored plastic waste, capturing carbon dioxide and the frozen poles. On 23 November 2010, hovering blackbirds, fertile volcanoes and Christmas trees were discussed.

Listen to Ros now:

• 23 March 2010 programme
• 20 April 2010 programme
• 23 November 2010 programme

Our links with industry provide a practical base for our courses. They also help us to ensure your studies are kept up to date and relevant to the working environment.

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Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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