The MSc in Applied Environmental Geology is a full-time multidisciplinary degree running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. A part time version of the degree running over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme is also available.

Note: The title of this programme has changed from MSc (Applied Environmental Geology) to MSc (Applied Environmental Geoscience) for students entering the programme from 2020/21 onwards.

This programme will consist of Part I and Part II. Part I will consist of taught modules to the value of 60 credits involving lectures, practicals, seminars and fieldwork. Part II consists of a research dissertation based on independent research to the value of 30 credits (GL6019), completed over the summer months. Students will complete a research project during a five month placement in industry or a research group within the School of BEES. In some cases the number of available industry placements may be limited and students who are unsuccessful in obtaining an industry placement will complete their research project in the School of BEES. Each of the prescribed taught modules will be examined by a written paper and/or continuous assessment. Each candidate progressing to Part II of the programme must submit the Research Dissertation (GL6019) in an area of Environmental Geology by a date in August of the registration year as prescribed by the School of BEES.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I:
EV6011 Principles of Environmental Assessment and Monitoring (10 credits)
GL6020 Hydrogeology, Contaminated Land and Assessment (10 credits)
GL6021 Engineering Geology (10 credits)
GL6022 Environmental Planning and Regulation (5 credits)
GL6023 Offshore Environmental Geology (5 credits)
GL6024 Applied Geophysics (5 credits)
GL6025 Geoinfomatics for Environmental Geology (5 credits)
GL6028 Applied Hydrogeology Skills (5 credits)
GL6029 Applied Geotechnical Skills (5 credits)

Part II:
GL6019 Applied Environmental Geology Research Project (30 credits)

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Environmental Geology
Students who achieve 40% in each individual taught module in Part I but fail to achieve the requisite grade of 50% across the taught modules, or students who pass Part I and do not wish to complete the Research Dissertation GL6019 (Part II) may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Environmental Geology.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in Applied Environmental Geology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Use geoinfomatics to process Environmental Geology data;
• Successfully apply geophysical tools to site investigations;
• Apply the principles of soil and rock mechanics to Environmental Geology and engineering scenarios;
• Describe the principles of groundwater flow and discharge;
• Carry out an analysis on the sustainability of groundwater for a given regional aquifer;
• Critique and evaluate the status of environmental and planning law in the context of geoscience;
• Undertake field analysis of soils, sediments and rocks to industry standard;
• Describe the methods used in sampling and mapping the seabed;
• Scope, design and execute an Environmental Geology study;
• Present findings from a project based on an industry focused research question in a written report and an oral presentation.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Environmental Geology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Use geoinfomatics to process Environmental Geology data;
• Successfully apply geophysical tools to site investigations;
• Apply the principles of soil and rock mechanics to Environmental Geology and engineering scenarios;
• Describe the principles of groundwater flow and discharge;
• Carry out an analysis on the sustainability of groundwater for a given regional aquifer;
• Critique and evaluate the status of environmental and planning law in the context of geoscience;
• Undertake field analysis of soils, sediments and rocks to industry standard;
• Describe the methods used in sampling and mapping the seabed;
• Apply a suite of acquired transferable skills (e.g. in communication, data analysis) in a professional working environment.