Intro

Emission of anthropogenic pollutants into the air since industrialisation has resulted in a change in the composition of the Earth's atmosphere. Air pollution has now become a major concern for human and environmental health, and for the Earth's overall climate. Our Atmospheric Science MRes will help you understand our atmosphere and its many complex processes that are responsible for sustaining life as we know it.

You will learn about the chemistry and dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere; how to observe, measure and model our air; what air quality actually means, and how we legislate for air pollutants. You’ll discover how to reduce air pollution effects and protect public and environmental health.

Joining a team of Brighton researchers who focus on developing practical solutions and strategies to help reduce negative impacts on air quality and climate, you will develop your research skills in this field. You'll have the opportunity to work at our JOAQUIN Advanced Air Quality Research (JAAQS) Observatory, one of the most advanced permanent tropospheric observatories in the UK.

You’ll work on a dedicated research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff who specialises in your area of research. And you’ll be linked to our research Centre for Earth Observation Science, or to research groups in Environment and Public Health or Applied Geosciences.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

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Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Please note the online application service will be unavailable on Wednesday 8 December 2021 due to system maintenance. We are apologise for any inconvenience.

Course content

Course structure

The Atmospheric Science MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning.

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits: 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

In full-time mode the MRes programmes are one-year courses starting in September each year. In the first term you will attend a series of seminars and workshops on developing your research proposal, academic writing and relevant research methodologies, culminating in submission of a full research proposal. You will also study on specialist taught courses.

Throughout the rest of your year you will work on your specialist research project, whilst working with your peers in evaluating research papers and attending seminars.

In part-time mode the research project and evaluating research module will spread over the two-year study period, but you should complete you research training and project proposal within the first year.

Dr Kevin Wyche and atmosphere observatory

Syllabus

The core MRes research project module is at the heart of the degree and equips you with a fundamental understanding of the research process across a wide and dynamic range of disciplines.

Core modules

Research Project
Evaluating Research in Environmental and Geoscience

Options

Policy and Implementation in Town Planning
Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities
Sustainable Construction
Issues in Ecology and Conservation
Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills
Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
Introduction to GIS
Applications in GIS
Applied Remote Sensing
Environmental Politics and Social Justice
Independent Study
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Management in Organisations
Environmental Policy and Law
Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management
Controversies in Science
Hydrology and Pollutant Transport
Water Quality Analysis
Wastewater Treatment Technology
Water, Sanitation and Health
Atmospheric Environment
Waste Management and the Circular Economy
Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing.

Staff profile

Dr Kevin Wyche, Principal Lecturer in Atmospheric Science

My research interests focus on the study of the Earth’s atmosphere, with emphasis on tropospheric chemistry and air pollution. Principally, my research falls into the areas of (i) Fundamental chemical processes controlling tropospheric composition and change, (ii) Air quality science and (iii) Analytical instrument development and application in Earth Observation.

I'm available to supervise PhD and MRes students in multiple interdisciplinary areas, principally Atmospheric Science, including tropospheric composition and change, air quality, air quality and human health, and secondary organic aerosol. I also work at the air quality-policy interface, so I'm available to supervise students interested in air pollution and environmental policy and public health issues. I also employ remote sensing in my work, so I'm available to supervise projects using ground, air and space-based remote sensing instrumentation for Earth Observation and Planetary Science.

Dr Matthew Brolly, Principal Lecturer in Remote Sensing and GIS

I joined the University in 2013 after completing a NASA funded research role in the USA and have been enjoying helping students learn from my knowledge and experiences ever since.

My teaching and research focuses on:

ecosystem remote sensing
image processing and analysis
quantitative methods.

The majority of my work is conducted in my office using computers to help handle the masses of data associated with acquired imagery but I also have the pleasure of working in the field from time to time to look at vegetation and the characteristics that flora on our planet possess. This helps me to validate the information I gain from the remote sensing systems.

I’m interested in supervising postgraduate projects in all areas relating to remote sensing (RS) and geographical information systems (GIS) but particularly those which study ecosystems and ecosystem change and technological developments in relation to this.

Dr Georgios Maniatis, Senior Lecturer

I am a fluvial geomorphologist interested in the measurement, mapping and prediction of sediment transport in rivers. I teach fundamental geographical techniques and several topics of surface geomorphology.

My research focuses on three main areas:

sediment transport sensing using emerging technologies (smart pebbles)
advanced topographic sensing and detection of geomorphic change in rivers
hydromorphological classification for enhanced river management.

My work relies on the application of advanced GIS and statistical modelling techniques and it has both a field and a laboratory experimental component. I also work closely with environmental protection agencies such as The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

I am interested in supervising postgraduate research students in fluvial geomorphology; hydraulics; statistical and numerical modelling for sediment transport; river management and engineering; development of sensors for monitoring grain motion.

Facilities

Our specialist facilities include:

JOAQUIN Advanced Air Quality Research (JAAQS) Observatory, one of the most advanced permanent tropospheric observatories in the UK.
geology, soil and water analysis labs
public health and geochemical analysis labs
air and water quality monitoring sites
environmental hydraulics labs
microscopy suite
computer suite with GIS and remote-sensing software
bench scale experimental treatment rigs
gamma spectroscopy
carbon analysis
experimental river basin
flumes
terrestrial laser scanners
field survey equipment and drones.

Tap for a virtual tour of some of our facilities.

How this course is delivered

Our approach
We want you to spend as much time on campus as possible. From semester 1 of the academic year which starts in September, every student will have some face-to-face, on-campus learning in their timetable. Your timetable is being designed to make sure that you can make the most out of your time on campus, and all of the usual campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more – will be open. Your timetable will be available in My Studies from late September.

Teaching on your course
In semester 1 timetabled teaching will take place on campus. Your on-campus learning will be supplemented with additional online activities and content.

Any other learning opportunities taking place off campus, such as field work, will be informed by the government guidance in operation at that time. We are not currently planning to run this kind of activity outside the UK in semester 1 of the 2021–2022 academic year. 

COVID-19
Like all universities we will be following government guidance and will be monitoring the pandemic very closely with our local Director of Public Health. Should a worsening of the pandemic occur and Public Health advice require us to make changes, we have robust plans in place for students to continue their studies remotely and for additional safety measures to be introduced on campus.

Careers

The course intends to maximise both your personal and professional potential, and in particular provides a foundation for careers in research, industry, the public sector and academia.

On course completion, you will be equipped with practical research-based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare you for career progression.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2022. They should be used as a general guide.

Degree and experience
A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject. Students with a degree that does not fall within this category but who have significant relevant experience, will also be considered. All applicants should provide a full description of any research projects undertaken, relevant work experience and non-academic qualifications.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through our Extended Masters programme.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK/EU (full-time) 7,866 GBP

International (full-time)15,462 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Environment and Technology are listed here.

Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
Where taught residential field trips are optional, a contribution will be required towards travel and accommodation. This will vary depending on where and how long the field trip is but you should budget approximately £1,500.
The independent mapping project is a mandatory part of the Geology BSc(Hons) involving independent fieldwork that is undertaken in the summer between years 2 and 3. The cost of this fieldwork is not included in the fee, and you will need to meet this additional cost yourself.
Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £100.
If you choose to take an optional paid placement you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available. from the University of Brighton
In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Over the last four years Moulsecoomb has undergone a major transformation, planned with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability in mind.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

On campus you’ll find professional-standard facilities and learning resources for all of our subjects and a brand new academic building Elm House, alongside the library, student centre, fitness facilities and the Students’ Union.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Moulsecoomb Place, Mithras halls and Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
- Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
- Moulsecoomb Place halls are all self-catered and are located right on campus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Halls

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Park

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Students eating at the Hub

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.