Geographical Information Systems and Environmental Management MSc (PGDip)

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Course structure

This course can be studied full-or part-time and consists of taught and research components. To be awarded the MSc you must obtain 180 credits. Six taught modules at 20 credits each, plus your dissertation at 60 credits. A typical 20-credit module requires a total of 200 hours study time. 

You will learn through a combination of lectures, practicals, seminars, tutorials, fieldwork and projects. Core modules will generally include a practical element such as computer work relating to spatial analysis and environmental models or field work for data acquisition.

You will discuss option module choices as you start the course to help you identify your strengths and career aspirations.

Syllabus

You will discuss option module choices as you start the course to help you identify your strengths and career aspirations.

Modules

Core modules

• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

  This introductory course to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is for both newcomers to the field and existing practitioners. The module will give you a theoretical and practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications using GIS software. You will develop spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem-solving skills and apply these to the identification and examination of geographical and wider environmental issues.

• Applications in GIS

  Application in GIS is a follow-on course to help you develop skills around spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem solving. You will use the skills learnt in module GYM01 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems to identify and examine geographical and wider environmental issues. Case study topics include suitability modelling using raster-based Boolean approaches; data acquisition using GPS and Differential-GPS; and development of GIS-based decision support systems.

• Applied Remote Sensing

  On this module you will learn how to acquire, verify and apply remotely sensed digital image data. Using a hands-on approach, you'll use these skills to investigate geographical and wider environmental issues. The module includes contributions from external contributors from both industry and academia.

• Masters Research Skills and Dissertation

  This project provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your capacity to work at masters level as an independent researcher in your chosen area of expertise and develop your own research project. The 15,000-word dissertation will evidence your broad understanding of the problems involved, your critical thinking, theoretical understanding, methodology and analysis.

Options*

• Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management

  This module gives you a core understanding of contemporary environmental management issues. It will assess the global mega trends driving the need for environmental management, including climate change and biodiversity loss, and cover concepts and policy interventions to address these challenges. The module includes case studies that critically evaluate how environmental management is being addressed from policy through to project level, including waste management, food supply, coastal environmental management, sustainable business models and energy.

• Contested Natures and Social Justice

  This module explores how power influences environmental change and governance. You will develop advanced critical skills by examining intellectual debates around nature, society and social justice in global environmental agendas. There’s a focus on how research in environmental social science is shaped by helps shape and new policies, activism and real-world actions. Learning will include reading, group discussions and guided visits.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

  This module will examine the principles behind, and the practice of, environmental impact assessment (EIA). You will study the development of EIA and its integration into EU and UK law, and the relationship between EIA and sustainable development. You’ll also explore the importance of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the effects that it may have on UK and EU environmental management. The module will use case studies to provide local and national examples of environmental statements and discuss the importance of quality and review.

• Planning Theory and Practice

  In this module you’ll develop an understanding of alternative views in planning theory so you can generate responses to spatial planning challenges grounded in theory and explore how the core values of planning can be applied in changing circumstances. The module will cover areas including applied rationality; societal guidance; behavioural approaches and communicative practice; radical emancipatory practice; and the concept of individual and collective rights.

• Issues in Ecology and Conservation

  This module has a journal club format and provides an in-depth critical exploration of some of the key issues and current global challenges facing species, habitats and ecosystems. You will examine the ecological and environmental factors that impact biodiversity and critically evaluate the effectiveness of conservation strategies in mitigating these impacts. With emphasis placed on providing an interactive learning experience, each week will focus on a different topic.

• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

  This advanced module on spatial and digital computing will strengthen the data-handling and critical thinking skills you gained in the GIS and Remote Sensing Principles and Practice module. It will teach you the expertise needed to identify and critically examine geographical and wider environmental issues. The module delivers theoretical knowledge and practical skills to help you retain and reapply geospatial information to unfamiliar contexts, so you are able to develop novel solutions and evaluate outcomes.

• Hydrology and Pollutant Transport

  The Hydrology and Pollutant Transport module introduces you to the fundamentals of surface and groundwater hydrology, focusing on precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, discharge, groundwater recharge, groundwater storage and groundwater flow. You will look at pollutant transport dynamics with a focus on pollutants in surface and groundwaters generated by human activities. The module places these topics in the context of the UK water industry structure, international legal and policy frameworks, and integrated catchment management.

• Independent Study

  In the Independent Study module, you will perform an in-depth investigation of a subject of interest from a chosen area of study that fits within broad field of environmental management but is outside the range of material covered by the course. Typical examples may include assessment of the role of waste management in environmental assessment, developing an environmental monitoring system for sustainable buildings and spatial analysis of ‘austerity’ news reporting. It will be distinct from the topic chosen for your dissertation.

• Environmental Management in Organisations

  This module explores the evolution and philosophy behind environmental management in organisations and looks at environmental impacts and legislation. You will examine the reasons for incorporating environmental considerations into an organisation’s operations, including Net Zero, compliance with regulations, economic drivers, sustainability, resource efficiency and corporate social responsibility.

• Environmental Policy and Law

  This module is an in-depth exploration of environmental policy and law from international, European Union and the UK perspectives. Taught by environmental lawyers and practitioners, the module covers policy and law development, criminal and civil law and international conventions. You will consider aspects of policy and law across a range of areas including contaminated land, planning, waste and air quality.

• Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities

  In this module you will look at the importance of climate change in the development of local coastal planning policies for energy, housing, transport and employment. You will also work with a local community group or a neighbourhood planning forum on an urban case study in or around Brighton and Hove. You will research, survey and analyse an area to produce effective responses to address the challenges of sustainable growth.

• Plant and Invertebrate Taxonomy

  This practical module provides you with advanced knowledge of the diagnostic features of important UK invertebrate and plant families. You will become familiar with key taxonomic groups and competent in the use of identification keys across specialist taxonomic groups. The module aims to consolidate identification of plant species, focusing on common Eudicots families and Poaceae, and further your classification and identification skills for invertebrate taxa (molluscs and arthropods).

• Water Quality Assessment and Management

  This module introduces you to water quality assessment and management, teaching you skills related to field and laboratory experimental design, measurement of water quality, data analysis, interpretation of results and reporting to specialist/non-specialist audiences. It will provide you with experience in the management and presentation of large datasets and you will explore the roles of water safety planning, risk assessment, nature-based management and water treatment. You will also undertake analysis of water samples in the Centre for Aquatic Environments lab.

• Water Recycling Technology

  Our ability to identify, treat and distribute water safely is critical, however water scarcity is increasing due to expanding populations and more varied weather patterns, so the need for new water sources means wastewater is a precious resource. The module will explore traditional water and wastewater treatment as well as advanced water recycling processes to enable selection and design of the most sustainable economic and environmental processes. It will also provide carbon accounting skills.

• Environment Placement Module (supported by the Green Growth Platform)

  This professional work-based placement will help you develop critical evaluation skills, independent reflective learning practices and a deeper understanding of the relationship between academic theory and application of that knowledge. You will gain valuable experience in the environment and sustainability business sector and be supported in developing effective working practices and extending employability skills.

  Placements are thirty working days (six weeks) and will be with an organisation registered with the University of Brighton's award-winning Green Growth Platform.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

To further increase your employability and international experience we offer full-time students starting in September the opportunity to take a placement year. This means that your course will take two years, but you’ll be graduating with work experience.

The year on placement in a role related to your course will allow you to put all that you have learned on your masters into practice, enhancing your career opportunities and giving you practical experience in your area of expertise.

The placement is assessed formatively throughout the year, giving you the chance to reflect on your experience and helping to build your CV.

Work placements are optional, and you’ll arrange your placement with support from our dedicated Placements and Employability team.

We offer a two-year international study visa route to support applications for this course.

Meet the team

Dr Sarah Purnell, course leader

“I did my undergraduate degree and PhD at the University of Brighton. I loved the university and the city so much I chose to return first as a researcher and then as a lecturer in the School of Applied Sciences.

“My research addresses global water quality challenges and focuses on protecting human and environmental health. I work a lot with the water industry, regulators, public bodies and NGOs, translating the scientific research I undertake into positive societal impact and environmental improvement. I bring this up-to-date research and case studies into the modules I teach. Students benefit from opportunities to conduct their own research projects with this network of employers.

“I am always very proud of each student who qualifies with their MSc, every one is undertaking their own personal journey. We are here to support you from the first day of your course to when you graduate and are looking towards your future career.”

Course fees

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.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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