Sustainable Development MSc/Postgraduate Diploma

www.sbes.stir.ac.uk

Applications suspended for 2010 entry

The Institute of Aquaculture and the School of Biological & Environmental Sciences have a long-standing international reputation in key background fields and a strong record in developing innovative, high quality, multidisciplinary studies.

This programme was designed in 2003 to meet the needs of those for whom Sustainable Development is a real and practical issue, and who wish to provide genuine leadership in their chosen field.

Programme Objectives

This programme aims to give participants from a range of backgrounds a particularly valuable set of skills and a qualification for the future. It will provide you with a unique mix of theory, practical skills and applications, close links with community, commercial and governmental sectors, both nationally and internationally, as well as opportunities for placements and practical work in the UK, Europe and in key areas of international development worldwide.

On completion of this degree, you will have:

• An understanding of the scientific principles (atmospheric, hydrological and ecological) that underpin sustainable development.
• An understanding of the economic, social, political and legal frameworks for sustainable development.
• A sound training in relevant practical, investigative, research, communicative and management skills essential for sustainable development professionals.

Entrance Requirements

Normally a minimum of a second class Honours degree (or its equivalent) in a relevant subject, but consideration is given to other candidates with substantial relevant professional experience.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 6 in each skill) or TOEFL 550/213/79. Residential pre-registration English Language courses are available within the University.

Funding

Support for the Diploma element of the programme is available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). To be eligible applicants must be ordinarily resident in Scotland, although other EU residents may be considered for a fees-only award. Visit,www.saas.org.uk

For further information on possible sources of funding, visit: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance

Modes of Study

Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 27 months

Programme Start Date

September

Programme Directors

Dr Ian Moffatt (School of Biological & Environmental Sciences)
Professor James Muir (Institute of Aquaculture)

The Institute of Aquaculture

The School of Biological & Environmental Sciences

Structure and Content

The Autumn semester comprises four modules (two core and two others). The two core modules are:

• Principles and Challenges of Sustainable Development: Scientific, technical, societal and ethical aspects are examined.
• Information Technology: This module focuses on statistical techniques and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Plus two modules selected from:

• Environmental Policy and Management: The role of Environmental Management in society and the role of governments (UK and other).
• Environmental Systems and Assessment: This module focuses on terrestrial and freshwater environments and approaches to their assessment.
• Environmental Economics: A bridge between scientific knowledge and policy decisions.

The Spring semester comprises four advanced modules, at least two of which are chosen from:

• International Development: Sustainability and Livelihoods: Who is doing what and how is benefit created?
• Communities and Processes: How do we understand people and communities? How do we describe and promote change?
• Advanced Sustainable Development: Examines concepts, methods, measurement and modelling practices in sustainable development.

Plus one or two modules chosen from a selection, typically:

• River Conservation and Management: Physical habitat restoration, river flow regulation and environmental impacts of river engineering.
• Pollution Control: Monitoring, data collection, laboratory analysis of air, water and soil.
• Biodiversity: What can be done to conserve the world’s biodiversity?
• Business Strategy and the Environment: The implementation of environmentally sound practice in business, Environmental Management Systems and Environmental Law.
• Catchment Management and Water Quality: Impacts of human activities in river basins on water quality and strategies to minimise these.
• ‘Gooding’ the Earth: Soil function and quality, soil problems and potential strategies for their mitigation and management.

At the end of the second semester, students who pass the overall assessment qualify for the Diploma and may proceed to the MSc to undertake a three-month dissertation, often in collaboration with a UK or international agent. Choice of a topic complementary to your option selections allows you to develop a high level of competence in specialised areas within Sustainable Development, whether at local or international level, in business, the public sector, or voluntary activities.

Delivery and Assessment

The programme is taught by 12 staff from three Departments in the University and professionals from outside the University. Assessment is via both continual assessment and examination. Exams are held in December and May and external examiners may interview students at the end of the Spring semester. MSc dissertations are undertaken during the Summer and submitted in early September for full-time students and December for part-time students.

Timetable

Contact the Departments for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

The demand for skilled professionals in Sustainable Development is growing steadily, both for newly qualified students and for those who link their qualification with existing employment or professional skills. Postgraduate students have an excellent record of finding employment or research positions after completing the programme.

Research Opportunities

There are five research groups with many active links between them:

• Health: Research within the Fish Health Group encompasses many aspects of the identification, prevention and control of aquatic diseases. Fish welfare in relation to aquaculture is now a major area of research, with emphasis on the role of water quality and the development of welfare indicators.
• Genetics and Reproduction: Research in the Group contributes to improving aquaculture productivity worldwide. Molecular genetics are used to investigate the metabolism of fish.
• Environment: Environmental research focuses on the environmental effects of aquaculture on ecosystem sustainability. Ecotoxicology research concerns the development of ecologically relevant techniques for chemical hazard and risk assessment in aquatic ecosystems and molecular biomarkers to measure pollutant effects.
• Nutrition and Aquaculture: Nutritional biochemistry research centres on the metabolism and role of lipids in the nutrition and development of fish and their quality as food for humans. The use of environmentally sustainable substitutes for fishmeal in aquaculture diets and the use of indigenous low cost materials for tropical species are important research topics.
• Systems and Development:The group has a holistic, multidisciplinary focus for optimised aquatic resource management. With a strong international perspective, livelihoods, business management, marketing, GIS and engineering are just part of our toolkit to address production and development problems, new species, environments or methodologies, social and economic systems, value and choice, markets and resources and formulation of strategic perspectives to provide a range of policy and planning analysis.

For information on the Institute’s research activity, visit: www.aquaculture.stir.ac.uk/research

Research Proposal

Applicants applying for an advertised project are not required to provide a research proposal. Applicants who have secured their own funding should provide an indication of their subject areas of interest to support their application.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

Applications suspended for 2010 entry

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.