Water and Environmental Management MSc

About the course

Environmental water management is of increasing importance to all types of organisations in the UK and throughout the world. There is a growing need for qualified and trained environmental water managers.

The MSc Water and Environmental Management course focuses on sound water management and the requirements of sustainable development. You acquire expertise in the choice, design and implementation of a range of environmental management tools and methods including environmental impact assessment, integrated catchment management and environmentally sensitive river management.

Whether you are a graduate looking for a career in environmental water management or a professional who already has experience in this area the course advances your knowledge and skills so that you can develop your career in implementing environmentally sustainable solutions in business and organisations around the world. Studying on the MSc Water and Environmental Management course is the first step to becoming a Chartered Environmentalist.

Three modules are Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and when you successfully complete these modules you can apply for Associate Membership of IEMA . When you graduate you become eligible to apply for Graduate membership of Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) CIWEM.

The structure of the MSc Environmental Management degrees is based on six core modules and a choice of three taught modules from specialists ones. To obtain a Masters degree you need to carry out a supervised research project comprising of another taught module, research methods and a 10,000-15,000 word research project. The project can be based on an environmental management issue that interests you or is relevant to your organisation. If you do not want to carry out a research project you may graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma.

To find out more about this course and speak to current tutors and students come along to our Open Evening on Thursday 24th October

Why choose this course?

• Ideal course for graduates looking for a career as managers responsible for the  environmental management of  water resources, catchments and river basins
• Also suitable for professionals who already have experience in environmental water management
• This route prepares you for all aspects of environmental management in the water industry
• Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)

Study routes

• Full Time, 15 Months
• Part Time, 5 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Graduates have gained employment in a wide variety of sectors including Water companies, environment agencies, consultancy, NGOs, local government, and many other areas of the private and public sector employment.

Former students have made impressive environmental improvements and large savings for their companies while studying on the programme, and several have achieved significant promotion within their companies.

Teaching methods

The programme approach integrates blended learning, combining face-to-face teaching and tutorials with online learning materials, easy contact with tutors and online submission of assignments. All modules are delivered as intensive two or three day short courses that run primarily on Fridays and Saturdays.

Full-time students attend tutorials in the weeks following a short course, receiving face-to-face support.

Part-time students attend courses at the University for only about six working days a year. These students complete their assignments through making use of our outstanding virtual learning environment Studynet and keeping in remote contact with tutors.

Assessment is primarily by assignments, often directly related to environmental management in the workplace or field. These can include reports, essays, seminars and online tests.

You have access to excellent University facilities including a field station, laboratories and state of the art Learning Resource Centres.

Each module can be studied individually as a stand-alone course, please enquire for further details.

Professional Accreditations

Three modules are accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) for Associate membership (giving exemption from the Associate Entry Examination)

All  modules are accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) for graduate membership.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Environmental Management Tools and Methods

  This module examines the origins, application and use of a variety of tools that an organisation can employ to identify and manage the environmental impacts of its current and planned operations, or the products and services it provides. The tools studied may include environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, environmental review, life-cycle assessment, environmental risk assessment and environmental accounting methods. The module encourages students to put the methods they learn into practice and to critically evaluate the effectiveness of each tool in different situations. The module considers approaches need to ensure each tool can be applied rigorously and the factors which can affect reliability, such as data quality. The synergies between the tools are identified, so that the best combination of tools can be employed for any given situation.

• Environmental Policy and Governance

  The module focuses on how developing the students' knowledge and understanding of environmental policy and governance. In particular, the following topic areas may be considered: policy instruments available to protect the environment; environmental governance at a range of spatial levels; environmental policy making in government; how environmental law operates; and the role Environmental Management Systems can play in helping organisations achieve compliance with environmental protection measures.

• Foundation in Environmental Auditing

  This module provides the basic knowledge/awareness necessary to participate effectively in environmental audits and other related activities. It examines a range of audit types and their application to environmental protection and performance improvement. These include audits related to compliance, due diligence, risk issues (such as waste) and management systems. Audit principles and processes applicable to the audit types are covered. It introduces standards and guidelines, such as the ISO 14000 series, produced to ensure consistency and quality in the application of environmental management and auditing. The module will cover auditing skills and techniques, environmental legislation, identification and evaluation of environmental effects, performance monitoring, control and reporting. Practical sessions provide the opportunity to apply the skills necessary to assess environmental performance against policy, legislation and management commitments. It discusses preparation to be made before being audited.

• Management Skills for Environmental Management

  This module explores the management skills required to successfully implement environmental programmes. Successful management requires an understanding of the way organisations function and are managed, and an appreciation of developments in management theory and practice. The module will examine the role of the manager, leadership, motivation, organisational behaviour, financial management and strategy.

• Water Pollution Control

  This module will cover the nature of wastewater disposal and treatment systems and the estimation of pollution load. It will discuss the types of trade effluent and their treatment and discharge control to sewers and receiving waters, including the roles of water service undertakers and environmental regulators; charging for wastewater discharges; the nature of raw sewage and the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants to meet environmental standards and avoid nuisance. The nature of sewage sludges and the design and operation of treatment and disposal systems to meet environmental standards, methods of sludge utilisation, the associated environmental controls and the operational management of facilities, approaches to wastewater monitoring and management, water recycling and the precautionary principle will be covered. Biomonitoring and chemical monitoring may be conducted at two local but very different rivers (e.g. Lee and Mimram) and an STW may be visited. The causes and management of ground and surface water pollution will be studied. National and international aspects of water pollution control will be discussed.

• Water Resources

  This module will cover the nature and characteristics of groundwater and surface water resources and the factors affecting their uses. The critical factors in the strategic planning of water resources at international, national, regional and local levels to meet user demand, environmental protection and sustainable management needs. Water resources planning and management within the context of overall catchment planning; its relationship with water pollution control, river engineering, recreation and amenity. European and national water resources policy, the modern legal framework governing water resources management, the responsible organisations and interaction with interested parties. The management of water abstraction, the licensing process, consultation procedures, enforcement and the special procedures under drought and other emergencies. The threats to the quality of water resources, the quantification of risk and the measures taken to protect them.

Optional

• Ecology and Conservation

  The module will provide an understanding of fundamental ecological principles and theory and how these follow through into actual conservation practice in the field. The current policy and legislation background, for both the UK and Europe, for the protection of habitat and species will be examined including issues relating to biodiversity targets. Current techniques used for assessing and managing biodiversity will be studied. A range of methods and techniques used for collecting field data will be discussed. This is supported by field activities.

• Integrated Waste and Pollution Management

  This module provides a holistic approach to waste and pollution reduction in a broad sense including energy efficiency, clean technology and water conservation as well as waste minimisation and design for the environment. The module examines the environmental and financial benefits of waste and pollution management methodologies and covers the economic and legislative drivers designed to reduce waste and prevent pollution. These include fiscal measures such as permit trading, recycling credits and landfill tax as well as statutory compliance, the waste hierarchy, costs and benefits.

• Research Methods

  The module will introduce the main principles of research methodology, different approaches to solving a problem and the choice of appropriate research methodology. Natural science and social science research approaches will be explored including the development of the research question. Methods for sampling and data gathering will be described including experimentation, questionnaires, interviews, case studies, action research, content analysis and observation. Quantitative and qualitative data, its analysis, interpretation, presentation and reporting will be explored. A research proposal will be formulated with guidance from a project supervisor, which is relevant to the chosen pathway of environmental management, or environmental management for business, or environmental management for agriculture, or water and environmental management.

• Sustainability and Environmental Systems

  This module gives a basis for an understanding of a range of global, regional and local environmental issues. The module also explains the impacts of organisations and business processes, products and services on the environment and society. The philosophy and concepts underpinning sustainability, sustainable development and the role of environmental management are examined. The role of external drivers is explored and the module demonstrates how proper understanding of these drivers can lead to improved business management. Methods and tools for improving environmental performance are introduced including environmental management systems. The notion of the environment as a business opportunity is explored.

• Sustainable Energy

  The module provides an overview of key issues relating to sustainable energy and climate change in the context of spatial planning in the UK. To understand the problems, students first need to understand the main energy sources and broad patterns of energy consumption. Climate change is an increasingly significant consideration for plan making. Planners and energy managers need develop positive adaptation and mitigation strategies. The module draws on examples of good practice from the UK and internationally. To make decisions about responses to climate change practitioners need data, particularly the information available through the UK Climate Impacts Programme. Energy use is an issue that cuts across spatial scales. While it is most commonly considered at the scale of the individual building it is also important at the neighbourhood and wider scale. Energy use and behaviour change issues provide an important balance to technical solutions proposed for individual buildings.

• Water and Environmental Management Individual Research Project

  Students must carry out an independent research project and submit a dissertation and other assignments. The project is expected to address an environmental management topic in the field of water. This may be based on an organisation, site or environmental management issue and may include the assessment of current environmental performance/options for environmental improvement, or the development of new methods for environmental management.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £8,030 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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How to apply