MSc Environmental Science
Academic Year 2020/2021
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The study of Applied Environmental Science is critical for establishing policies in environmental assessment, evaluating potential change in environmental quality in response to various land use and other activities, and in the development of management and conservation strategies, as well as contributing to policy formulation. This programme provides graduates with a thorough knowledge of Environmental Science and there is a heavy emphasis on practical training in fieldwork, laboratory analyses, information sourcing, data analysis, planning, reporting and communication.
Download the course brochure (pdf)
- In collaboration with UCD School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering relating particularly to water quality, hydrology and waste treatment processes.
- This multi-disciplinary Master’s course provides fundamental training in key areas of Environmental Science encompassing marine, freshwater and terrestrial systems.
Careers & Employability
Our graduates are building successful varied careers in environmental resources assessment, management and protection.
A considerable number have been employed in consultancy positions and some are also with the Inland Fisheries Ireland, Department of the Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some graduates have also continued their studies at PhD level in the areas of fisheries, biomass fuels, soil, water engineering and invertebrate ecology.
Curricular information is subject to change
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No
The UCD MSc Applied Science (Environmental Science) is designed for recent graduates in Science, Engineering or Architecture or graduates employed by Local Authorities, State or Semi-state agencies, Industry and Environmental consultants.
The MSc in Applied Environmental Science is aimed at students who wish to further develop a career or enhance their current knowledge on environmental science issues and develop practical field and laboratory skills relevant to implementing environmental policies. We value students that are dedicated, motivated, and develop a specialist knowledge and apply a critical approach to address ever increasing environmental issues. We aim to provide a learning environment that directs students to current information and that develops key skills necessary to source, critically analyse, evaluate, synthesise and report relevant environmental information. This course is based on core and elective modules delivered as lectures, on-line resources, tutorials, practicals, field exercises and require both individual and group work. With the aim of developing a range of work related skills assessments include the preparation of reports, critical essays, computer based assignments, field surveys, presentations and group projects. A work placement in an agency servicing the environmental sector is undertaken during the third semester obtaining industry relevant skills. The course draws on a number of leading academic staff that actively participates in environmental research spanning a range of disciplines informing the material presented.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the theoretical background that underpins environmental issues.
- Demonstrate awareness and working understanding of the legislation related to the environmental sector.
- Have the ability to source, evaluate and synthesise current scientific information related to environmental issues and produce industry ready reports with justifiable recommendations made and conclusions drawn.
- Have a good working knowledge of field surveying methods to obtain relevant environmental information and demonstrate a practical ability to conduct common faunal and flora surveying techniques.
- Have the ability to work with environmental data, understand the methods used to collect different types of data, conduct descriptive and analytical statistics.
- Through work experience develop an understanding of how the knowledge gained can be applied to the work environment and develop skills necessary to work effectively in the work place.
- Demonstrate effective and clear oral and written communication skills and show an ability to use appropriate software typically applied to communicate within the environmental sector.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the theoretical background that underpins environmental issues.
- Demonstrate awareness and working understanding of the legislation related to the environmental sector.
- Demonstrate effective and clear oral and written communication skills and show an ability to use appropriate software typically applied to communicate within the environmental sector.
- Have a good working knowledge of field surveying methods to obtain relevant environmental information and demonstrate a practical ability to conduct common faunal and flora surveying techniques.
- Have the ability to source, evaluate and synthesise current scientific information related to environmental issues and produce industry ready reports with justifiable recommendations made and conclusions drawn.
- Have the ability to work with environmental data, understand the methods used to collect different types of data, conduct descriptive and analytical statistics.
- Through work experience develop an understanding of how the knowledge gained can be applied to the work environment and develop skills necessary to work effectively in the work place.
MSc Environmental Science (X062) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 8010
nonEU fee per year - € 19900
MSc Environmental Science (X204) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4035
nonEU fee per year - € 9900
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
This programme is intended for applicants with a primary degree in Science, Engineering, Geography, Architecture or a related subject. An upper second class honours, or international equivalent is required.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
- Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/
- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
Graduate Profile
Dr Rachel Wisdom,
Entomologist, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland.
I studied environmental science and agriculture as an undergraduate. The masters degree in Applied Environmental Science at UCD was perfect as it covered a wide range of relevant topics in excellent detail. This enhanced my environmental science skills and led to my
selection for a PhD in environmental science research at UCD.
The following entry routes are available:
MSc Environmental Science FT (X062)
MSc Environmental Science PT (X204)
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised
