MSc (Marine and Freshwater Resources: Management)
The MSc in Marine and Freshwater Resources: Management will enable graduates to develop a core understanding and advanced level of knowledge and skills in key areas relevant to the marine and freshwater environment. This will give them the skills required to start addressing some of the critical challenges’ society will face during the 21st century from human impact on the aquatic environment. Graduates will learn advanced problem solving, management, analytical and communication skills. It will develop their capacity and capability for scientific leadership and solution-based approaches relevant to their career trajectory. An MSc in Marine and Freshwater Resources: Monitoring and Management will build on undergraduate courses in Earth and Ocean Sciences, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Geography and Geosystems and the Bachelor of Science degree programme. It will provide a pathway for students interested in pursuing a career in industries concerned with the protection and use of water. The course will also be targeted at professionals in industry, government, and the regulatory sector who wish to further develop their skills and resources.
This course sets out to equip students with a broad range of skills and an understanding of the fundamental concepts underpinning the functioning of aquatic systems, the ability to communicate about them in a meaningful way and the ability to make informed and responsible decisions regarding marine and freshwater resources.
The course has a focus on cross-sector skills and competences that can be transferred from one topic/occupational area to another, enabling national and international occupational mobility for its graduates, and giving them the skill set to work in and lead multidisciplinary teams. Cross-sector skills and competences are of growing importance all over Europe and are considered relevant to occupations across several economic sectors (ESCO).
The course structure is based on a 90 ECTS model, with 60 ECTS coming from taught modules which account for either 5 or 10 credits each. The breakdown of the 60 ECTS may include module choices, with 40 credits coming from core modules and the remaining 20 credits coming from general or subject-specific (environment, marine) optional modules, in both Semesters 1 and 2. A research project in Semester 3 accounts for the remaining 30 ECTS. It is envisaged students will spend their time in the Schools and Disciplines of NUIG and that the research thesis component be conducted in the disciplines, industry, or associated collaborating national or international institutions or organisations.
