An interdisciplinary course
across Departments
Environment, Science and Society is an innovative Master’s course jointly taught by a wide range of departments and centres at the University of Essex. The
course admitted its first students in October 1996 and is available as a
12 months full time degree or 24 months part time.
This course is designed to introduce students to the multidimensional nature of environmental questions and to provide a wide
range of perspectives with which to analyse environmental problems and
desirable outcomes. It introduces physical, social and economic dimensions of major environmental problems, and explores the way in which those dimensions interact. Nine academic departments, all with
expertise in environmental aspects of their disciplines, contribute to the
scheme, under the co-ordination of a Course Director and Management Committee. The novel, trans-disciplinary nature of the course is reflected in the fact that the degree awarded is
either an MA or MSc depending on your preference. The course is well
suited to graduates from the social sciences and humanities as well as
natural scientists.
The course is directed by Professor Ian Colbeck
in the School of Biological Sciences.
Aims of the Course
There are two overarching aims for the course. Postgraduate students who have successfully completed this scheme should be able to demonstrate:
1. Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of environmental science (irrespective of their disciplinary background), and an ability to contribute critically to cross-disciplinary analyses of environmental questions;
2. Knowledge and understanding of a wide range of different disciplinary perspectives (including accounting, biological, chemical, ecological, economic, legal, physical, political and social), and an ability to integrate these into analyses of environmental issues and problems.
Degree Structure
The scheme extends over a full year
with taught courses during the Autumn and Spring terms (until Easter), followed by a
dissertation to be completed by mid-September. The course contains compulsory Core Seminars,
introductory Thematic Modules and Research Methods courses, and choices of
three specialist option streams. All assessment is via coursework.
Optional modules (choice of three) include:
* Sustainability
* Advanced Conservation Management
* Environmental Economics
* International Environmental Politics
* Environmental Law in the European Community
* Society and the Environment: the Global Challenge
* Social Movements and Environmental Issues
* The Dynamics of Globalisation
* Colonialism, Culture and Globalisation
* Coastal Ecology
* Water Pollution
* Climate Change
In addition to the formal teaching
there are a wide range of events, relevant to this course, for
students to attend such as a weekly
film series,
seminars and the
opportunity to hear leading academics speak on various current issues.
Research Project
Students undertake a project, running from Easter to mid-September. This may be a positional paper, a review or a
field investigation, but it must be trans-disciplinary. The choice of
research topic is left to the student but detailed guidance is
available if needed. A supervisor from one of the contributing
Departments will be appointed to guide you during this work. There is
always the opportunity to undertake a project in collaboration with
local government, NGOs and conservation groups.
Click to view previous research projects
Alumni
There is a wide variety of career destinations. Many alumni have
positions in local, national and international government; in
environmental NGOs; in research laboratories or have continued with
further study.
Students from many countries have enrolled on the course with
significantly differing backgrounds ranging from sociology to
natural sciences, economics and law.
Applications and Further Information
For further information about postgraduate study please contact: Graduate Administrator, School of Biological Sciences, University
of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK.
International enquiries:
email:
biosci-pgt@essex.ac.uk
telephone: +44 1206 874470
Home and EU enquiries:
email:
bsgradtaught@essex.ac.uk
telephone: 01206 872051
For informal enquiries about the course contact:
Professor Ian Colbeck:
colbi@essex.ac.uk
telephone: 01206 872203
Online
applications
