MSc/PgDip

Environmental Assessment and Management

3 good reasons to study Environmental Assessment and Management at Salford

Recognised by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) as having cognate degree status
Opportunities for project work with private, public and third sector organisations
A residential field course and interactive site visits which offer practical experience

This course offers a broad-based curriculum studying the relationships between human and natural components of the environment.

It is designed to produce graduates sufficiently equipped to play a leading role in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of environmental policy initiatives within the environmental industries.

This course enables you to develop essential knowledge and skills to progress to a professional career in environmental management, regulation or consultancy.

Course details

This course involves engagement with a number of ideas drawn from law, economics and the social and physical sciences which are of relevance to the theory and practice of environmental assessment and management.

Modules address the existing and emerging challenges and explore contemporary management, technological and regulatory systems designed to reduce environmental risks.

A feature of this course is applied learning and an emphasis on contextualising study.

This course comprises four taught modules complemented by a research dissertation. Within the full-time course three modules are compulsory with two studied in semester 1 and the remaining one in semester 2. The remaining module is optional and you can choose one module in semester 2 from the available options.

For part-time students, the taught components span two academic years each consisting of two semesters between September and May. Year 1 involves the study of two core modules. Year 2 involves the study of one core and one optional module.

This course has both full-time and part-time routes, which, for the MSc, comprises three 14-week semesters or five 14-week semesters, which you can take within one or three years respectively:

For the full-time study option:

Semester 1 - September to February

Semester 2 - February to June

Semester 3 - June to September

Semester 1

Research and Professional Practice (30 credits)

(this module runs throughout the year)

This module aims to enable you to design, plan and execute a programme of research through active enquiry and to undertake appropriate analysis of research results. You will have the opportunity to use research skills acquired in the applied context of ‘real world’ project work in a variety of professional settings and to develop the skills necessary for successful delivery of project outcomes.

Risk: Perception and Management (30 credits)

(this module runs throughout the year)

This module aims to enable you to critically appraise factors that influence the perception of, and response to, a range of risks to the environment, safety, public health and well-being and their significance in risk communication and trust. This module also assists you in the evaluation of approaches in risk management processes and application to contextual situations.

Techniques for Environmental Assessment and Management (30 credits)

This module examines the relevance and relative merits of the different tools and approaches available to the business community in assessing and improving its environmental performance and addressing the sustainability agenda. You will explore through case study and field work the response of the business community to the internal and external drivers of environmental performance and corporate social responsibility.

Semester 2

Research and Professional Practice (30 credits)

(this module runs throughout the year)

Risk: Perception and Management (30 credits)

(this module runs throughout the year)

Environmental Investigation and Remediation (optional) (30 credits)

This module develops the knowledge and skills relevant to the investigation and analysis of environmental pollution and contamination issues. You will gain experience of sampling soil, water and biological material in the field together with skills related to sample preparation and laboratory analysis. You will develop experience of using GIS mapping tools for data presentation. This module also examines technical options for pollution prevention and remediation.

Energy, Resources and Sustainability (optional) (30 credits)

This module aims to critically review the relationship between energy, air quality, climate change and waste management as components of sustainable development strategies at national, European and international levels. You will examine the nature and origins of pollution problems, assess the success of sustainability initiatives and undertake site visits to examine the complexity of environmental challenges. This module will provide you with an insight into and appreciation of environmental, technical, economic and political factors influencing policies and mechanisms for sustainable resource management.

Semester 3

Dissertation (60 credits)

This dissertation aims to contribute to the body of knowledge in your area by devising and conducting an independent research project and through independent, self-motivated critical thinking, to develop as a reflective practitioner.

Course Enquiries

For course enquiries please call us on:

T: +44 (0) 161 295 4545

Or Email us at:

Home/EU students
E: enquiries@salford.ac.uk

International students
E: international@salford.ac.uk