International Environmental Management (Madras)

MSc

Environmental management issues now feature prominently on national and international political agendas. Global climate change, sea-level rise, and pollution are threatening the equilibrium of the planet. Against the backdrop of these environmental concerns, there is increasing demand around the world for highly skilled managers of the environment. In addition, there are close links between management of the environment and the health, well-being and economic prosperity of a country. Environmental and wastes management have both been identified as 'priority areas' by the World Bank.

The Indian Subcontinent is particularly sensitive to climate variability, while its environment, society, industry and agriculture are potentially vulnerable to future climate change. According to the Department for International Development (DFID), environmental considerations, including climatic variability, play a key role in humanitarian work, increasing the severity of environmental hazards worst and hampering humanitarian operations and long-term recovery. In addition, as the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, and with close links between management of the environment and the health, well-being and economic prosperity of the country, environmental management has been identified as a priority area by the Government of India.

MSc International Environmental Management and associated interim awards have been specifically designed to meet the needs and ever growing sustainability demands of a both developed and rapidly developing countries. Delivered in a range of formats (taught, block and distance learning) it aims to provide students from a diversity of backgrounds with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge at postgraduate level that will enable them to become effective environmental managers. The aim is for students to develop the critical and analytical skills associated with postgraduate training as well as acquiring a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles of environmental management, and be trained to undertake the research required to tackle environmental issues. In addition to the acquisition of subject-specific skills and knowledge, the programmes of study will equip its graduates with a range of transferable skills.

Overview
Content
Additional information
How to apply
Fees and funding
International

Course level

Postgraduate

Modes of study

Part time, Distance learning

Attendance

Online programme supported by two (non-compulsory) one week residential sessions (February and September) at the University of Madras, Chennai, India.

Location

University of Madras

Entry requirements

The University of Northampton Postgraduate UMF admissions policy applies.

Length of study

Two to five years

Start date

February and September

School

School of Science and Technology

Course content

The programme of study have been specifically designed to meet the needs and demands of a rapidly changing India.

Overall programme aims are:

To provide an advanced vocational course in environmental management, suitable for both graduate students from a range of first-degree backgrounds and disciplines, and professionals to meet the needs and demands of developing and/or developed countries
To enable students to develop an understanding of an integrated approach to environmental management in accordance with governmental and international policy statements on sustainability
To enable students to have a broad understanding of the environmental, economic, ethical and social implications of environmental management
To provide comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles and policies which underpin wastes management in developing and/or developed countries
To enable students to develop the skills required to assess, analyse and offer practicable sustainable solutions to environmental issues such as climate change
To enable active and autonomous learning to be developed through the use of real problems and case study materials
To develop key skills including problem-solving abilities, practical competencies, critical appraisal and communication skills
To provide the opportunity for students to undertake and report upon an advanced practical project in a topical area of environmental management of their choosing (MSc only)

Special course features

The programme of study is jointly delivered by an academic team from the universities of Northampton and Madras.

Intensive face-to-face teaching supported by a Virtual Learning Environment.

Typical modules

Research and Analytical Methods
Climate Change and Risk Management
Environmental Management Policy and Control (India)
Wastes Management in India
Pollution Abatement Technologies
Geo-informatics for Environmental Management
Implementing Sustainability
Environmental Psychology
Applied Project
Research Thesis

Assessment

All modules are assessed by coursework alone, with no examinations. The coursework itself takes a variety of forms, and there are between two and three items of assessment for each module. Assessment methods include: reports, data analysis/interpretation, case studies, audits and essay, research dissertation (MSc only) and time constrained tasks. The module assessments are designed so that students can demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.

Facilities available

All students will have online access to easy-to-follow Module Learning Materials containing many stimulating activities. Candidate support includes email and telephone access to tutors, access to internet based academic journal databases and to The University of Northampton and University of Madras libraries.

Infrastructures and Facilities at the University of Madras

Departmental Library with 4,500 books and international and national journals
GIS laboratory
Remote Sensing and Map Production laboratory
Internet / email laboratory
Hardware and Software
- Three servers
- 35 stand-alone clients
- LAN and WAN networks
- A0, A4 scanners
- Two Smart boards, three LCD stationary and one non-stationary projectors
- 1500 topographical maps, including Ordnance Survey maps
- 100 aerial photographs
- Digital data products for Tamil Nadu, especially coastal regions
- ArcGIS
- ArcMap
- ArcView
- Geomedia
- Total Station
- ERDAS
- Grass GIS
- Geomedia
- Map Info
- Micro Images
- ER Mapper
- Micro Station
- Intranet, Extranet, e-journal facilities

Methods of study

Online (DL) and week-long intensive residential programme at the University of Madras in February and September.

Career opportunities

Deliberately vocational in design, graduates of this course are in high demand and are able to secure posts in the field of environmental management including consultancy, local government, private sector, water and waste industries, and higher education.

For general application information please see our how to apply page.