About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: H22A1
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Geography and Environmental Management
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: MSc: 12 months full-time(two days of attended lectures a fortnight with online access in alternate weeks) or 24-36 months part-time (one attendance day per fortnight with online access in alternate weeks). PG Dip: approx. 9 months full-time study or approx. 18 months on a part-time basis. PG Cert: approx. 3 months full time or approx. 6 months part-time.
- Delivery: Full time, part time, modules also available as short courses
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Jo Barnes
- Key fact: This course uniquely brings together air quality and carbon management into a management-focused and solutions-based programme of study.
Introduction
Historically, air pollution in the UK was dominated by high levels of smoke and sulphur dioxide from burning fossil fuels for industrial and domestic purposes. Over the last 50 years, pollution from these sources has declined, due in part to legislation, but also to economic and societal changes.
Today, approximately 95% of air quality problems are transport related. Emissions from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles provide the greatest threat to public health through poor air quality and increased carbon emitted into the atmosphere. This situation exists in most urban areas throughout both the developing and developed world. Therefore, the principles dealt with in this programme of study can be applied anywhere in the world.
The UK has a responsibility to meet health-based EU limit values for specified pollutants as defined in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010, The Air Quality (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 3043) (and equivalents for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) imposes the requirement on local councils to meet similar objectives at a local level through Local Air Quality Management (LAQM). This means that local authorities are required to review and assess air quality within their districts and come up with solutions to ensure that pollution concentrations likely to affect humans are kept below agreed levels. Additionally, the UK government has made a commitment through the 2008 Climate Change Act to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 against 1990 levels, with at least 34% by 2020. It is recognised that local authorities will again play a key role in meeting these ambitious targets.
There are strong links between air pollutants and carbon emissions in terms of their sources and resolutions. However, one of the key issues around air quality and atmospheric carbon is that these two issues are seldom considered together locally either at a policy or operational level. Policies in one area have significant impact on the other. There is a real need for local authorities, environmental consultancies, transport planners and government policy makers to consider these problems together. It is this combined approach which this unique management-focused MSc Air and Carbon Management aims to address.
Why study MSc Air Quality and Carbon Management at UWE?
The MSc Air and Carbon Management is run by the Air Quality Management Resource Centre (AQMRC) in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management. With 60 years experience of air quality, pollution and planning, the AQMRC is widely recognised both nationally and internationally as the leading provider of air quality and carbon management information, advice, research, training and consultancy services. It is also heavily engaged with the Environmental Technologies iNet, a multi-stakeholder, ERDF-funded project, whose remit covers sustainable transport, construction, waste and renewable energy.
Structure
Content
You will study four 30 credit master's level modules and a combined dissertation and research module, as follows:
- Principles of Air and Carbon Management
- Policies of Air and Carbon Management
- Practices of Air and Carbon Management
- Integrated Solutions for Air and Carbon Management
- Dissertation including research methods
The dissertation is a piece of independent research. You will be given training on research methods to support your dissertation.
Teaching and learning
To ensure accessibility and flexibility, the programme is available for study both as a full-time or part-time programme, deliverable as 'blended' learning - a mix of face-to-face delivery and guided online learning. Alternatively, learners may make use of their professional experience to evidence that their knowledge, expertise and intellectual acumen meet the required learning outcomes of the programme through work-based learning.
Study time
Part time
You will study one 30 credit module per semester. You will be expected to devote a day each week to guided learning. This will alternate between a day of guided online learning and a day of attendance at UWE i.e. you will only attend UWE one day every two weeks.
The taught part of the course will be delivered over two years. You may start the dissertation during the course of the second year or take a third year to complete it.
Full time
You will study two 30 credit modules per semester. Therefore, in contrast with part time students, you will be expected to devote two days a week to guided learning. These will alternate between online learning and attendance at UWE i.e. you will attend UWE two days every two weeks.
Irrespective of the study mode you choose, you can expect to devote a considerable amount of your own time to independent reading and learning, project work, assessment preparation and the dissertation.
Assessment
Students will be assessed by a critical commentary supported by a portfolio of evidence, which will demonstrate learning in a range of techniques and styles.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). You can therefore rest assured that it is fully recognised within the profession. We will also be seeking accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management.
CPD short courses
Component parts of the modules are also available as short courses for continuing professional development. The short courses are also accredited by the IES and additionally by the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM). Courses are delivered flexibly online and face to face, either here at UWE or at the trainee's venue of choice.
Careers/further study
You will be able to pursue a career in air quality and carbon management, uniquely positioned as a specialist bringing together these important and often interdependent areas. This could be within local or regional government, through national agencies or in environmental consultancy work. This course is also ideal preparation if you wish to advance your studies to PhD level.
Entry
Entry requirements
A UK undergraduate degree in an environmental, scientific or other cognate discipline, classification 2.2 or above or equivalent from an institution overseas. We also welcome applications from those with other relevant academic qualifications, as well as those with 3 or more years of professional experience in this area.
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications. For information about the course contact the Programme Leader, Jo Barnes, on jo.barnes@uwe.ac.uk
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011