Sustainability and Environmental Management MSc

Course content

What will you study on the MSc Sustainability and Environmental Management?

This MSc course is aimed at students with an interest in the application of sustainable environmental management principles in practice. It focuses on sustainability issues and the development of tools and techniques to envision change and bring about practical solutions to real world cases.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of the scientific basis of the most significant global environmental issues confronting private and public sector decision makers and they will master a variety of analytical approaches to aid the design, evaluation and application of management options based on law, policy and best practice.

This module sets the ethos of the programme orienting students towards the sustainability issues across the three core domains of sustainability – the environmental domain, social domain and economic domain. It presents the theory, drivers, experience and challenges across various spheres of experience and practice including the natural environment, communities and business. It also presents the approaches used to influence these contexts.

This module seeks to explore the current nature and history of the environmental, social and economic sustainability challenges in a case study environment subject to sustainability challenges. The field case study involves field exposure to a practical case study environment, which has challenged stakeholders and the practice of sustainability. Through meeting local stakeholders, experts and relevant academics relating to the case study, and with the supply of published literature and material in relation to the field area, students will experience and learn that there are various tensions and conflicts relating to sustainability which represent a balancing act. This allows students to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary challenges of Sustainability and Environmental Management than is possible otherwise. The opportunity to understand the area in the context of policy and legislation brings a practical perspective and critical focus to learning from other modules.

The case study is experienced through the field trip in late March with a week long visit to various locations in Almeria in Spain, with context and theoretical applications being explored in some introductory lectures. There is an alternative largely self-led UK-based case study for students in situations where travelling abroad is not possible due to personal issues.

This module grounds student learning in the policy, legal and governance relating to sustainability from local to international level. It provides key principles of policy and law, and their application to key domains of concern.

This module equips students with the practical tools and approaches to successful environmental assessment and management in organisations through a focus on the environmental management systems approach and application to varying industry sectors.

This module prepares students with the philosophical and practical methodological approaches to research through lectures and workshops which prepare the student not only with knowledge but practical experience of working with the tools and computer packages including Minitab and NVivo.

This module provides for independent research completion by the student to completion of MSc level dissertation supported by a dedicated supervisor.

This pathway supports student learning in this aligned area of practice. Students engage in learning about risk theory and practice, with a focus on risk management systems and the experience of risk management as it relates to flood hazard management. This pathway is underpinned by the research of the award winning Flood Hazard Research Centre at Middlesex University.

This module provides students with the preparatory skills for undertaking a work experience placement in a relevant field. Supported by the Middlesex University Employability Office, students are given the opportunity to undertake a work placement.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.