Environmental Informatics

MSc Environmental Informatics

Delivery method: Full-time
Course Reference: MSEI

Course Overview

Environmental features and the processes affecting them occur over geographical space. Environmental Informatics involves the use and management of geospatial information, enabling us to understand and model environmental processes and predict the effects of environmental change. Remote sensing is a key source of geospatial data for environmental analysis and assessment.

This is a very practical course with a strong environmental content aimed towards environmental managers. The course builds a working knowledge of environmental data acquisition by field survey and through remote sensing, and develops a suite of skills in analysis by GIS techniques. This is all placed in the context of environmental assessment and management by conservation practitioners and researchers.

The course taps into the range of expertise across the Centre for Conservation Ecology & Environmental Change, with core skills in geoinformatics, conservation ecology and environmental management. The course will also be heavily informed by the research activity of the Centre staff, and will be a very practical course in which individual research and skills development will be strongly encouraged. Collaborative links with both research and conservation organisations across the UK and globally, provide excellent opportunities for students to engage in field research and professional placements. This course is unique in bridging the gap between field ecology and computer-based geo-spatial analyses.

Bournemouth University is exceptionally well located for learning about environmental conservation and management. Situated on the Dorset coast, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bournemouth lies within easy reach of outstanding environments of global importance for conservation, including the Wessex Downs, the Dorset heaths, Poole Harbour and the New Forest.

In the School of Conservation Sciences we use a blend of different learning methods from individual tuition during tutorials to formal lectures and practicals with a range of group sizes. From this blend of learning styles students gain confidence and flourish in their chosen fields. Course-work is modelled on the types of tasks professionals in the field would undertake and includes the production of professional reports, empirical evaluations, team projects, and oral presentations. Professional skills are developed through group work, interaction with practioners and via a work placement. One of the key strengths of the course lies in the wide range of environmental practioners who are involved in its delivery – lectures, practical, and placement hosts. This professional involvement is key to the success of our graduates and keeps the course at the leading edge of professional practice.

The School is part of European Union funded schemes such as Socrates-Erasmus, Tempus and Leonardo adding to the cultural diversity of the School and providing opportunities for overseas study.