Marine & Coastal Management

BSc (Hons) Marine & Coastal Management

Delivery method: Full-time
Course Reference: BSMCM

Course Overview

This course was previously named BSc (Hons) Environment & Coastal Management

Coastal zones require special attention due to the demand put upon resources from a wide range of human activities and environmental processes. Organisations involved in coastal activities belong to a variety of different commercial sectors, each with distinct objectives and legislative concerns, so their activities often conflict.

A growing global awareness of the consequences of increased human and environmental demands upon coastal resources and the issues facing its many disparate users has highlighted the need for integrated coastal zone management at international, national and regional levels.

Consequently, there is growing demand for professionally trained managers who can understand the issues facing the many siparate users of coastal resources and provide strategic solutions for sustainable management. Two six-week placements enable students to put their scientific training into practice and to develop their interpersonal skills essential to the workplace.

Our superb location by the Dorset Heritage Coast benefits the course. Recent graduates on similar courses have found positions within the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trusts, Local Authorities and with environmental consultants.

Others have gone on to Masters courses and further research. Mature student entry is encouraged, candidates being considered based on relevant professional experience and/or qualifications.

The Student experience
"Climate is set to change and sea level will rise bringing new hazards and challenges."

"Over 80% of the World’s beaches are eroding."

These are just two of the many environmental challenges that we face today.

For several years the School has taught a highly successful Masters course,

MSc Environmental Practice: Marine & Coastal Management and the School was instrumental in the successful application for World Heritage status for the for the East Devon and Dorset Coastline in 2001.

We introduced this undergraduate course in 2003 and student take up has vindicated our view of the need to provide well qualified graduates within this environmental field. We will train and provide you with the scientific knowledge and skills to inform policy development and implementation allowing you to make a difference. We live in a rapidly changing environment, the consequence of the interplay of an array of natural, social, economic and political factors.

These factors determine the geography of the physical, urban, economic and cultural environments in which we live and have a profound impact on the way we manage and exploit our coastal environment.

The conservation of biological systems and the environment in which they function is an essential component of sustainable development.

Based in Bournemouth, you will be ideally placed to experience these forces at work upon the coastal environment and be near outstanding environments, of global importance for conservation. The School is involved with research and knowledge transfer and interacts with a range of national and international clients.

Within the Centre for Conservation Ecology & Environmental Change there are four research areas each with an international reputation:

• Coastal Processes and Geomorphology;
• Biogeography and Habitats;
• Waste and Environmental Management;
• Spatial Information System.

Our research directly contributes to our taught courses and offers you the opportunity to become involve in leading edge issues. We believe our environmental courses are unique in having exposure to law in all three years, with our students well versed in the regulatory systems and conservation law. This makes the difference to your career as organisations increasing have to meet intenational legal frameworks of regulatory and social responsibilty.