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Course structure

Aquatic Environments MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning.

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits: 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

In the first term you will attend a series of seminars and workshops on developing your research proposal, academic writing and relevant research methodologies, culminating in submission of a full research proposal. You will also study on specialist taught courses.

Throughout the rest of your year you will work on your specialist research project, whilst working with your peers in evaluating research papers and attending seminars.

In part-time mode the research project and evaluating research module will spread over the two-year study period, but you should complete you research training and project proposal within the first year.

Areas of study

The core MRes research project module is at the heart of the degree and equips you with a fundamental understanding of the research process across a wide and dynamic range of disciplines.

The course allows you to tailor your studies to areas of aquatic environmental sciences that match your specific interests.

Topics are in three subject areas:

Surface processes research area focuses on environmental pollution, geomorphology, ecology, ecotoxicology, geochemistry and climate change within ocean, coastal, riverine and wetland environments.

Water and wastewater quality and treatment research area focuses on sanitation, environmental and public health, and technology for water quality remediation and treatment.

Water services and water use research area focuses on valuing aquatic ecosystem services and developing policies for water-related communities and environments.

Syllabus 

Modules

Core modules

• Evaluating Research in Geoscience, Environment and Society

  This module will explore and debate cutting-edge research in environmental geoscience, with an emphasis on evaluating research design and findings, and enable you to produce an in-depth critical evaluation of a research topic. The module will be delivered via presentations by staff, external speakers and postgraduate students, with seminar discussions of the work presented.

• MRes Research Project

  During this module you will carry out a detailed independent investigative research project within a relevant academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice. You will develop advanced skills in project planning, data generation and analysis, critical analysis of scientific literature, and written and oral presentation to the expected level of a professional scientist.

Options*

• Advanced Atmosphere, Weather and Climate

  In this module, you will explore the atmosphere, its composition and links to climate change and atmospheric circulation. You will study the impacts of pollution – in particular, road traffic pollution – its mitigation and socio-political considerations. You will learn through lectures, in-class activities and workshops, and will also take part in a mini air quality assessment project in the local area.

• Policy and Implementation in Town Planning

  This module examines the policies and processes behind spatial planning in England and Wales, covering the key principles, the roles of different stakeholders and how individual rights and community interests can be balanced. You’ll look at the changing planning policy framework which is used to guide development and land use and explore how and why this has changed over time.

• Independent Study

  In the Independent Study module, you will perform an in-depth investigation of a subject of interest from a chosen area of study that fits within broad field of environmental management but is outside the range of material covered by the course. Typical examples may include assessment of the role of waste management in environmental assessment, developing an environmental monitoring system for sustainable buildings and spatial analysis of ‘austerity’ news reporting. It will be distinct from the topic chosen for your dissertation.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

  This module will examine the principles behind, and the practice of, environmental impact assessment (EIA). You will study the development of EIA and its integration into EU and UK law, and the relationship between EIA and sustainable development. You’ll also explore the importance of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the effects that it may have on UK and EU environmental management. The module will use case studies to provide local and national examples of environmental statements and discuss the importance of quality and review.

• Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management

  This module gives you a core understanding of contemporary environmental management issues. It will assess the global mega trends driving the need for environmental management, including climate change and biodiversity loss, and cover concepts and policy interventions to address these challenges. The module includes case studies that critically evaluate how environmental management is being addressed from policy through to project level, including waste management, food supply, coastal environmental management, sustainable business models and energy.

• Controversies in Science

  Controversies in Science will develop your ability to critically review and understand the nature of progress in science. A series of case studies from different disciplines and time periods will illustrate how scientific theories develop and why, by their nature, scientific hypotheses are always formulated in an environment of initially contradictory evidence. You will select a controversial area of modern science, review the competing theories to find the key drivers of disagreement and suggest experimental or theoretical means by which these might be resolved.

• Hydrology and Pollutant Transport

  The Hydrology and Pollutant Transport module introduces you to the fundamentals of surface and groundwater hydrology, focusing on precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, discharge, groundwater recharge, groundwater storage and groundwater flow. You will look at pollutant transport dynamics with a focus on pollutants in surface and groundwaters generated by human activities. The module places these topics in the context of the UK water industry structure, international legal and policy frameworks, and integrated catchment management.

• Issues in Ecology and Conservation

  This module has a journal club format and provides an in-depth critical exploration of some of the key issues and current global challenges facing species, habitats and ecosystems. You will examine the ecological and environmental factors that impact biodiversity and critically evaluate the effectiveness of conservation strategies in mitigating these impacts. With emphasis placed on providing an interactive learning experience, each week will focus on a different topic.

• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

  This introductory course to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is for both newcomers to the field and existing practitioners. The module will give you a theoretical and practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications using GIS software. You will develop spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem-solving skills and apply these to the identification and examination of geographical and wider environmental issues.

• Contested Natures and Social Justice

  This module explores how power influences environmental change and governance. You will develop advanced critical skills by examining intellectual debates around nature, society and social justice in global environmental agendas. There’s a focus on how research in environmental social science is shaped by helps shape and new policies, activism and real-world actions. Learning will include reading, group discussions and guided visits.

• Environmental Management in Organisations

  This module explores the evolution and philosophy behind environmental management in organisations and looks at environmental impacts and legislation. You will examine the reasons for incorporating environmental considerations into an organisation’s operations, including Net Zero, compliance with regulations, economic drivers, sustainability, resource efficiency and corporate social responsibility.

• Environmental Policy and Law

  This module is an in-depth exploration of environmental policy and law from international, European Union and the UK perspectives. Taught by environmental lawyers and practitioners, the module covers policy and law development, criminal and civil law and international conventions. You will consider aspects of policy and law across a range of areas including contaminated land, planning, waste and air quality.

• Water Quality Assessment and Management

  This module introduces you to water quality assessment and management, teaching you skills related to field and laboratory experimental design, measurement of water quality, data analysis, interpretation of results and reporting to specialist/non-specialist audiences. It will provide you with experience in the management and presentation of large datasets and you will explore the roles of water safety planning, risk assessment, nature-based management and water treatment. You will also undertake analysis of water samples in the Centre for Aquatic Environments lab.

• Water Recycling Technology

  Our ability to identify, treat and distribute water safely is critical, however water scarcity is increasing due to expanding populations and more varied weather patterns, so the need for new water sources means wastewater is a precious resource. The module will explore traditional water and wastewater treatment as well as advanced water recycling processes to enable selection and design of the most sustainable economic and environmental processes. It will also provide carbon accounting skills.

• Sustainable Construction

  This module looks at how the design and construction of buildings impact the environment. It provides a critical appraisal of one planet living and the responsibilities of the individual and the construction industry, and explores the resources consumed and pollution resulting from buildings and methods by which their sustainability can be evaluated. Some of the key features of buildings acknowledged as ‘sustainable construction’ will also be appraised.

• Plant and Invertebrate Taxonomy

  This practical module provides you with advanced knowledge of the diagnostic features of important UK invertebrate and plant families. You will become familiar with key taxonomic groups and competent in the use of identification keys across specialist taxonomic groups. The module aims to consolidate identification of plant species, focusing on common Eudicots families and Poaceae, and further your classification and identification skills for invertebrate taxa (molluscs and arthropods).

• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation

  This module provides an integrated approach to the study of key issues in ecotoxicology and environmental microbiology. You will explore a range of contemporary issues concerning biodegradation, food contamination, water quality, environmental health, bioremediation and current environmental legislation. You’ll look at the key concepts around the safe consumption of food and water and the biological responses to environmental stressors and microbial pollution events.

• Applications in GIS

  Application in GIS is a follow-on course to help you develop skills around spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem solving. You will use the skills learnt in module GYM01 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems to identify and examine geographical and wider environmental issues. Case study topics include suitability modelling using raster-based Boolean approaches; data acquisition using GPS and Differential-GPS; and development of GIS-based decision support systems.

• Applied Remote Sensing

  On this module you will learn how to acquire, verify and apply remotely sensed digital image data. Using a hands-on approach, you'll use these skills to investigate geographical and wider environmental issues. The module includes contributions from external contributors from both industry and academia.

• Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities

  In this module you will look at the importance of climate change in the development of local coastal planning policies for energy, housing, transport and employment. You will also work with a local community group or a neighbourhood planning forum on an urban case study in or around 91¶¶Òõ and Hove. You will research, survey and analyse an area to produce effective responses to address the challenges of sustainable growth.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Staff profile

, Principal Research Fellow

I am an environmental scientist with expertise in water quality assessment and management. My main research interests focus upon the design, development and application of tools that can identify and help manage aquatic environments impacted by a range of existing and emerging contaminants. 

My teaching and research interests focus on three main areas;

• The development and application of tools for quantifying and locating the sources of water contaminants. 
• Statistical risk analysis of contaminated water to inform management to protect environment quality and human health.
• Wastewater reuse to combat future water scarcity

I am interested in supervising postgraduate research students (MRes and PhD) in the field of water and wastewater quality and treatment, with a focus on environmental microbiology, prediction and mapping and risk assessment.

Find out about other members of the team

Facilities

Our specialist facilities include:

• geology, soil and water analysis labs
• public health and geochemical analysis labs
• air and water quality monitoring sites
• environmental hydraulics labs 
• microscopy suite 
• computer suite with GIS and remote-sensing software
• bench scale experimental treatment rigs
• gamma spectroscopy 
• carbon analysis 
• experimental river basin
• flumes
• terrestrial laser scanners
• field survey equipment and drones
• atmospheric observatory.

Tap for a virtual tour of some of our facilities.

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

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