MSc Integrated Environmental Management by distance learning

What is distance learning?

The essence of distance learning is flexibility, both in terms of when and how someone can study. For the IEM programme, this is done at home or in the workplace using workbooks supported by textbooks, video and audio material. A tutor is available to contact by telephone and email and provides friendly help and guidance throughout your studies.

We also offer residential schools here at Bath combining interactive group work with the opportunity to meet and listen to specialists in the IEM subjects. These form an integral part of the MSc programme; however, they are not essential for successful study of the IEMA or other CPD courses and most of our CPD students complete their courses successfully entirely through study at a distance.

Programme structure

MSc students take nine units and attend two compulsory residential school sessions before moving on to their dissertation research project.

Download MSc study plan for October 2012 start [pdf].

Assessment

Assessment is by means of tutor-marked assignments, examinations and a dissertation. Examinations are held at the University of Bath although, for students based overseas, a local venue can be arranged.

How long will it take to complete?

The total time to complete the course is approximately 1500 hours of study and most students spread this over three years although faster and slower study plans are available with a maximum of five years to complete the MSc.

The Director of Studies is available to advise students about their choice of units by taking into account their work experience and any specified interests. Contact iem@bath.ac.uk with any queries.

Compulsory units

• Environmental Management and Assessment
• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Clean Technology 1
• Carbon Management
• Policy Planning and Regulation.

Optional units

• Environmental Audit
• Cost Benefit Analysis
• Environmental Risk Management
• Climate Impact and Adaptation
• Clean Technology 2
• Energy Efficiency and Renewables.

Residential schools

• Residential 1
• Residential 2.

Dissertation

• Dissertation

Download full unit descriptions [pdf].

For further details, please see the programme and unit catalogue.

The aim of the dissertation is to demonstrate your ability to carry out detailed research. Your dissertation will be about 15,000 words in length and will address a relevant topic which will have been agreed upon in consultation with your dissertation supervisor.

Students who are sponsored by their companies may choose a topic which will be additionally beneficial to their employer.

To help you prepare for your dissertation you will attend a two day dissertation workshop at the University at the end of the taught programme.

Previous dissertation titles

• Adeosun-Verhaak, Adefunke - The Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Compounds as an Example of the Precautionary Principle and an Investigation into whether the Legislation Affected EU-15 Competitiveness Adversely. (2012)
• Chard, Michael - Does ISO 14000 bring about improved environmental performance in the construction industry. – With special reference to Sir Robert MaAlpine Ltd. (2012)
• Moysey, Carolyn - The factors which should be considered by a global organisation in the establishing and monitoring of carbon reduction targets. (2012)
• Bichara-Diseki, Simone - Life-cycle assessment of a microalgae biodiesel production system for the investigation of energy requirements. (2011)
• Deriglazova, Natalya - The Role of Tiered Environment Analyses in USDOI Practices Relating to U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Development. (2011)
• Elder, Graeme - The factors which should be considered by a global organisation in the establishment and monitoring of carbon reduction targets.(2011)
• Gogan, Raymond - Review of Waste Management Options for Oil Based Mud Cuttings with Special Emphasis on Waste Injection. (2011)
• Gray, Jonathan - End-of-Life Issued Uniform Shirts: can PSNI’s published Sustainability. (2011)
• Higgins, Tony - Carbon Footprint: is the term widely understood, and if not, could lack of understanding by a workforce have an impact upon the environmental performance of an organisation? Strategy impact upon disposal. (2011)
• James, Keith - An investigation of the relationship between recycling paper and card and greenhouse gas emissions from land use change. (2011)
• Johnson, Kehinde - A review of Public Consultation Process under the Nigerian EIA Act of 1992. (2011)
• Weir, Derek - A Critical Review of Sustainability Strategy in Policing by Literature Review. (2011)
• Lugo, Donna - Environmental Decision Making Using Multi-Attribute Decision Analysis – A Case study involving Waste Disposal Options for High Volume Very Low Level Radioactive Waste Asbestos. (2011)

The compulsory residential schools take place at the University of Bath and provide an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students and staff as well as to participate in skill development exercises and practical demonstrations based on the material within the modules. They are tutored by experts in the field of environmental management and are an integral part of the MSc programme.

Introductory workshop - April starters only

• Introductory workshop 18-19 April 2013
  An introduction to the MSc programme for those students who start in April each year. They will then not need to attend the first two days of the October Residential School.

October Residential Schools - Year 1 & Year 2

• Residential School 1 (7 days)
  An introduction to the MSc programme linked specifically to the first four units: Environmental Management & Assessment, Sustainability, Environmental Impact Assessment and Life Cycle Assessment, and includes a workshop on examination techniques.
• Residential School 2 (6 days)
  The second residential relates to the final three compulsory units: Clean Technology, Carbon Management and Policy Planning & Regulation, as well as sessions on the optional units.

Residential Dates for 2012

• Residential School 1: 23-31 September 2013
• Residential School 2: 25 September - 2 October 2013

If you have been accepted onto the MSc for 1 October 2012 start you will be expected to attend Residential School 1 in Bath.

The MSc is taught by the following tutors, many of whom are specialists in their field:

• Paul Slater - IEMA unit tutor
• Trevor Turpin - Environmental Impact Assessment tutor
• Martin Whiteland - Environmental Audit Unit Tutor
• Alex Hetherington - IEMA unit tutor
• Dr Bob Peters - Energy Management unit tutor
• Rosa Richards
• Marcel Steward
• Manu Munyikwa
• Steve Arnold - Cost Benefit Analysis tutor
• Barbara Carroll

Download full tutor profiles [pdf].

Applicants must have a first degree from a recognised university and both science and arts-based degrees are accepted.

Access route

For non-graduate applicants with appropriate practical experience, the Access route is available. The Access route comprises the first two units of the full MSc programme. Entrants achieving the required standard in these two units and who wish to continue with their studies can apply to transfer to the MSc programme.

English language requirements

The language of study for the course is English. The University's minimum requirement for non-native English speakers is 6.5 in the IELTS test (Academic English) or 580 in the TOEFL test. Applicants who do not hold one of these qualifications, but who have undertaken significant work experience or study, where English was the main language of communication, may be accepted upon submission of suitable evidence.

APL or APEL

Where applicants can demonstrate evidence of prior learning achievement which is relevant in terms of this programme, credit may be awarded in part fulfilment of the programme’s credit requirement. Credit will be granted for whole units only up to a maximum of 50% of the taught programme.

There are two intakes per year:

• 1 April (deadline for applications 28 February)
• 1 October (deadline for applications 30 August)

Apply online

To apply, visit the University's online application system

Choose the programme you wish to apply for from the list. This will depend on the start dates you require.

Complete the online application form and upload the relevant supporting documents.

All applications are assessed by the Director of Studies.

Fees are due upon acceptance of a place on the programme.