LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY

MSc Aquatic Science

www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/aquatic

A new multidisciplinary degree

Aquatic Science at UCL

Environmental issues such as eutrophication, habitat degradation and

climate change threaten the sustainability of our aquatic resources.

Responding to these threats the MSc in Aquatic Science at UCL equips

students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the structure and

functioning of aquatic environments from upland catchments to the coastal

zone, encompassing lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands, groundwaters,

estuaries and shallow seas.

Distinctive features of the programme include the integration of aquatic ecology with

hydrological and geomorphological processes, the analysis of sediment cores for the

reconstruction of past environmental change, the design of aquatic monitoring programmes,

and the modelling of aquatic system dynamics. The MSc offers a sound training in field

sampling, study design, instrumentation, numerical analysis, modelling and the taxonomy of

a range of aquatic organisms.

The UCL MSc in Aquatic Science provides an ideal foundation for PhD research, or for

employment with environmental protection and conservation agencies, the water industry

and environmental consultancies.

As one of the world’s top universities, UCL

excels across the physical and natural

sciences, social sciences and humanities. The

MSc is run by UCL Geography, which enjoys

an outstanding international reputation for its

research and teaching. Research groups

contributing to the MSc include those

concerned with Environmental Change;

Environmental Modelling; and Environment,

Landscape and Society. The programme also

benefits from the contribution of staff from

external organisations. By bringing together

students, researchers and practitioners in

water management we aim to create a vibrant

and informal academic environment of mutual

discovery and on-going debate.

Programme structure

All students take four core aquatic science modules in the first term and

choose a further four modules from a range of options in the second

term. Additionally, students undertake a piece of original research

leading to a dissertation of up to 15,000 words with the support of an

academic supervisor.

1st term (60 credits)

Core module 1: Aquatic systems

An introduction to the structure and functioning of aquatic systems along a continuum from the

mountain zone to the coastal shelf. Hydrological, geomorphological, physico-chemical and biological

processes and system linkages are examined in the context of current legislative frameworks.

Core module 2: Aquatic monitoring

Covers the design and implementation of chemical, biological and physical monitoring systems, and

the techniques necessary for intelligent acquisition of aquatic system data. Case-studies cover a wide

range of environments, including lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal waters in the light of recent

changes in environmental legislation and advances in instrument technology.

Core module 3: Quantitative environmental palaeoecology

An introduction to sediment core analysis and its application to issues of recent aquatic environmental

change, such as lake acidification, eutrophication and climate change. Practical classes provide

taxonomic expertise for a range of fossil groups.

Core module 4: Environmental data acquisition and analysis

A residential fieldclass provides practical experience of quantitative field sampling across different

aquatic environments and in the context of key management and conservation issues. This module

also covers laboratory procedures and numerical analysis of environmental data-sets.

2nd term (60 credits)

Options may include: Aquatic Macrophytes, Coastal Change, Environmental GIS, Lakes, Marine

Conservation, Science and Politics of Climate Change, Surface Water Modelling, and Wetlands.

3rd term (60 credits)

Dissertation (15,000 words)

Programme information

The programme can be taken full-time over one year

or part-time.

Entry requirements

Potential applicants are expected to have a first or

upper second-class Honours degree in a relevant

discipline (e.g. Environmental Science, Geography,

Oceanography, Biology, Chemistry or Engineering)

from a UK university or an overseas qualification of

an equivalent standard. Applicants with relevant

professional experience in aquatic science or

environmental management will also be considered.

Funding

For funding details please visit

www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships

How to apply

Contact the Graduate Admissions Assistant

(masters@geog.ucl.ac.uk) to request a Graduate

Application Pack.

Application materials may also be downloaded at

www.ucl.ac.uk/admission/graduate-study/application-admission/

Further information

Academic enquiries may be addressed to

aquatic@geog.ucl.ac.uk

Further information is available at:

www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/aquatic

Lecturing staff include Jan AxmacherHelen BennionHelene BurninghamChris CurtisSophie des ClersJon FrenchPeter JonesJonathan HolmesAnson MackayCarl SayerSam RandallsRichard TaylorJulian Thompson