Streams

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Environmental Science

Introduction to Environmental Science
(10 ECTS)

Ecology and Earth Science
(10 ECTS)

Water Quality and Treatment
(10 ECTS)

Atmospherics (10 ECTS)

Applied Environmental Science

Applied Environmental Science
(10 ECTS)

Field Study Techniques (10 ECTS)

Research Techniques (10 ECTS)

Dissertation (10 ECTS)

Environmental Management and Policy

Rural Land Use and the Environment
(10 ECTS)

Conservation and Biodiversity (10 ECTS)

Water Resource Management (10 ECTS)

Climate and Sustainable Energy
(10 ECTS)

Environmental Management

Introduction to Environmental Management (10 ECTS)

Waste and Energy Management (10 ECTS)

Planning and the Environment (10 ECTS)

Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (10 ECTS)

Sustainable Development

Introduction to Sustainable Development (10 ECTS)

Environment and Sustainable Development (10 ECTS)

Work Placement
(10 ECTS)

Economy, Society and Sustainable Development (10 ECTS)

Personal & Professional Development

Personal Effectiveness (10 ECTS)

Applied Social Psychology in Group Work (10 ECTS)

Facilitation
(10 ECTS)

Organisations and Management (10 ECTS)

Year 1

Introduction to Environmental Science

The earth is made up of some key systems that provide us with the essentials of air, water, soil and plants that enable humans to survive. In order to manage these systems sustainably we must understand the science that underpins the environment. This module does just that, it explores the biology, chemistry and physics most pertinent to environmental management.

Applied Environmental Science

This is a practice module directly linked to the Introduction to Environmental Science module.  As in all science the production of new information is important in increasing our depth of understanding about what are often complex issues.  This module will help you develop the laboratory skills needed to produce data about water quality, soil properties and microbiology as well as the practical maths and statistics needed to analyse the data.

Rural Land Use and the Environment

Rural areas are particularly important and particularly vulnerable from an environmental point of view. They also contain a wide variety of land uses. In this module you will examine the various land-uses found in rural areas; some of the environmental impacts of the different land uses; and you will receive an introduction to some of the principal mechanisms used to manage these impacts.

Introduction to Environmental Management

One of the key pillars of sustainable development is sound environmental management. In very practical terms this module presents the principles of good environmental management and encourages you to look at your own home in relation to energy and waste management as well as providing the opportunity to get your hands dirty by practising some of the principles of permaculture (permanent agriculture) on the 45 acre Institute campus.

Introduction to Sustainable Development

Global issues of development are becoming increasingly complex.  Sustainable Development offers a framework to balance social, economic and environmental issues at global and local levels.  This module will encourage you to take a look at development issues from both a global and  local perspective. You will be introduced to the concept of links between the social, economic and environmental spheres of development activity.

Personal Effectiveness

This module will introduce students to the Personal and Professional stream across the four years of the programme.  It is designed to equip participants with an understanding of their own skills and capacities. Year one focuses on self-awareness and developing personal skills like goal setting, time management and stress management.  It also introduces students to group work and presentations. We aim to build students’ capacity to reflect and understand themselves and others so that they may fully realise their potential.

Year 2

Ecology and Earth Science

Biodiversity is the word that is used to refer to the number of plant and animal species that inhabit the earth or particular parts of it.  The larger the variety of plants and animals, the greater the resource that humans can use for food, oxygen, medicine, fuel, fibre and shelter.  The flora and fauna that create this biodiversity are intrinsically linked to the geology and soil that make up the earth’s crust.  This module explores the complex relationships between the elements that make up the geosphere and biosphere and helps you understand the science behind biological diversity.

Field Study Skills

This module develops the skills necessary to put the theory of Ecology and Earth Science into practice. Much of this module will be spent in the field developing skills in safe field work including sampling techniques, surveying, mapping, species identification and biological recording. In conjunction with these field skills, computer software including GIS will be introduced and used.

Conservation and Biodiversity Management

The management and policy aspects of biodiversity are examined in this module. European and Irish conservation policy is presented to provide the context for carrying out work and research in this field. The principles of good conservation practice and habitat management are also studied using modern case studies like the recent Donegal-based Golden Eagle reintroduction project and the Offaly Grey Partridge project.

Waste and Energy Management

The sustainable management of waste and energy are two of the most significant areas of environmental concern in modern Ireland.  In a time of unprecedented wealth, we have also experienced huge growth in the areas of waste generation and energy use. Households, communities, businesses and the government are looking for sound solutions to manage these areas effectively.   This module examines the latest environmental management systems from planning and implementation through to reporting.

Environment and Sustainable Development

Environmental issues are a key concern for us all and they present a major challenge for current economic and development thinking.  In this module you will examine the state of the environment and identify critical pressure areas such as climate change, food, population, water and energy issues.  The interrelationship between human activity and the environment will be considered and you will be challenged to measure and assess the impact of your personal lifestyle choices on the environment.

Applied Social Psychology in Group Work

Year 2 of the Personal and Professional stream will address the individual within the group context, enabling students to identify their strengths in a team.  It will build upon students’ understanding and experience of groups and enhance their self-awareness and ability to communicate, relate and work effectively with others. This course is 100% continuous assessment and is practical so that participants can experience, reflect and evaluate their role and contribution in groups in a real context.

Year 3

Water Quality and Treatment

Only 0.003% of the earth’s water is readily available freshwater.  An understanding of how water moves through the hydrological system provides us with the ability to understand how to manage this vital, fragile and limited resource. The quality of this freshwater and wastewater treatment processes are hugely important and this module examines in detail the science of the hydrological cycle and management of water for various purposes.

Research Techniques

New scientific information is being published every day. To make informed decisions about environmental management we must be skilled in finding and assessing good quality information.  This module will enable you to begin to practise vital research skills for both your study and academic work as well as preparing you for undertaking your own research projects and particularly a dissertation in year four.

Water Resource Management

The EU Water Framework Directive is one of the most important pieces of environmental policy of recent times. This module explores the implications of this directive for the management of Irish waters and the approaches that are being adopted to meet our obligations as set down by the EU. The Three Rivers Project (covering the Nore, Suir and Barrow), is one of the case studies that will be investigated.

Planning and the Environment

Land use planning is one of the principal tools for the management of the environmental impact of human activities. This is a highly controversial topic in Ireland and is technically and administratively complex. In this module you will examine and assess the various elements of the Irish land-use planning system, the implications of this system for environmental quality and the ways in which scientific and political perspectives interact.

Placement

The three month work placement is a key component of this degree programme as it calls upon the learner to bring the knowledge and skills developed in other modules into a real life work context. It provides an opportunity for you gain experience of working in the environment sector, in an area that holds particular interest for you.

Facilitation

Year 3 of the Personal and Professional stream will develop participants’ in-depth understanding of the theories of group work. It is a practical module with 100% continuous assessment.  It is designed to enable students to create and deliver training. Students will also learn how to lead and facilitate groups in a variety of settings.  It will also assist students to reflect on their practice and critically evaluate and self-reflect as part of the learning cycle. 

Year 4

Atmospherics

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to face society today. The recent findings of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) leaves no doubt as to the seriousness of the consequences of the unprecedented rapid changes in the earth’s atmosphere. This module provides a detailed exploration of the science of the atmosphere, air pollution and the complex phenomenon that is climate change.

Dissertation

This year four module provides the opportunity for you to plan and carry out a significant piece of independent research in an area of the environment that is of  particular interest to you.  The undertaking of this research will be a valuable learning tool in bringing together many dimensions of the programme and in providing a catalyst for you to consider future work or research in the area.

Climate and Sustainable Energy

The Atmospherics module explores the science of climate change while this module looks at some of the solutions that may contribute to curbing the extent of climate change in the future. This module will examine contemporary issues such as emissions trading, sustainable building and renewable energy as tools to manage our energy in a more sustainable fashion.

Environmental Modelling and Assessment

The tools for assessing the environmental impact of various activities are becoming increasingly sophisticated and applicable in the area of environmental management.  This module investigates the principles of environmental impact assessment and how modelling can be used to help us understand our current and future impacts on environmental resources.

Economy, Society and Sustainable Development

There are complex relationships between the nature of our economy, the society we live in and our environment.  These relationships exist at individual, community, national and global levels.  In this module you will explore this complex maze of linkages in an attempt to tease out the opportunities provided by a framework for sustainable development.  You will critically assess the usefulness of the concept and practice of sustainable development and consider its role in your own personal philosophy of development.

Organisations & Management

In this module you will learn about different types of organisations and their effective management.  You will consider financial aspects of organisations such as budgets, financial planning and how to read accounts as well as human resource management.  Project management will be also be addressed.