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2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MSc River Basin Dynamics and Management with GIS

Programme code:MSC-RBDM/GISUCAS code:
Duration:12 Months Method of Attendance: Full Time
Programme manager:Dr Paul Kay Contact address:p.kay@leeds.ac.uk

There is also a part time version of this programme available which runs over 2 years

Total credits: 180

Entry requirements:

Normally at least a good second class honours degree in an appropriate subject (e.g. Geography, Geology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Management or related disciplines). Suitable equivalent qualifications would be considered for overseas/mature students, especially those with relevant work experience.

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

Geography

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

(b) School of Geography Taught Postgraduate Examinations Board

Professional Body Offering Accreditation:

CIWEM

Programme specification:

River basins are of fundamental importance to the world’s population, and industry and academia throughout the world demand research training in water dynamics and management. The University of Leeds has a world-class reputation for water-related research and for GIS development in a environmental context and this MSc programme builds on this success.

This River Basin Dynamics and Management with GIS program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental management (CIWEM). This makes this program distinct from most of its competitors and the CIWEM feedback is that we have a well-rounded and holistic program that also makes it distinct from competitors.

Overall, the program for those persons wishing to advance their skills and career options in river basin processes and management. The important core components of the program are river basin hydrology and basic environmental GIS. Students choosing a RB pathway will further gain advanced knowledge and skills in channel hydraulics and sediment transport, river ecology and environmental assessment. Students choosing a GIS pathway will further gain advanced knowledge and skills in GIS for environment, GIS programming and digital image analysis and remote sensing.

Many students on the course have first degrees in subjects such as geography, environmental science, engineering or earth sciences. However, the course is also suitable for people who want to change their career direction or who want to reinforce their career with GIS capability. For example if you have previously studied a different subject such as maths, chemistry, or biology or have been in industry for a number of years, you would still be welcomed onto the course and can use it as a way opening up new career prospects.

The course advocates ‘learning by doing’. It is highly practical, is assessed 100% by coursework and we receive guest lecturers from business, industry and other academic institutions. We visit several work places. We conduct a whole series of field and laboratory and PC-based practicals. We have a Professional Development module.

The programme will:
The MSc River Basin Dynamics and Management with GIS programme will provide:
i) Advanced pure and applied education and training in key modern and developing fields of river basin dynamics and management including industrial, laboratory and field techniques and policy;
ii) Pure and applied education in GIS for managing, analysing and mapping water and environmental data, with opportunities for study at an advanced level;
iii) Pure and applied education in river basin processes and the linkages between river basin characteristics, natural and anthropogenic environmental change, river behaviour and water, sediment and contaminant fluxes, with opportunities for study at an advanced level;
iv) A detailed understanding of the principles of water resource management;
v) An appreciation of the institutional and legal frameworks impacting on river basin management;
vi) An ability to formulate important research questions and design methodological approaches for answering these questions;
vii) A high level of quantitative analyses skills including GIS, statistical presentation and numerical modelling;
viii) A range of transferable, marketable skills required to obtain employment in river basin processes and management or to pursue a career in research and education


Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

GEOG5052MEnvironmental Data Visualisation & Analysis15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
GEOG5230MProfessional Development15 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
GEOG5285MDissertation60 credits1 Jan to 31 Aug
GEOG5670MIssues and Skills for River Basin Dynamics and Management30 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
GEOG5680MHydrological Processes and Analysis15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 45 credits from the following optional modules, with permission to select up to a maximum of 15 credits from other Schools within the University.

GEOG5060MGIS and Environment15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG5530MRiver basin management for water quality15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG5710MDigital Image Processing for Environmental Remote Sensing15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
GEOG5830MEnvironmental Assessment15 creditsNot running in 202122
GEOG5990MProgramming for Geographical Information Analysis: Core Skills15 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

With permission from the Programme manager, students may select up to a maximum of 30 credits of optional modules with modules available from other Schools within the University.

Students may substitute up to 15 credits of optional modules with elective modules that are complimentary to the programme without permission from the programme manager

Students may substitute up to 30 credits of optional modules with elective modules only WITH permission from the programme manager.

Last updated: 07/09/2021 15:40:46

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