Program Overview

Postgraduate Diploma in Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Assessment

The Postgraduate Diploma in Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Assessment is a part-time, online program designed to provide existing or future water professionals with the necessary knowledge to design and implement freshwater quality monitoring programs and to assess water quality.

Course Outline

The program covers rivers, lakes, and groundwaters in detail and includes options to study biological and ecological methods, the use of particulate material in monitoring, and a field module during the second year. To be eligible to transfer to the MSc in Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Assessment, a student must obtain a pass mark of at least 40% in each taught module and an aggregated mark of at least 50% across the 60 credits from Years 1 and 2.

Year 1 (30 credits)

• EV6001: Monitoring Programme Design for Freshwater Bodies
• EV6002: Quality Assurance in Water Quality Monitoring Programmes
• EV6003: Data Handling and Presentation for Water Quality Monitoring Programmes

Year 2: Specialised Modules (30 credits)

Two compulsory modules:

• EV6005: Monitoring and Assessment of Surface Waters
• EV6007: Monitoring and Assessment of Groundwater And any two of the following:
• EV6004: Water Quality Monitoring in the Field (field course abroad or in Ireland)
• EV6008: Water Quality Monitoring using Biological and Ecological Methods
• EV6009: Water Quality Monitoring with Particulate Material

Course Practicalities

Teaching will be online, with each module running for 16 weeks (10 credits) or 8 weeks (5 credits), except for the one-week, full-time optional field module EV6004. This module enables students to gain experience in practical freshwater quality monitoring methods. Students are expected to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week of study effort per module, with about 6 hours of online engagement. Students will need access to a computer with an internet connection, a modern browser, word processing, and spreadsheet software.

Why Choose This Course

This unique online program is designed to meet the needs for more sustainable management of freshwater resources, supporting countries aiming to meet the targets of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal for water (SDG 6). The program will facilitate the advancement of expertise contributing to more sustainable management of water resources.

Skills and Careers Information

The Postgraduate Diploma is designed to give students a strong foundation in all aspects of water quality monitoring and assessment, equipping them to work in water quality management in public or private sectors. The program will be of particular benefit for career advancement of employees already working in the water quality sector.

Requirements

• Applicants must have a BSc in Environmental Science or a cognate discipline; or a relevant professional qualification; or a portfolio of work and experience in the area of freshwater quality monitoring.
• Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), applicants without a BSc will be judged on a case-by-case basis as to their suitability for the program.
• All applicants must have a sufficient level of English, with an IELTS of 6.5 (or TOEFL equivalent) and no less than 6.0 in each individual category.

Fees and Costs

See the Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information. Deposits are non-refundable in all cases.

How to Apply

1. Check dates for the application process.
2. Gather supporting documents, including original qualification documents and transcripts.
3. Apply online, uploading scanned copies of supporting documents and paying the non-refundable 50 application fee.