River Environments and their Management MSc

Program Overview

The River Environments and their Management MSc at the University of Birmingham equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful river environmental management careers. Through a combination of lectures, fieldwork, and research, the program explores the interactions between climate, hydrology, ecology, and geomorphology, enabling graduates to understand and address river system challenges. The program emphasizes the practical application of environmental analysis, modeling, and restoration techniques, preparing students for roles in water management, research, and consultancy.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The River Environments and their Management MSc is a postgraduate masters course offered by the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. It is taught by a team of internationally leading water scientists and developed with input from the water industry. The course aims to provide students with the necessary training and skills for a career in the successful environmental management of rivers.

Objectives:

The course examines the interactions between climate, hydrology, geomorphology, ecology, biogeochemical cycling, water and habitat quality, and biodiversity. It aims to provide students with a holistic understanding of how river systems are structured and function, and how these systems have been altered by anthropogenic activities.

Program Description:

The program uses a combination of lectures, fieldwork, tutorials, laboratory classes, group projects, and an individual research-based thesis to provide students with the necessary training and skills for a career in the successful environmental management of rivers. It covers techniques on assessing the status of rivers and approaches to rehabilitate and restore the condition of these globally threatened environments. The program also includes training in legislation that drives the environmental management of rivers worldwide.

Outline:

Modules:

• Environmental analysis and modelling
• Quantitative Analysis of Hydrological Processes
• Advances in Water Science and River Management
• River Ecology: Theory and Practice
• Hydrogeomorphology and Catchment Management
• River Habitats and Biogeochemistry Assessment and Monitoring
• Dissertation

Module Descriptions:

• Environmental analysis and modelling: This module covers the principles and techniques of environmental analysis and modelling, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Quantitative Analysis of Hydrological Processes: This module focuses on the quantitative analysis of hydrological processes, including rainfall-runoff relationships, streamflow analysis, and water balance calculations.
• Advances in Water Science and River Management: This module explores the latest advances in water science and river management, including new technologies, research findings, and policy developments.
• River Ecology: Theory and Practice: This module examines the ecological principles and practices of river management, including habitat restoration, water quality management, and biodiversity conservation.
• Hydrogeomorphology and Catchment Management: This module focuses on the interactions between hydrology, geomorphology, and catchment management, including the impacts of land use change, water abstraction, and climate change on river systems.
• River Habitats and Biogeochemistry Assessment and Monitoring: This module covers the assessment and monitoring of river habitats and biogeochemistry, including the use of biological indicators, chemical analysis, and remote sensing techniques.
• Dissertation: This module involves the completion of an individual research-based dissertation on a topic related to river environments and their management.

Assessment:

• Written examinations on the lecture material
• Reports on the project work
• Essays and presentations
• Seminar contributions
• In-class tests for practical skills
• Workbooks for computer-based skills
• Individual dissertation

Teaching:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Laboratory classes
• Fieldwork
• Seminars by external lecturers
• Seminars by course participants
• Computing and practical projects
• Group management projects
• Industrially related projects

Careers:

• Water management
• River environmental management
• Consultancy
• Research
• Government departments
• Environmental consultants and regulators
• Water authorities and companies
• Consultants and contractors

Potential Employers:

• Birmingham City Council
• The Environment Agency
• W. S. Atkins Consultant Engineers
• OFWAT
• North West Water Ltd
• Severn Trent Water Ltd
• Northumbrian Lyonnaise Technology and Research Centre
• CES
• The Institute of Hydrology
• HR Wallingford
• Haswell Consulting Engineers
• Halcrow (UK)
• Bechtel Water
• South Staffordshire Water Company
• Hyder Consulting
• Anglian Water Services
• Water Management Consultants
• Posford Duvivier
• Jeremy Benn Associates
• Southern Water
• Thames Water
• Peter Brett Associates
• Montgomery Watson
• Mott Macdonald
• Royal Haskoning
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Sir Alexander Gibb and Ptnrs Ltd
• Yorkshire Water

Other:

• The course is of considerable value if you wish to pursue a career in the river environmental management field or the water industry.
• It also provides advanced level training if you wish to progress on to a PhD.
• The integrated approach to the water cycle with a river environmental management emphasis is of particular importance in achieving the aim of giving you the ability to attain senior management positions in water authorities and companies, environmental consultants and regulators, government departments, consultants and contractors.
• The University of Birmingham is well recognised for its extensive research on climate and environmental change.
• The course provides a wide range of aspects about rivers, from fluvial geomorphology to biogeochemistry.
• The academic board has a strong network to research agencies and industries through the alumni.