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Environmental Science - Higher Cert

Course Code: US469


Level

6

Duration

2 Years

Department

Applied Science


CAO Points

N/A

Course Type

Direct Entry

Location

Thurles

The Bachelor of Science programme consists of the first three years of programme LC408, which has been running in TUS Thurles campus since 2008. In the first two years of this Bachelor’s programme, students learn about ecology and conservation of the natural environment as well as how to manage resources like waste and energy in business.

There is lots of practical lab work, field work, field trips and computer skills sessions. Subjects on personal development are also included – valuable skills for the workplace. New approaches to balancing the needs of society and the economy with protection of the environment are investigated.

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants must have 5 O6/H7 grades or higher at Ordinary Level in 5 Leaving Certificate subjects. Two of these subjects must include Mathematics and a Language (English or Irish). 

Applicants presenting QQI FET/FETAC qualifications must hold a Full Level 5 Award totalling 120 Credits. 

Applicants presenting qualifications other than those mentioned above will be assessed on an individual basis. 

Mature Applicants (i.e. over 23) are exempt from the normal entry requirements. 

Who can I contact?

What modules will I study?

  • Year 1

    Title: Applied Environmental Science

    Credits: 10

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    The aim of the module is to provide students with skills in analytical techniques for analysing organic and inorganic components in the environment. It will ensure that students are competent to work safely in a laboratory environment using good laboratory practices. It will develop student skills in scientific writing and comprehension. This module will link with the Introduction to Environmental Science module to provide students with practical skills to enhance their learning.


    Title: Environmental Maths and Computing

    Credits: 5

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    The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and analyse data that they will encounter in their future environmental careers. It will also give them the computing skills needed to manipulate and present data and reports.


    Title: Introduction to Environmental Management

    Credits: 10

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    One of the key pillars of sustainable development is sound environmental management at every level; such as home, schools, industry. In very practical terms this module presents the principles of good environmental management and encourages the learner to look at their own home in relation to waste management.


    Title: Introduction to Environmental Science

    Credits: 10

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    The aim of this module is to provide learners with problem-solving skills and basic scientific knowledge focused on application to environmental and natural resource management. This module is complimented by the practical work in the Applied Environmental Science module.


    Title: Introduction to Sustainable Development

    Credits: 10

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    This module will explore the historical, policy and practical context of sustainable development as a contested concept. It will provide students with an introduction to basic economic concepts, while alternative development paradigms and the global nature of sustainable development will also be studied.


    Title: Professional Skills in Third Level

    Credits: 5

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    This module aims to develop the personal and Professional skills of students to prepare to effectively negotiate their academic and professional journey.

    This module introduces students to the principles of effective communication and to develop their personal awareness and develops their communication, team working and presentation skills. The module uses the framework of Emotional Intelligence in developing good customer relations and in creating effective client communication while also examining strategies for managing the challenge of working in interpersonal conflict situations. In addition the module focuses on the students study and academic writing skills as required for 3rd level.

    This module is very interactive and application based so an 80% attendance is required from students.


    Title: Rural Land Use & Environment

    Credits: 10

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    The aim of this module is to provide learners with an awareness of the nature of the principal land uses in Ireland and the interaction between these land uses and the quality of the environment.


  • Year 2

    Title: Conservation & BioGeography

    Credits: 5

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    The aim of this module is to:

    • Introduce the general concept and implementation of conservation and biodiversity management
    • Outline the fundamentals of biodiversity management approaches concerning genetic, species, and ecosystems, to enable students to reflect on nature conservation and resource management and to outline guidelines for protecting and managing biodiversity in a sustainable way.
    • Provide an overview of the current conservation designations at local regional, national and EU scale
    • Introduce students to current best practice in Conservation and Biodiversity management

    Title: Earth Science and Ecology

    Credits: 10

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    The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to develop a critical appreciation of the key concepts and principles of geology, geomorphology and ecology, the interlocking nature of these areas, and how they influence organisms including humans.


    Title: Environment & Sustainable Development

    Credits: 10

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    The module will review the current state of the environment at global and Irish levels and identify the major areas of concern which have arisen due to the impact of human activity. The complex relationships between the environment and society will also be explored, while approaches for sustainable development principles to be put into practice in order to address major areas of environmental concern will be identified.


    Title: Environmental Management Systems

    Credits: 10

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    This module engages learners in environmental management in an organisational setting, focusing on the themes of waste and energy. Skills in implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) are developed. The principles and practice of Health and Safety management are introduced.


    Title: Field Study Skills

    Credits: 10

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    The aim of this module is to provide students with the practical skills to work competently and safely in the field. It gives students the transferable skills in practical fieldwork and provides a general introduction to species identification, field surveying and geographical skills.


    Title: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems & Surveying

    Credits: 5

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    This module is aimed at introducing learners to the basic principles of Geographic Information Systems and of Surveying. The module will introduce learners to methods of accessing as well as mapping spatial data. The module will provide learners with opportunities to undertake surveys using basic surveying equipment and to digitize and map the survey outcomes.


    Title: Teamwork and Training

    Credits: 10

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    This module will develop participants skills to successfully engage in group processes. The module will focus on the skills of: motivation. communication, negotiation and managing conflict situations. It aims to develop the skills to manage and lead groups in a professional context through the achievement of set group tasks.

    This module aims to also develop the essential skills of designing and facilitating a training programme based on an assessment of needs for a client group.


Are there opportunities for further study?

Graduates can progress into the final year of the BSc level 7 course in Environmental Science.