Course: MSc Environmental Bioscience in a Changing Climate

Humankind harnesses a multitude of natural resources for the provision of food, fibre, energy and recreation. Many of these resources have become overexploited with resulting impacts on global climate, agricultural production and biodiversity.

Global climate change in particular forces us to revise and revalue the way in which we manage our environment and there is an increasing demand for graduates who have skills and training in environmental bioscience.

This course will explore solutions for the sustainable provision of food, materials, energy and landscape in a changing global environment.

Students will look widely at our environment and at how global climate change is affecting primary biological systems. You will examine legislation, remediation and the problems facing environmental management.

You will learn to evaluate aspects of our global carbon footprint and will explore options for sustainable food and energy production. Through lectures and workshops you will explore modern approaches to adaptation driven by climate, consider the roles of biotechnology, low input and organic agriculture, biorefining and study the importance of biodiversity and conservation.

You will also be introduced to the concepts of environmental accounting and the development of ecosystem services. You will take core and elective modules and complete a research project, dissertation or placement.

The University of Warwick has unique facilities for supporting interdisciplinary postgraduate training. Parts of the course will be taught in the departments of Law, Politics and in Biological Science.

Career Opportunities
This MSc prepares graduates for career paths in academic research in a wide range of public and commercial enterprises, government agencies, policy development and consultancy.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Evaluate the impacts of climate change, locally and globally
• Evaluate the role of environmental bioscience in the carbon economy
• Understand the contribution organic and low input systems can play in agricultural food production and how to respond to new and emerging pests and diseases
• Understand and critically evaluate environmental accounting, environmental regulation and ecosystem service provision
• Understand the factors improving soil, air and water quality and recognise their roles in fresh food production and society values
• Appreciate the role of environmental law and regulation in achieving environmental goals