Environmental Science and Climate – BSc

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

This module aims to develop the personal and professional skills of students to prepare to effectively negotiate and navigate 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 also focuses on the students study and academic writing skills as required for 3rd level.

This module will explore the historical, policy and practical context of sustainable development as a contested concept. It will introduce the principles of sustainable development, while using case studies to explore their practical application of sustainable development in action.

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 laboratory skills module.

The key global issue emerging in recent years is the overwhelming impact of humanity on the environment and climate, and how the consequences of environmental and climate change are altering the planet and driving change and disruption in society. This module will introduce students to the key climate patterns and processes to understand the rate, and main causes of, climate change over time, including the atmosphere and subsystem regulars. The module will also introduce the concept of interconnectedness of climate, environment and human activity.

Implementing good laboratory techniques and analytical measurement with emphasis on Health and Safety

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.

The aim of this module is to provide learners with an appreciation of the diversity of living organisms and their importance in providing ecosystem services. The module provides basic scientific knowledge in biology and botany, focused on application to agriculture and environmental management. It begins the development of botanical field skills. The module is complimented by the practical work in the Introduction to Laboratory Practice and Measurement / Applied Environmental Science modules.

The aim of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of how land use plays a key role in climate change and how decisions about how land is used are crucial in identifying sustainable ways to mitigate against climate change.

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

This module will provide students with an introduction to basic economic concepts, while alternative development paradigms and the global nature of economic and sustainable development will also be studied.

This module will discuss the principles of environmental management with an introduction to terms mitigation and adaptation approaches to climate change. The PDCA approach to management will be addressed. The core fundamentals of what needs to be management within urban,peri-urban, rural, terrestrial including coastal, aquatic and marine habitats will be discussed. Concepts of baseline measurement will be outlined. Climate challenges on these habitats will be outlined such as coastal erosion, pollution, floods and droughts. The management of manmade, semi- natural and natural habitats will be outlined. Reduction of emissions and proper waste management will be outlined. Mitigation measures including solutions from nature such as permaculture design approaches will be discussed such as buffer zones citizen science and environmental stewardship initiatives. 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. The students will also study Thurles campus as a living laboratory examining what is present in terms of elements and functions and habitats within a permaculture design.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to understand the key concepts and principles of ecology and biological evolution while identifying the role of ecology in conservation management.

This module engages learners with environmental management and health and safety management in organisational settings. These two topics are complimentary, as workplace responsibilities for environmental management and health and safety management are often combined into one role (such as EHS Officer) due to sharing underlying principles. The module draws on the learners’ own experiences of workplace health and safety. The content on EMS uses a case study approach for part of the teaching and for the assessment. The practical experience of TUS Thurles in achieving Green Flag status informs the module.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the practical skills to plan, prepare and work competently in the field. Understand and evaluate health and safety and risks associated wit field work in remote and urban environments. It gives students the transferable skills in field work competency and risk assessment.

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.

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.

The aim of this module is to: Introduce historic and current conservation management concepts in the context of climate change relevant to biodiversity. Outline the fundamentals of biodiversity management approaches concerning, species and ecosystems, to enable students to gain an understanding of current practical nature conservation concepts, and to outline guidelines for protecting and managing biodiversity sustainably in a changing climate. Provide an overview of the key conservation designations at local regional, national and EU scale. Introduce students to emerging key climate issues and climate mitigation practices in the context of conservation and biodiversity management.

This module is aimed at providing learners with the ability to use Geographic Information Systems as a means of investigating the environment as well as assessing potential environmental impacts. Through the module, learners will be able to develop skills in a range of mapping techniques.

The aim of this module is to provide student with practical field research skills and techniques, and develop these to meet industry requirements for field research and monitoring. It gives students the transferable skills in practical fieldwork and provides an introduction to species identification, recording and monitoring methodologies in upland, lowland and wetland environments.

This module will develop participants skills to successfully engage in teamwork. The module introduces the theory of teams and group work and builds on this to develop the skills and capacity of students to engage purposively in team work. The module draws from theories in social psychology as well as management and organisation behaviour. The module will focus on the skills of: planning, 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 It builds on the work of the students in group processes eg. PBL projects. It aims to develop the students’ awareness of team and practice of working in teams. It aims to develop the skills to manage and lead groups in a professional context through the achievement of set group tasks.The module links the theory and practice through a practical team based project.

The module will explore the United Nations (UN) agenda for the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that runs from 2015 to 2030. The agenda includes 17 goals that together aim to end poverty, combat climate change and deliver environmental sustainability. Learners will study the background and consider the challenges of achieving the global goals in a divergent and unequal world. Achieving sustainable development through the pursuit of the goals will be considered in different regions and at different scales, this will include consideration of policy spheres, infrastructures, business and everyday lives.The relevance and application of the SDGs in Ireland will be considered through case studies.

This module examines the principles of environmental auditing and the steps involved in conducting an audit. The structure of an Energy Management System is examined, followed by consideration of the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals in organisations. The module uses real data from the TUS Thurles and Clonmel campuses where possible, linking the module to the Green-Campus initiative and the strategic focus of the Thurles campus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to develop a critical appreciation of the physical aspects of surface water and groundwater.

The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of water quality and the pressures that impact on water quality and quantity. It will highlight the management strategies that are implemented to protect water quality. The module will examine the tools in place to manage water consumption. The module will also provide students with a competence in water analysis.

This module will provide students with a sound understanding of fundamental water resources issues including local, regional, national and international policy and practice. Students will develop competencies in hydrological principles and water management practices which are used to address current challenges in areas such as water depletion, climate change and deforestation.

This module will provide learners with an understanding of the Irish Planning System with particular emphasis on the interactions between landuse practices and environmental impacts.

The module builds on the Professional skills introduced in Year 1 and in this module students will develop their personal and professional skills to allow them to be effective in the workplace. The module introduces students to the concept of professionalism, ethical behaviour and customer service skills. The module covers job search, cv preparation and interview skills for students and maintaining an on-line presence for long term development. This module will provide guidance for the Placement experience which students are undertaking after this semester.

To make informed decisions in environmental science and about climate change action, one must be skilled in finding and assessing good quality information. This module will enable you to begin to practice necessary research skills to prepare you for undertaking your own research projects and particularly a dissertation in year four. The communication and presentation of environmental and climate science research and data is recognised as important skills across may sectors, in order to effectively communicate with scientific and non‑scientific audiences. Research Techniques and data communication skills are transferable to a variety of environmental and other employment sectors.

This module is aimed at providing learners with the ability to use a variety of relevant Geographic Information System packages as a means of undertaking detailed environmental analysis

This module involves the learner undertaking a work placement of at least 500 hours with an TUS approved company or organisation. The learner will gain valuable work experience in the environmental sector. Likely placements will be in private and public sector, including environmental consultancy companies, conservation agencies and the agri-food sector and Government organisations such as the EPA, research bodies and state agencies etc. In this module, learners will demonstrate that they have gained knowledge and acquired relevant skills during their work placement. Through a literature review, comprehensive report, logbook and presentation, learners will show that they have developed an understanding of their specific industry or organisation, enhanced their professional and technical skills and that they can relate these skills back to modules they have studied.