MSc in Environmental Pollution

at University of Reading

Our MSc Environmental Pollution will give you a thorough understanding of the principles of environmental science and develop skills applicable to a career in environmental consultancy, contaminated land and waste management.

Participate in exciting fieldwork and research projects and take core options dedicated to providing a solid understanding of the science behind the environment and the impact of pollution.

You will benefit from our custom-designed building with specialised research facilities, including laboratories and instrumentation for work in molecular ecology and biochemistry, environmental chemistry, physics and stable and radioisotopes. You will have access to superb controlled environment facilities, a large area of experimental polytunnels and glasshouses and extensive opportunities for fieldwork at our experimental farms.

Coursework assessments are designed to reflect the outputs of industry, ensuring you develop skills which are desired by employers and are well-prepared for your career. These skills include:

• those required in the lab, including sample analysis, such as analysis of organic and inorganic pollutants in soil and water, analysis of environmental microorganisms and their activities

• those required for field work, such as sampling strategy, sample collection, how to design, monitor and statistically analyse an experiment/campaign/project

• drafting policy briefings and tenders

• producing and presenting consultancy reports

• oral presentations

• using GIS to represent spatial data

• implementing and interpreting models

The course includes a dedicated, free-of-charge residential field class that provides the opportunity to put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience of contaminated site investigation and present your findings to an expert panel, made up of a mixture of clients from industry and academics.