The MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Candidates for the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management must normally meet one of the following criteria:

1. Students should possess a primary degree to upper second honours
(2h1) level (240 ECTS credits or equivalent) from a recognized third-level institution, in Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Oceanography, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or a related discipline. Applications will also be considered from graduates in other disciplines, including those in the Arts or Social Sciences, who have a demonstrable interest and/or experience in coastal and marine management, and who can offer sufficient numerical abilities.

2. A primary degree (240 ECTS credits or equivalent) of at least lower second class honours (2h2) grade, or its equivalent, in a cognate area as in 1 above, plus at least 5 years experience in a relevant maritime industry (applied) as approved by the Director of the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management on a case by case basis.

Additionally, students whose native language is not English must provide evidence of competence in both written and spoken English, according to standard criteria set out by the UCC International Education Office (IELTS overall score of 6.5 or above, and a score of no lower than 6.0 in each category).

The programme Director and/or Board must approve candidates. The number of places is limited, and applications will be considered and decided on as they are received, from when PAC opens (normally in January). Selection will be based on academic achievement, relevant work experience and a personal statement from the applicant.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part 1
BL6021 Introduction to Coastal Biology and Marine Ecosystems (5 credits)
GG6501 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (5 credits)
GG6502 Introduction to Remote Sensing (5 credits)
GG6510 Research Methods (5 credits)
GG6512 Coastal and Marine Resource Use Practices (15 credits)
GG6513 Coastal and Marine Governance (10 credits)
GG6515 Coastal and Marine Survey Techniques (5 credits)
GG6516 Coastal and Marine Processes (10 credits)

Part 2
GG6514 Research Dissertation in Applied Coastal and Marine Management (30 credits)

Each candidate progressing to Part 2 of the programme must submit the research project (GG6514) in an area of Applied Coastal and Marine Management by 4.00pm on the Friday of the third week in September in the academic year of registration for the programme. Independent research projects can be carried out on the main university campus, through the Programme and other linked University Staff; or, with support from relevant Research Staff, within the commercially-focussed environment of the Beaufort Laboratory in Ringaskiddy. Other commercial and practitioner placements with relevant coastal and marine-focussed industries, semi-state bodies and government will be considered, as appropriate to project proposals submitted by students.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Coastal and Marine Management (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who successfully complete Part 1 may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Coastal and Marine Management.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply theoretical principles and concepts that underpin management of coastal and marine spaces;
• Critically assess the causes and outcomes of natural or anthropogenic changes in coastal and marine environments, their interactions, and their possible impacts on the natural environment and on human societies.
• Work with coastal and marine scientific data originating in a range of scientific disciplines (physics, biology, geology, oceanography, etc.), and integrate these for use in decision-making and formulation of management policies;
• Implement and integrate a variety of information technologies and methods, including computational analysis, fieldwork, numerical modelling and computer programming, using appropriate software packages, in order to address the information needs and demands of applied coastal and marine management and decision-making;
• Demonstrate awareness of issues of national and international good practice, and understand key policies, strategies and infrastructures that apply to the effective and sustainable use of coastal and marine spaces, and the implications of their use for society at large;
• Apply these skills to real-world problems, through completion of a dissertation based on directed research.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Coastal and Marine Management (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply theoretical principles and concepts that underpin management of coastal and marine spaces;
• Critically assess the causes and outcomes of natural or anthropogenic changes in coastal and marine environments, their interactions, and their possible impacts on the natural environment and on human societies.
• Work with coastal and marine scientific data originating in a range of scientific disciplines (physics, biology, geology, oceanography, etc.), and integrate these for use in decision-making and formulation of management policies;
• Implement and integrate a variety of information technologies and methods, including computational analysis, fieldwork, numerical modelling and computer programming, using appropriate software packages, in order to address the information needs and demands of applied coastal and marine management and decision-making;
• Demonstrate awareness of issues of national and international good practice, and understand key policies, strategies and infrastructures that apply to the effective and sustainable use of coastal and marine spaces, and the implications of their use for society at large.