The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) is a full-time programme running for 9 months or a part-time programme running for 18 months over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme. A full-time candidate may not, during the currency of the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Environmental and Natural Resources Law), simultaneously pursue any other form of education, training or employment, without the advance permission of the School of Law.

Full-time:
Students take 60 credits: core modules to the value of 40 credits and modules to the value of 20 credits from the list of elective modules offered.

Part-time:
Year 1: Students take 30 credits, including a minimum of 25 credits of core modules.
Year 2: Students take 30 credits, including any core modules not already taken in Year 1.

Core Modules
Students take core modules to the value of 40 credits as follows:
LW6581 Method in Environmental Law (5 credits)
LW6617 International Biodiversity and Ecosystems Law and Policy (5 credits)
LW6618 Climate Change Law and Policy (5 credits)
LW6627 International Environmental Law (5 credits)
LW6645 Marine Environmental and Natural Resources Law (10 credits)
LW6649 Environmental Law in Practice (10 credits)

Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 20 credits from the lists of elective modules set out below. Students must take at least 15 credits from List A. It may be that not all modules listed below will be offered each year and/or other options may become available.

List A
GG6501 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (5 credits)
GG6502 Introduction to Remote Sensing (5 credits)
LW6101 Introduction to Planning Law (5 credits)
LW6550 International Criminal Law (10 credits)
LW6566 Contemporary Issues in International Law (5 credits)
LW6606 International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
LW6619 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice (5 credits)
LW6620 Introduction to the Law of the Sea (10 credits)
LW6623 Global Maritime Security (5 credits)
LW6624 Port Law (5 credits)
LW6633 Public International Law (5 credits)
LW6634 Refugee and Forced Displacement Law (10 credits)
*LW6642 Environmental Law Clinic (10 credits)
LW6643 Negotiation and Mediation (10 credits)
LW6644 Managing Complex Disputes (10 credits)

* LW6642 Environmental Law Clinic cannot be selected without the prior approval of the Programme Director.

List B: Undergraduate Modules*
LW2216 Humanitarianism and the Law (5 credits)
LW3371 Sources and Foundations of Environmental Law (5 credits)
LW3372 Environmental Law: Contemporary Issues in Governance, Regulation and Enforcement (5 credits)

* Registration for these modules requires the permission of the Programme Director. Where appropriate, the Programme Director will identify, in consultation with the candidate, whether any undergraduate modules must be taken.

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

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

LLM (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) Degree
Candidates who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) may undertake the LLM (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) Degree.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Irish, European and International Environmental and natural Resources Law;
• Demonstrate an awareness of the particular relevance and significance of EU and International Law in this field;
• Critically evaluate primary and secondary legal materials of relevance to Environmental and Natural Resources Law, including legislation, international instruments, case-law and academic commentary;
• Identify and explore interconnections between disparate legal topics in the area of Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving legal problems in Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
• Demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking in relation to relevant legal issues;
• Connect changing values and sentiments in society with legal developments in respect of Environmental and Natural Resources Law;
• Formulate research questions and develop appropriate research methodologies;
• Undertake scholarly research exploring legal themes;
• Use information technology appropriately for high-level legal research and writing;
• Express complex legal and/or policy analysis in an appropriate legal style, in accordance with legal writing standards.