Environmental & Geographical Sciences – Bsc (honours) in Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland

Environmental & Geographical Sciences – Bsc (honours) in Limerick Institute of Technology

What is the programme about?

This programme covers a broad range of topics aimed at addressing key environmental concerns. Students will have the opportunity to explore the linkage between the science and the management of the environment and will develop an in-depth scientific knowledge of the earth’s systems, namely the biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and the atmosphere. New approaches to balancing the needs of the environment, economy and society in moving towards long term sustainability are a key focus for the programme.

There is lots of practical lab work, field work, field trips and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) sessions. Subjects on professional development are also included – soft skills that are much sought after by employers. A work placement during the summer of third year provides students with a valuable opportunity to gain experience in the increasingly important environmental sector. A dissertation in fourth year allows students to specialise and follow their own research interests.

Who is the programme suited to?

​Do you like to explore the wonders of environmental science and the great outdoors? Do the challenges of protecting the environment interest you? Are you studying subjects such as biology, geography, agricultural science or chemistry at school? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this may be the programme for you!

Programme Aims:

​One of the key aims of the programme is to provide students with the opportunity to explore the linkage between the science and management of the environment. In order to achieve this, the programme has been structured to ensure that students get an in-depth scientific knowledge of the earth’s systems, namely the biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and the atmosphere. Simultaneously, students will develop practical competencies to allow them to carry out research on the environment, whether in the laboratory, in the field or in the library. A three month work placement during the summer of third year provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain experience in the environmental sector and help them identify career options for the future.​

Top 3 Reasons

1 The course covers a wide range of environmental topics in a practical and active way and thereby opens up a diversity of career and further study opportunities.
2 You will have ongoing and regular access to a team of lecturers with relevant and up- to-date sectoral experience. 
3 Current students enjoy the supportive, friendly and positive atmosphere in class and on the Thurles Campus.

Class Contact Hours

• Year 1 = 21 hours
• Year 2 = 21 hours
• Year 3 = 19 hours
• Year 4 = 15 hours

Did You Know?

Many countries, including Ireland, are looking to green growth as the way out of the current economic crisis. A range of reports suggest that there is the potential to create over 80,000 jobs in the ‘Green Economy’ (Developing the Green Economy in Ireland, 2009). There are currently at least 6,500 people employed directly in the environment sector in Ireland and the potential to create over 50,000 direct jobs by 2020(Forfás, 2009).

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What our students say about the course

“This course is giving me the chance to explore modern challenges like climate change, peak oil and biodiversity loss while equipping me with solid, practical skills in the lab and the field. It also has a good balance of focus between local and global issues: one day I'm learning about sustainable forestry in the Philippines, the next it's glaciers, then hen harriers. The fun part is linking them all together.” Hannah Hamilton (3rd Year student)
“This course has allowed me to develop knowledge and practical skills on a wide range of modern environmental issues. As part of my work placement last summer I got the chance to be involved in some research to identify the impacts walkers have on National Park trails. I am now using the data I collected to write a dissertation on the subject.” Mick Fleming (Graduate)

Jobs Include

Graduates are qualified for a wide range of roles including Environmental Officers / Environmental Scientists with businesses, public sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or as Environmental Researchers and Consultants (for a list of Environmental Consultancies operating in Ireland click herehttp://databases.envirocentre.ie/EnvirocentreConsultancyWeb/consultantsList.aspx. 

Graduates of the programme are particularly suited to careers with any of the following: 

Private sector
 Environmental service providers (energy, waste, water)
 Environmental consultants
 Industry
 Business
 Self-employment

Public sector and State Agencies
 National Parks and Wildlife Service
 Local authorities 
 Marine Institute
 Energy agencies
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
 Government departments

Voluntary and Community sector
 Development organisations
 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Graduates of the Environmental & Natural Resource Management programme have been employed by a wide variety of organisations, including the following:

• ABP Food Group
• AECOM
• Alkermes Pharma
• ALS Environmental Services
• Arrabawn
• Bord na Móna
• Business in the Community
• C&F Wind
• Casey Technology
• CDM Smith
• Clearwater
• ECOS Environmental Consultants
• Eirgen
• Enviroguide
• EPA (internship)
• Farm Relief Services
• Glenpatrick Spring Water
• Glenside Environmental
• Greenstar
• Inland Fisheries Ireland
• Johnson & Johnson
• Mallon Technology
• Marine Institute (internship)
• Meade Potato Company
• Queally Group
• Rangeland Foods
• Roadbridge UK
• Rosderra Irish Meats
• Southdowns Environmental Consultants, UK
• Stericycle Inc., USA
• Teagasc
• TMS Environment

There are a number of professional organisations that environmental students and graduates can join (e.g. the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland). There is a clear route for the future professional development of those working in the environmental sector, with the potential to achieve Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status.

​​Graduate Profile

Martina Cripps 

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental and Natural Resource Management Employed by ECOS Environmental Consultants Limited.

I graduated from LIT Thurles with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Environmental and Natural Recourse Management. 

The course equipped me with a broad range of skills not only from an environmental perspective but also from a business and project management perspective. I am currently working as an Environmental Scientist for an Environmental Consultant based in Limerick. I work on a broad range of projects primarily relating water, waste and wastewater such as: Environmental Management, Impact and Assessment, Resource Management. 

Previous to this position, I carried out independent research on species of primary concern in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. As part of this research, I applied skills such as ecology and earth science, GIS, research techniques and field studies all of which I developed in my time studying at LIT Thurles. The modules covered during my time studying BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Natural Resources Management prepared for me for a career path in the environmental sector. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in pursuing a career in the environmental sector. 

Click to view source ​​

​​​​​Further Studies

Graduates are eligible to apply for a wide variety of national and international postgraduate programmes, and a number have now successfully completed Masters degrees in a range of topics. Possible areas of further study include environmental science, ecology, planning, geography, sustainable development and GIS. Opportunities are also available to undertake Research Masters and PhDs within the Department of Applied Science at LIT.

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