This module investigates the effects of anthropogenic activities on water resources and explores the various measures that are used to control water pollution problems (including the regulatory framework). Treatment processes at water and wastewater treatment plants are covered together with practical calculations for the design and operation of these plants.

1. Communicate the environmental impact of specified anthropogenic activities on selected waterbodytypes..

2. Describe and differentiate between the impact of discharging specified pollutants to a waterbody.

3. Demonstrate an applied knowledge and understanding of salient areas of legislation related to water and wastewater quality, including the major obligations/provisions of the main Irish environmental Acts and S.I.s.

4. Describe and evaluate the usefulness of various water quality managment tools/measuresused to protect water resources
5. Scrutinise the roles of stakeholders involved in water resources
6. Describe and differentiate between the unit processes used within water and wastewater treatment plants and perform practical calculations relating to theoperation of these systems.

This Module explores the characteristics of polluted air and investigates the effect that anthropogenic activities have on the pollution cycle. Practical air pollution assessment and the various control mechanisms that may be applied are investigated. This Module also reviews the theory of noise, its effects in the environment, monitoring and noise control. Learners will conduct a noise survey and interpret results. The regulatory context is also explored.

1. Explain the main sources and impacts of environmental noise related problems using the appropriate terms and units of measure.

2. Explain the main sources of air emissions and their impacts using the appropriate terms and units of measure.

3. Analyse data, using appropriate calculations where necessary, and identify and evaluate issues (including technical, compliance and socio economic) arising from the analysis assess.

4. Design a sampling/analysis methodology to meet the requirements of an investigative monitoring programme.

5. Plan and conduct a monitoring survey and report appropriate technical information regarding such investigation(s).

6. Distinguish between the various air quality management tools used to protect air quality .

7. Evaluate and propose solutions in relation to the management of environmental air and noise problems and justify selections.

8. Demonstrate an applied knowledge and understanding of pertinent areas of legislation.

This module describes living and non‑living components of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems which are used to interpret the human impact on ecological systems at both local, national and international levels. It will provide the student with a deeper understanding of the role ecological processes play in regulating and managing the earth's resources. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of the ecological value of systems provided by natural capital and the earth's ecosystem services.

1. Evaluate the facts, concepts and principles associated with geological andedaphic environmental processes.

2. Evaluate and interpret the fundamentals and interactionsof a broad range of natural ecosystems (e.g. terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems and habitats)

3. Devise and executean independent assessment of environmental impacts associated with anthropogenic activities and pollution pathways in a natural ecosystem (e.g. river system, peatland,coastal sand dune system)

4. Apply concepts and skills to interpret potential and actual disturbances to ecosystems on both local and global scales

5. Appraise current key issues impacting on ecosystems at a global level

6. Appraise and evaluate the application of current and proposed environmental legislation in the management of environmental systems

This module requires the learner to pursue research on an appropriate topic in environmental science/management, integrate research findings and articulate the key considerations of the specific investigation. Learners must have achieved a merit or greater in Environmental Protection before progressing to this 30 Credit module.

This module provides information on Research Methods with presentations on the following areas: Defining the Research Question; Sections/Chapters of the Dissertation, Literature review and Library Resources; Research Methodologies and Data Interpretation and Analysis.

1. Identify, conceptualise, formulate and communicate a research proposal for a specific environmental science/management topic.
2. Complete a programme of work requiring sustained effort with the objective of developing critical abilities in analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
3. Identify the objectives of the study, formulate an appropriate methodology and review the literature relevant to the study.
4. Collect, collate and analyse relevant data, using statistical tests as appropriate.

5. Evaluate and synthesise the main findings of the study and develop appropriate recommendations and conclusions and present this information in Presentations, Draft Reports and final Dissertation document.

6. Manage a personal learning process, demonstrate monitoring and revision procedures through the development of the dissertation and recognise the information and resource requirements of the study.
7. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the standard scientific research processes, including study of assigned research guidance documents, review of published peer-reviewed scientific papers relating to water and wastewater services and statistical analysis of assigned scientific data.