Course Type: Postgraduate (taught)
Training Provider: University of Glasgow
School/Institute/Dept./Centre: Centre for Development Studies (CDS)

The programme of study leading to the degree of MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development is designed for:

1. those intending to pursue careers as managers of environmental projects;
2. the professional planning staff of Ministries concerned with the design and implementation of environmental policies (especially in developing countries);
3. those working in this subject area in international agencies or academic and research institutes.

The Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development places less emphasis on research training than does the MSc programme, but will, nonetheless, provide a thorough grounding in the policy issues and techniques of analysis in this area, and will be appropriate for a range of career options in the environment and sustainable development field.

Programme structure

Students take four core courses and select two courses modules from the list below. MSc candidates also write a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation. Students are required to attend a course on research methodology in preparation for writing the dissertation.

Core courses

Development Policy
This courses analyses some of the main social and developmental problems facing less developed countries and examines possible policy responses. Four main sets of problems are considered. The course looks first at poverty and income distribution and goes on to consider population growth and education. A third part of the course deals with rural-urban migration and poses the question why this should continue even though migrants often find at best poorly paid jobs in the cities to which they go. The course ends with a series of lectures on financial development and policies to build financial institutions. Throughout, the course attempts to provide a basis for formulating alternative policy responses and encourage an understanding of the limitations of different policies along with the importance of specific country conditions.

Environmental Economics
This course concentrates on environmental economics and its application to developing countries. It begins with an introduction to environmental valuation methods and their use in environmental cost-benefit analysis for project and policy appraisal. It then covers the issues of growth, development and the environment; trade and the environment; and the economics of pollution control.

Theory and Principles of Sustainability
Economic activity takes place within the confines of the environment and it is now increasingly recognised that ecological constraints are starting to make themselves felt. This course explores the history of concerns over carrying capacity and various approaches to its measurement; the concept of sustainability and the relationship this has to the finite nature of our planet; feasibility and ecological coherence of conventional economic ideas of growth and some of the key insights from the physical sciences, specifically thermodynamics. In addition, it presents some of the formal economic models relating to the optimal use / depletion of natural resources and the basic economic theory relating to pollution externalities and the options for regulation

Policies for Sustainability and Development
This course familiarises students with the varying interpretations of ‘development’ and how these differ from ‘economic growth’. It explores the differing approaches to ‘greening’ conventional national income statistics; analyses the relative merits and problems of different policy approaches to the utilisation of key environmental resources; critically evaluates the key role of energy in the economic process and the potential roles of varying energy technologies particularly in the light of the ‘Stern Report’; and explores issues of appropriate governance in seeking sustainable development.

Optional courses

• Basic Econometrics
• Growth and Development
• International Trade
• Money, Finance and Growth
• Project Planning, Appraisal and Implementation
• Quantitative Methods for Planning - Forecasting
• Advanced Econometrics
• Economic Appraisal of Development Projects
• Financial Institutions and Markets in Developing Countries
• Globalisation, Trade and Economic Development
• IMF, World Bank and Economic Growth
• Quantitative Methods for Planning - Optimal Decision Making
• Aid and Development
• Poverty: Concept, Analysis and Policies
• The Economics of Inequality and Deprivation

Students may also choose relevant options from other MSc Programmes subject to approval.

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Staff:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/economics/ourstaff/

Entry Requirements:
Applicants for MSc programmes will be expected to have at least an upper second class honours degree, or comparable non-UK degree. Normally, this should be a degree in economics or a joint degree containing a significant amount of economics, although in the case of the programme in Development Studies, an upper second class honours degree in an area of the social sciences is acceptable, while applicants for Environment and Sustainable Development should have the equivalent of an upper second class degree in a relevant field of study. Occasionally candidates with other qualifications and/or relevant work experience may also be admitted. Well-qualified applicants who do not meet the requirements for MSc programmes may be accepted for a programme of study leading to the award of a postgraduate Diploma.

Course Duration:
MSc: 12 months (October-September) full-time, 24 months part-time. Diploma: 9months (October-June) full-time, 2*9 months over two sessions part-time.

Language(s) of Instruction:

• English

Mode of Study:

• residential

Thematic Focus:

• Development Economics
• Development Finance
• Development Studies
• Environmental Issues
• Globalisation
• Governance
• Poverty Analysis
• Project Planning
• Social Policy and Development
• :Other:

Country(ies):

• United Kingdom

Town(s) or City(ies):
Glasgow

Course fees:
Please see http://www.gla.ac.uk/registry/students/fees/feeindex.html for details.

Scholarships & Awards:
Please see http://www.gla.ac.uk/studying/scholarships/ for details.

Course's Webpage:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/centres/developmentstudies/postgraduatetaughtprogrammes/mscinenvironmentandsustainabledevelopment/