Starts: Annually in October
Duration: 18 months
Location: UNESCO-IHE, Delft, the Netherlands

The text below refers to the specialization within Environmental Science programme. Click here for the description of the specialization within the Water Management programme.

Context

Unsustainable management of water hampers the development of mankind and contributes to the unequal distribution of economic welfare. Pollution, depletion of water and disintegration of ecological functions are of global, regional and local concern. Considering the anticipated economic development and increase in standards of living in developing regions, these issues will become even more urgent in the future. Thus wise management of water resources, alleviation of poverty and sustainable development are high on the agenda of global concerns.

Prospective Students

This specialization is intended for mid-career professionals in technical as well as management positions, with responsibilities or specific interests in water and environmental science and in maintaining environmental integrity in relation to human development.

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this specialization, graduates will be able to:

• Identify the water quality impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems, as well as alternative remedial actions, under different levels of environmental stress and in different socio-economic contexts;
• Explain principles, concepts and instruments of the main national and international water and environmental laws, and common and desired institutional and management arrangements;
• Successfully interpret, design and optimise water quality monitoring and assessment schemes in the watershed, for example, by using statistical and modelling tools;
• Critically analyse and evaluate alternative water quality management programmes in the watershed under different socio-economic and legal contexts, in a flexible way and often under data-poor conditions;
• Conduct - either independently or in a multidisciplinary team - appropriate research in the field of water quality management, including the formulation of research questions and hypotheses, the selection and application of adequate research methodologies and techniques, and the formulation of well-founded conclusions and recommendations.

Application procedure

Please click here for the admission procedure for the UNESCO-IHE MSc programmes.

Programme Structure & Contents

This specialization consists of 14 modules covering a total of 12 months, this is followed by a 6-month research and thesis phase. Graduates of the programme will be awarded 106 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits.

A detailed table of all specialization modules that comprise the Delft-based Master's Programme in Environmental Science is available here. The specializations are found in the top row and their relevant modules are found directly below.

The WQM specialization within the Environmental Science programme starts with a more focused programme on environmental sciences including the fundamental bio-chemical/physical processes such as chemistry, microbiology (both highlighted in lab sessions), ecology and sustainable development. After that the student specializes in subjects related to the management of aquatic environments including water quality monitoring as well as environmental impact studies. This programme is meant for people who come from a specialized environmental science, chemistry or (micro)biology background, and who aim to work as water quality managers in disciplinary or interdisciplinary team and/or projects.
The WQM specialization within the Water Management programme starts with a broader orientation in the first months including subjects as integrated water resources management, the bio-chemical-physical water system, water governance and water economics. After that the student specializes in subjects related to water quality assessment and monitoring as well as environmental impact studies. This programme is meant for people who come from a broader (not necessarily chemistry or environmental studies) background who aim to work as water quality managers in an interdisciplinary team and/or integrated projects. For more information please click here.