UG Prospectus 2025

164 WhyDCU? − Engagewith environmental and climate issues at a local scale and learn fromvisiting and engaging with case studies where real-life environmental challenges happen − Engagewith challenges based on real issues encountered by industry, the public sector and non-profit sector − Enhance employability skills by developing knowledge acrossmultiple areas related to 2 of themost important societal issues this century - climate change and environmental sustainability − Spend a full academic year at a partner university abroad or on a paidwork placement (INTRA) About You Are you interested in studying climate science, geography, environmental policy, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), sustainability, environmental economics and environmental ethics? Are you interested in gaining analytical, research, teamwork and problem-solving skills that will be attractive to various employers? Additional Requirements The general entry requirements for admission to theUniversity apply (see page 174) Understanding: Climate and Environmental Sustainability The scale and pace of change caused by humans to all aspects of the environment globally in the last 100 years is so significant that we now threaten our very own existence. Issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss are having extensive environmental, economic and social impacts worldwide. These are issues that already affect current generations and are set to havemajor implications for future generations. This is an applied geography course and through the lens of geographical sciences, youwill develop your skills and knowledge to prepare you for work in climate and environment-related fields. Organisations increasingly rely on location intelligence tomake decisions and students on this coursewill gain invaluable skills to learn how to gather and analyse spatial and climate data. Youwill also engagewith topics such as climates and climate change, environmental citizen science, systems thinking, environmental impact assessments and environmental policy. Course Structure The BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability is unique in that modules each year will comprise a largely balanced approach to both natural and social science related to geography, climate and environmental sustainability. The course is designed to enhance learning related to climate change and environmental sustainability acrossmultiple disciplines (e.g. Geography, Earth Science, Political Science, Sociology, Biology and Physics). Specifically, youwill study innovative modules such as biogeography, climates and climate change, sustainable food security, ecosystems and conservation and complementarymodules that are drawn from theGeography offering on other courses. Youwill engage in a residential field module as an integral part of this course, which provides an opportunity to collect environmental data and engagewith environmental and climate issues at a local scale. Youwill be encouraged to learn fromseeing real-life challenges, including visiting case study sites where environmental change is occurring and examining themain challenges facing Ireland. Some of the issues you can expect to engagewith relate to improvingwater quality, managing biodiversity, and dealing with climate change fromboth physical and human geography perspectives. Students can apply to study for a year abroad in Year 3 or can also opt to apply for a year-long paidwork placement (INTRA) in Year 3. This opportunity provides students with excellent experience and a valuable professional network while still in university. Year Abroad Studying abroad provides awonderful opportunity to experience the culture of another country and greatly enhances your language skills. If youmeet certain criteria andwish to go abroad youwill spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner universities. After you complete the year abroad, youwill do the final year of your course at DCU. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/placement/study-overseas INTRAWork Placement This year-longwork placement will give you a unique opportunity to enhance your CV, increase your employability and apply your knowledge and skills in the real world. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/intra IndicativeContent While content of the coursemay change over time, thesemodules are indicative of what youwill be studying in each year. BA inClimate and Environmental Sustainability Develop unique skills to tackle climate and environmental issues facing industry and policy makers today