Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth Systems

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth Systems

Course Title

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth Systems

MQF Level

6

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Intermediate Level pass at grade C or better in at least one of the following subjects: Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics (Mechanics), Geography and Sociology.

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Applications for our February and October intakes have been officially open since the third week in November. You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

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Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

Concern over environmental change has never been greater than at present. It has long been known that the future of the human species is inextricably bound up with the health of the planet on which we live. It is therefore crucial that we gain a clear understanding of planet earth, its systems and their dynamics, if we are to determine the ways in which we should be living and utilizing resources responsibly. The B.Sc. (Hons) in Earth Systems will transcend disciplinary boundaries in order to adopt an integrated and holistic approach to the study of our planet. You will consider the various physical components of the earth system and interactions between these, whilst framing issues of environmental change within a broader context of environmental, social, economic and cultural sustainability. The emphasis is on developing an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented outlook. This programme is a science-based but policy-oriented field.

Concern over environmental change has never been greater than at present. It has long been known that the future of the human species is inextricably bound up with the health of the planet on which we live. It is therefore crucial that we gain a clear understanding of planet earth, its systems and their dynamics, if we are to determine the ways in which we should be living and utilizing resources responsibly. However, in recent times it has become increasingly clear that earth systems are characterized by complexity and uncertainty, and that a compartmentalized and piecemeal approach to studying the Earth will not suffice. Whilst we may talk of earth systems as made up of key components - the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere ֠we must also realize that Earth is one integrated and dynamic system, constantly in flux. Add humans to the equation, and the study of earth systems becomes even more challenging - no other living species has ever had the same pervasive and far-reaching influence that man has had on the planet, and we are only now coming to understand the impacts that some of our actions have had on the Earth. Given such a context, it has become more and more evident that no single discipline can, in isolation, provide an adequate understanding of earth systems. An interdisciplinary approach, however, which brings together relevant aspects of various disciplines, can make a significant contribution in this regard.

Earth Systems Science is precisely such an emerging field of study, and the B.Sc. (Hons) in Earth Systems will transcend disciplinary boundaries in order to adopt an integrated and holistic approach to the study of our planet. It will consider the various physical components of the earth system and interactions between these, whilst framing issues of environmental change within a broader context of environmental, social, economic and cultural sustainability. The emphasis is on developing an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented outlook. This programme also differs from traditional Earth Sciences degrees, and those generally offered in related disciplines such as geography, in that Earth Systems Science is a science-based but policy-oriented field. It is thus far more flexible in its outlook, and draws on relevant subject areas as necessary.

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.

 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
EMP1013 Introduction to Academic Skills 4 ECTS   (NC)  
EMP1014 Environmental Data Processing 4 ECTS    
EMP1016 Biology and Chemistry for Earth Systems Science 4 ECTS   (NC)  
EMP1017 Maths and Physics for Earth Systems Science 4 ECTS   (NC)  
EMP1018 Introduction to Data Science: Python and SQL 4 ECTS    
EMP1019 Human-nature Systems 5 ECTS    
EMP1020 The Mediterranean Basin 5 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
EMP1010 Earth's Living Systems 6 ECTS   (NC)  
EMP1021 Fundamentals of Earth Physics 4 ECTS    
EMP1022 Introduction to Geological Systems 5 ECTS    
EMP1023 Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 6 ECTS    
EMP1024 Essential Soil Science 5 ECTS    
EMP1025 Geo-spatial Mapping 4 ECTS   (NC)  

 
Requirement for regular progression to Year 2: 60 ECTS credits

 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
EMP2001 Earth's Atmospheric System 5 ECTS    
EMP2002 Ocean Systems 5 ECTS    
EMP2010 Environmental Monitoring: Earth Observation Systems 5 ECTS    
EMP2017 Concepts of Sustainability 5 ECTS    
EMP2018 Environmental Governance 4 ECTS    
ISE2105 Energy Resources and Systems 5 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
EMP2020 Statistics for Earth Systems Science 5 ECTS    
EMP2021 Ecosystem Management for Biodiversity Conservation 6 ECTS    
EMP2022 Field Techniques in Earth Systems 6 ECTS    
EMP2023 Project Management 8 ECTS    
EMP2024 Research Methods: Theory and Applications 6 ECTS   (NC)  

 
Requirement for regular progression to Year 3: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to register for a minimum of 8 ECTS credits from the study-units indicated with an asterisk and for optional study-units from other Faculties/Institutes/Centres to a total of 60 ECTS credits for the year.
 
Year   (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
EMP3025 Project 15 ECTS   (NC)  

 
 
Semester 1
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
EMP3016 Environmental Pollution 6 ECTS    
EMP3017 Corporate Environmental Management 4 ECTS    
EMP3018 Environmental Impact Assessment 4 ECTS    
 
Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

Students are to register for two of the following:

Either
 
EMP3021* Water Management: Key Concepts and Challenges in the Maltese Context 6 ECTS    
 
Or
 
EMP3022* Water Management: Key Concepts 4 ECTS    
 
AND

Either
 
EMP3027* Waste Management: Key Concepts and Challenges in the Maltese Context 6 ECTS    
 
Or
 
EMP3028* Waste Management: Key Concepts 4 ECTS    

 
 
Semester 2
 
Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)
 
EMP3023 Environmental Change 5 ECTS    
EMP3024 Climate Change 5 ECTS    
EMP3029 Geopolitics of Natural Resources 6 ECTS    

 
Requirement for successful completion of Year 3 (final year): 60 ECTS credits.

Requirement for award of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth Systems: 180 ECTS credits.

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Earth Systems - B.Sc. (Hons) - under the auspices of the Institute of Earth Systems.

By the end of the course, you will have:

  • A sound scientific knowledge of the components and processes of Earth systems
  • An understanding of the implications for mankind of changes in Earth systems
  • A knowledge of the characteristics and history of environmental change
  • A grounding in the varied human dimensions of environmental concerns
  • An understanding of the science-policy interface
  • A background history of the emergence and evolution of sustainability concerns

This 3-year programme will be taught through a variety of methods, including lectures, laboratorybased practical sessions, field-based practical sessions, seminars and supervised independent research. The raison dҿe of the course is to provide students with both lecturer-led instruction and experiential learning, with a focus on linking theory and practice. Whilst the importance of a good knowledge of subject theory will thus be emphasized, this will be taught with a view to ensuring that you make the link to applicability in practice. You will also be exposed to a range of different lecturers and will have the opportunity to benefit from the experience of invited guest speakers throughout the course. The intention behind this approach is to train you to learn from different perspectives to the subject matter. The subject matter itself will also include material from a range of disciplines, together with specific interdisciplinary concerns.

This approach will enhance your intellectual development, as, in addition to being taught specific course content, students will also be trained in becoming flexible and versatile and in learning to deal with areas outside their direct 'comfort zone'. You will also acquire skills in absorbing and processing knowledge of different kinds and presented in different ways.

The course will provide you with:

  • A sound scientific knowledge of the components and processes of Earth systems
  • An understanding of the implications for mankind of changes in Earth systems
  • A knowledge of the characteristics and history of environmental change
  • A grounding in the varied human dimensions of environmental concerns
  • An understanding of the science-policy interface
  • A background history of the emergence and evolution of sustainability concerns
  • An explanation of the local, regional and global context for environmental issues
  • Comprehension of the policy and legal context within which management of Earth systems occurs
  • A foundation in the design and implementation of empirical research
  • An introduction to relevant tools and techniques for critical analysis
  • A sound knowledge of the local and regional context (Malta and the Mediterranean), together with an understanding of other international perspectives
  • Opportunities for pursuing areas of particular individual interest through a research project
  • Engagement with leading professionals in the field.

You will also be trained to focus on identifying and evaluating interactions through the development of linkages between different course components. Thus, whilst looking specifically at different aspects of earth systems, you will also be guided in looking at these holistically through a view of the Ѣigger pictureҮ

A wide range of skills will be developed throughout the course, including computing and modelling, mathematical skills, navigation, mapping (for a variety of end-purposes), analytical field and laboratory techniques, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data interpretation and analysis, and critical problem solving. Several of these skills will be transferable to on-the-job scenarios and to other life situations. Furthermore, students will be trained to be able to liaise and communicate with a wide audience, and to work successfully in interdisciplinary teams, skills which will likewise enhance their employment opportunities.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 10,800

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As a graduate of the B.Sc. (Hons) in Earth Systems programme, you will be uniquely furnished with a sound scientific grounding in various aspects of earth systems, together with an understanding of the social, economic, policy and legislative frameworks that are so crucial to environmental management and planning. You will thus be ideally placed to join professional ranks in addressing the management and planning of activities at the human-nature interface, and will bring skills to the job from both the natural and social sciences.

Potential employers include Malta's Environment Resources Authority (ERA) and Planning Authority (PA), the Malta Resources Authority (MRA), the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning (MECP), the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights (MAFA), Ambjent Malta, Wasteserve Malta Ltd, private-sector industry and environmental appraisal consultancies, the University of Malta and other educational institutions, as well as European and international governmental and non-governmental agencies. Examples of the latter include the European Environment Agency, World Conservation Union (IUCN), Conservation International, the World Wildlife Fund, the World Bank, as well as various UN agencies including FAO, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP and UNIDO.

You will also have the option of pursuing full-time or part-time studies at Master level, either with the University of Malta or at universities abroad. Courses available locally include the IES's own M.Sc. in Natural Environment and Resources Management, as well as the M.Sc. by research in Rural and Environmental Sciences.

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