Polar and Alpine Change
Department of Geography,
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course description
This unique course prepares you for a research career in cold-regions science, notably within the disciplines of glaciology, glacial geomorphology, polar climatology/oceanography, environmental science, polar biogeochemical processes, or their intersections. We train graduates from a range of scientific disciplines.
The course operates at the cutting edge of climate science, as its key focus is to explore the expressions, mechanisms and impacts of rapid ongoing changes in our planet’s cold regions.
An integral part of the course is the Arctic/Alpine field course, which is usually in the summer towards the end of the academic year. The costs for this field course are not included in the tuition fee. You'll gain an in-depth knowledge of the location you visit. You'll also develop skills in relevant research approaches and techniques.
Course structure
You'll complete 180 compulsory credits of study, comprising four modules taken over one year full-time.
You'll carry out a year-long research project where you'll undertake original and independent research in your chosen field. While you develop and execute your project, we'll give you close supervision. You'll be a member of the department's vibrant research community – our Ice and Climate Research group – and you'll have the opportunity to present your findings to the group.
During the first semester, modules will help you develop your research ideas and produce a formal project proposal. You'll also have the chance to to explore research approaches and develop your analytical and research communication skills.
Field class
The field class combines taught sessions with group research. Group work undertaken by students in previous years includes: meteorology, glacier hydrology, glacier hydrochemistry, ground penetrating radar studies of glacier structure and glacial geomorphology, and glacier reconstruction using geomorphological evidence and relative dating techniques. Recent field class locations have included Greenland and Svalbard.
Modules
Core modules:
- Research Design in Analysis of Environmental Systems
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The unit aims to provide an introduction to conducting research in environmental analysis. The objectives are: a) to provide an understanding of the sources of research problems and how specific student research topics fit into broader agendas; b) to provide an understanding of “scientific method” and its different components, including the roles of fieldwork, laboratory experiments and modelling; c) to prepare students for writing a research proposal. These aims will be realised through a mix of lectures, student investigation and presentation of academic staff research, and preparation of a research proposal for the student’s dissertation.
15 credits - Current Issues in Polar and Alpine Science
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This module provides students with knowledge, insight and awareness into specific current issues in Polar and Alpine Science. This is achieved through the medium of attendance at research presentations by experts in appropriate fields and discussion of cutting-edge research topics and papers
15 credits - Polar and Alpine Change Field Course
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This module provides experience of academic, logistic and practical skills required to undertake a programme of field research. The course will be based in an arctic or alpine environment and conducted as an expedition. Key transferable skills for field research will be developed including research and experimental design; field monitoring using a range of sensors and instruments; field observation of sediments, ice flow, landforms, hydrology and climate. Such skill development will be achieved via safety training, a series of guided field days and a group research project.
15 credits - Polar and Alpine Change Research Project
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This module aims to enable students to develop their research, methodological and writing skills in a topic within the scope of cold-regions geo-/climatological science. It requires them to independently design and conduct a theoretically-informed empirical research project. This project will involve bibliographic searches, appraisal of the current state of the research field of the topic, use of qualitative and/or quantitative and/or field research techniques, derivation and analyses and interpretation of data, presentations of the proposed research and of project findings, and write-up of results in a report in the style resembling that of a journal paper.
135 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Teaching
Modules are delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and independent study.
This course provides a unique research experience that seeks to embed our students within the Ice and Climate Research (ICERS) group. The ICERS team at Sheffield is one of the largest cold-regions research groupings in the UK and research undertaken by the group is wide in scope and highly regarded internationally. Students are mentored closely throughout the development and execution of their research, developing a strong professional working relationship with specific group members. This setup provides an ideal environment in which to undertake a research training masters, as evidenced by our remarkable track record of past graduate success.
Dr Felix Ng
Programme Director
Assessment
The research project is assessed by oral presentation of mid-project findings, submission of a project report in the summer and by a poster presentation of project findings.
Duration
1 year full-time
Your career
This course provides an exceptional level of research training and experience. These kinds of skills are why our graduates are successful in both further study at PhD level or a research-centred career.
Our graduates have gone on to secure competitive PhD positions at research-intensive UK institutions that specialise in cold-regions research, as well as institutions further afield, including Norway and Sweden. Other graduates have gone on to become environmental professionals.
Most applicants are interested in a research career. After your masters you might pursue further study at PhD and then an academic position where you can go on to push the frontiers of knowledge. We'll help you prepare for a research career while you study with us. For example, we provide guidance on applying for a PhD and you'll receive support from a tutor as well as guidance from the department's Ice and Climate Research group.
Student profiles
The department has a wide range of expertise which meant that there were lots of interesting areas to pick from when selecting dissertation projects. The field course was also a huge bonus and I really enjoyed spending the summer studying in Svalbard, being able to see the environments and processes that I had learnt about and doing fieldwork in beautiful locations.
Emma Lewington
MSc(Res) Polar and Alpine Change
Entry requirements
You’ll need a minimum of a good 2:1 honours degree showing first-class potential in relevant subject areas, including (but not restricted to) physical geography, environmental/earth/ocean sciences, geology, physics and natural science. You will also need evidence of engagement with and/or aptitude in geoscientific research through a personal statement and research document (e.g. undergraduate dissertation report).
Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.
We also accept a range of other UK qualifications and other EU/international qualifications.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
Apply
You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
geography-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 7900
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.