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Prospectus 2011 Earth and Natural Sciences Doctoral Programme An All-Ireland Doctoral Studies Programme

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, it is possible for errors and omissions to have occurred. If you have any questions about the information contained within this document, please contact the Project Supervisor or the ENS Research Administrator. Any omissions or errors will be corrected in future versions of the document. Updated details will also be posted to the ENS webpages (www.ucd.ie/earth/graduatetraining/phdprogrammeinearthandnaturalsciences/) Sections of this document have been based on the materials found in two other UCD documents: “Academic Regulations Approved by Academic Council on 28 April 2011” and “Bioinformatics and Systems Biology PhD Programme Handbook”. The materials are used with thanks. This version is Revision 9, dated 28 November 2011

http://www.ucd.ie/earth/graduatetraining/phdprogrammeinearthandnaturalsciences/

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Table of Contents

Welcome to the Earth and Natural Sciences Doctoral Programme ..................................... 3

The PhD Programme – An Overview.................................................................................. 5 Who is Involved? ....................................................................................................................... 5 The Strands ................................................................................................................................ 5 The Themes ............................................................................................................................... 6

The Structure of the Programme ....................................................................................... 8 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 8 Core Modules (15 ECTS) ............................................................................................................ 9

Global Challenges, Green Issues and Policy (5 ECTS) ............................................................ 9 Innovation Training (10 ECTS) ............................................................................................... 9 Workshops (2.5 ECTS) ............................................................................................................ 9 Seminars (7.5 ECTS) ............................................................................................................. 10 Internship or Certificate in Innovation (20 ECTS) ................................................................ 10 Electives (15 – 25 ECTS) ....................................................................................................... 10 Original Research (290 – 360 ECTS) .................................................................................... 11

Supervision, Meetings and Reporting .............................................................................. 12 Supervisors .............................................................................................................................. 12 Doctoral Studies Panels (DSP) ................................................................................................. 13 Research and Professional Development Plan (RPDP) ........................................................... 13 Transfer Assessments .............................................................................................................. 14

Supports ......................................................................................................................... 17

Who’s Who in the ENS PhD Programme? ........................................................................ 18 Programme Directorate .......................................................................................................... 18 Strand Leaders ......................................................................................................................... 18 Institutional Contacts .............................................................................................................. 18

Useful Contacts ............................................................................................................... 19 University College Dublin ........................................................................................................ 19 Trinity College Dublin .............................................................................................................. 19 National University of Ireland, Galway ................................................................................... 19 University of Limerick .............................................................................................................. 19

Annex A: Modules ........................................................................................................... 20

Earth and Natural Science Doctoral Programme

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Welcome to the Earth and Natural Sciences Doctoral Programme The Earth and Natural Sciences Doctoral Programme is a four-year, funded, structured doctoral programme, divided into a number of thematic Strands. Funding has been provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), through the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycle 5 (PRTLI-5). Currently, the programme is partnered with Trinity College Dublin (TCD), the University of Limerick (UL), the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS), the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). The underlying concept is to create an innovation-focused PhD programme, targeting national priorities and global challenges in the Earth and Natural Sciences. The Programme, which corresponds to 360 ECTS credits in domain-specific areas, requires that the student successfully complete original doctoral research, the outcome of which makes an original and substantial contribution to knowledge in the area of research and interest. Students are also expected to complete a series of tailored, taught modules, which will enhance the candidate’s learning experiences. The research programmes are selected to ensure that the student receives an outstanding research experience, supervised by Ireland’s leading academics. In addition, the student will take part in disciplinary and structured components, including the unique training of the UCD-TCD Innovation Academy. The objective is to ensure the training of graduates that will play a major role in realising the ambitions of Ireland’s Energy White Paper and in creating a globally competitive ‘green tech’ sector. The educational plan of this National PhD programme will:

1. Provide a structured programme with a strong disciplinary base and innovation focus and deliver graduates more relevant to the market place.

2. Integrate knowledge across relevant disciplines to focus on ‘big’ complex systems and challenges through the six multidisciplinary research programmes.

3. Equip a spectrum of students with high- end training technical skills that will enable

Ireland to engage fully in the ‘green technology industry (e.g. computing, nanotechnology, geographical information systems, modelling, agricultural biotechnology, phylogenetics, energy systems, etc.).

4. Embed the educational programmes in an innovation and entrepreneurial culture

that prepares students for careers in industry, academia and government agency.


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This educational plan has been developed with stakeholders, partner institutions, agencies and industry to ensure its relevance to emerging needs. The learning experience is further enhanced by the fact that students are offered the opportunity to study at collaborating institutions. The diversity in expertise and physical location affords all the students on the ENS Programme a unique opportunity in terms of learning and collaboration.

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The PhD Programme – An Overview The Earth and Natural Sciences Doctoral Programme has been closely aligned with the thematic interests of the UCD Earth Institute and its partners around Ireland. As a consequence, the structure of the programme shows elements of those themes. As a means to represent these themes, a series of six strands has been developed, with each strand, by and large, trying to draw together coherent and complementary themes in order to address complex issues that are of relevance to Ireland, Europe and beyond.

Who is Involved? The ENS Programme is among the first all-Ireland doctoral programmes. The programme will be overseen in its first year by more than 40 PIs, along with over 100 collaborators. These academics and partners will be supervising 57 new doctoral candidates in the first year. With such large numbers of people involved, it is hardly surprising that the Programme draws on the expertise of a variety of universities, colleges, schools and departments. Institute Schools/Departments

University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science

School of Biology and Environmental Science

School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering

School of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering

School of Computer Science and Informatics

School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy

School of Geological Sciences

School of Law

School of Mathematical Sciences

Trinity College Dublin School of Natural Sciences

School of Engineering

National University of Ireland, Galway School of Business and Economics

School of Chemistry

School of Natural Sciences

University of Limerick Department of Chemical and Environmental Science

Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies School of Cosmic Physics

The Strands The Programme has been divided into a number of Strands, covering a multitude of topics. The interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the candidates in each Strand will allow for healthy discourse and debate, while also allowing them to become more aware of the work of those in other disciplines.


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The six strands are: Earth Systems Science and Computational Climate Modelling, which aims to train Earth Scientists in the disciplines needed to propose quantitative and innovative solutions to rapidly emerging climate challenges. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, which aims to train graduates in ecosystem functioning, management, evolution and structure prediction that inform sustainable use of the Earth’s resources. Energy and Environmental Engineering, which aims to equip the graduates with the training and skills required for modelling, chemical and photochemical energy resources and CO2 amelioration and to provide training towards an energy secure, low carbon emissions Ireland. This will be carried out in conjunction with the Engineering PhD Programme. Sustainable and Competitive AgriFood Production, which aims to equip PhD graduates with the training and skills needed to lead and drive AgriFood development and overcome major challenges, including energy costs, environmental stewardship, animal health and welfare, health-enhancing foods, and climate change. Transport and Water Engineering, which aims to equip graduates with the training and skills needed to overcome the challenges arising from climate change (flooding and extreme events) and develop a greener transport sector. Economics and Policy Analysis, which aims to produce graduates that: understand how to interface effectively with scientists; effectively work with agencies and government or enterprise; support innovation and enterprise.

The Themes The Strands are, for the most part, aligned with specific themes. However, the multidisciplinary nature of the programme means that there is significant scope for overlap, co-operation and collaboration between the themes and strands. The following paragraphs help to identify the overlaps and synergies brought about by thematic research. Emissions Reduction and Control is closely linked with a variety of the Strands. Areas of interest include CO2 subsurface and ocean sequestration and carbon capture (Strand 1 and Strand 3), methods of mitigation and remediation against animal production emissions (Strand 2 and Strand 4), land-use and water management and greenhouse gas emissions (Strand 4).

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Sustainable Bio-resources is, again, linked with a number of Strands. The research areas cover mechanisms of biological adaptation and speciation (Strand 2), animal and herd health (Strand 4), food chain safety (Strand 4), food nutrition and technology (Strand 3) diet and health (Strand 4) and sustainable and competitive food production, including crop and animal (Strand 4). Climate Change, Water and Geohazards is very closely associated with Strand 1. This theme examines climate and weather modelling (Strand 1), predicting and preparing for surface and sub-surface heat and fluid flow (Strand 1), predicting and preparing for large, rare and extreme events (Strand 1). This theme also links with other Strands, particularly in its remit to examine the influence of environmental changes on eco systems and bioresources (Strand 2 and Strand 4) and in looking at water supply and engineering, clean up, and landslide modelling and prevention (Strand 5). Energy Supply and Renewable and Sustainable Energy helps to link a range of Strands. This theme looks at modelling wind, wave and geothermal power (Strand 1), sub-surface energy storage and extraction (Strand 1), enhanced and clean sub-surface oil and gas recovery (Strand 1), geophysical and petrophysical modelling (Strand 1 and Strand 3) smart sensors and smart grid applications (Strand 1 and Strand 3), synergistic production of bioenergy, food crops and forests (Strand 4), photo- and electro-chemical energy storage, including solar (Strand 3), modelling renewable power resources (Strand 3), bioenergy (Strand 4), building design (Strand 5) and transportation (Strand 5). Transport and Infrastructure, as a theme, consolidates many of the research activities in the areas of physical and communications infrastructure and transport engineering (Strand 1, Strand 3 and Strand 5). Economics and Policy Analysis aims to link a number of economic and energy issues. Areas include examine market failures in the delivery of energy (Strand 6), human behaviour and quality of life in the energy and environmental context (Strand 6), factors stimulating “green technology and related innovation (Strand 6). This theme also hopes to address and assess the benefits and costs of technologies emerging from other Themes and Stands within the Programme.


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The Structure of the Programme

Introduction “The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded following successful completion of a programme of supervised research and advanced education and training. The degree will be awarded only where the outcome of the research makes an original and substantial contribution to knowledge and where the candidate has demonstrated the capacity to pursue original research and scholarship. The research is described in a thesis or similar appropriate format, in accordance with international norms, which forms the basis for the examination for the award of the degree of PhD, and which must contain material of a standard and form appropriate for peer-reviewed publication.” Within the Earth and Natural Sciences Doctoral Programme, students are expected to undertake both taught modules and elements of original research, augmented by attendance at workshops and seminars and by undertaking industrial placements or the Certificate in Innovation offer by the Innovation Academy. The PhD will consist of 360 ECTS credits, of which a minimum of 270 credits is to be based on original research and publication. Within the ENS Programme, it is proposed that 290 – 300 ECTS will be awarded for original research and that the remaining 60 – 70 ECTS will be made up by attending taught modules, workshops and seminars and by taking part in placement programmes or in the Certificate in Innovation. A summary of all ECTS requirements is given in the table below. Component Credits Timing

Horizontal Skills: “Global Challenges and Green Issues: Policy and Innovation

5 Year 1

Discipline Specific Modules 10 – 20 Year 1 and Year 2

Transferable Skills I: Innovation and Entrepreneurial Skills

10 Year 1

Transferable Skills II: Elective Choice 5 Year 1

Seminars 7.5 Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4

Workshops 2.5 Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4

Internship or “Certificate in Innovation” 20 Year 2 or Year 3

Original Research 290 – 300 All Years

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The following paragraphs help to describe the workload that the student will be expected to undertake. You should also refer to Gantt chart provided, which shows the overall structure of the course over the four years. There are a series of core or mandatory modules that must be completed:

Core Modules (15 ECTS)

Global Challenges, Green Issues and Policy (5 ECTS)

All students will undertake a module entitled 'Global Challenges, Green Issues and policy' (BIOL 40110). The module is worth 5 credits and will be taught as a block in Year 1 from 06 December 2011 to 08 December 2011. All students must be registered for this module, which will be held in UCD. The credits will be awarded based on multiple-choice examinations that will take place throughout the term. Further details of the module are available from the course descriptions pages of the UCD website.

Innovation Training (10 ECTS)

TCD-UCD Innovation Academy (10 ECTS)

Students at UCD and TCD will take part in an innovation training modules, offered through the TCD-UCD Innovation Alliance. The aim of this module is to help PhD students to access their innate ability for independent creative thinking and innovation, in its broadest sense, and to help them discover the potential for the development of their new ideas in a multi-disciplinary team environment. The first part of this module, “Creation”, is taught as a block and offered to students in Year 1. The module is worth a total of 10 ECTS credits.

NUIG Ignite Programme (10 ECTS)

For other students, full details of the NUIG Ignite Technology Transfer Office Programme will be circulated shortly. Currently, the programme, which closely mirrors the Innovation Academy’s work, will be offered as a set of ten one-day workshops, including lectures and seminars. These will be offered to UL and NUIG students in March 2012. More details are available on the NUI Galway TTO website.

Workshops (2.5 ECTS) Across Years 2, 3 and 4, students are required to attend two of the total of three annual workshops. These will be held from autumn 2012 onwards and students will be awarded 2.5 credits for attendance and completion of the associated questionnaires. Details of these workshops will be available from Spring 2012.


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Seminars (7.5 ECTS) Students are also required to attend and participate in Seminar Series, which will be worth 7.5 credits. These Seminars will begin in the Year 2 of the programme. Where practical, the Workshops and Seminars will be run together as a single block.

Internship or Certificate in Innovation (20 ECTS)

In Year 2 or Year 3, students must complete a 10-week internship or complete the Certificate in Innovation. Both of these undertakings will be awarded 20 credits. Specific detail of the internship will be made available later in the Programme. Details of the Certificate in Innovation are available through the Innovation Academy.

Electives (15 – 25 ECTS)

Transferable skills modules (5 credits)

Students are required to take 5 credits of transferable skills modules in Year 1. This can be a module of choice, agreed between the student and their supervisory panel. Details of the Modules on offer to students through UCD (possibly only of interest to TCD and UCD students) can be found on the Transferable Skills webpages of the UCD Graduate Studies website. Details of other Transferable Skills modules at UL can be found on the Graduate Training website. Similarly, for NUIG, details can be found on the Transferable Skills pages of the Career Development office. For TCD, please contact your supervisor for more specific details. It should also be noted that students can opt to take a Discipline Specific module from their own or another Strand as their Transferable Skills module. This will be permitted where the student demonstrates that the skill that will be developed by attendance in that module will be transferable from their perspective

Discipline-specific modules (10 – 20 ECTS)

Students are required to take a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 credits in Year 1 and a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 credits in Year 2. Typically, students are advised to take a maximum of 10 credits across both years. A list of the names of all of the modules recommended as part of the ENS Programme can be found on the ENS website. Modules should be selected in consultation with your supervisor.

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Original Research (290 – 360 ECTS)

The principal focus of any PhD is the original research carried out by the candidate. During the four-year Programme, each student will be expected to carry out tasks that lead to the completion of an original body of work, worthy of the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.


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Supervision, Meetings and Reporting What sounds like a daunting task initially can be made to run quite smoothly, by means of regular interactions with your supervisor and your colleagues. To this end, a number of structures are in place to ensure that students receive the correct level of support and direction and support.

Supervisors Firstly, the student will have a dedicated supervisor (the Principal Investigator or PI on the project) who will, in conjunction with the Project Collaborators, guide and direct the student. The supervisor should be an active researcher in the broad area of the student’s research topic, with a record of a peer-reviewed publication of international standing. Normally, supervisors of a PhD should hold a doctoral degree and have experience in supervising a doctoral student. The main duties and responsibilities of the Principal Supervisor are as follows:

1. To act as the main source of research supervision, mentoring, guidance and advice for the student throughout their research degree.

2. Supervisors are required to have a scheduled meeting with the student at least once a month in addition to regular interaction.

3. After the student is registered, at least two advisors are assigned to the student

following consultation with the PI and the School or Department. These two advisors plus the principal supervisor comprise of the Doctoral Studies Panel (DSP). The functionality of the DSP is discussed later in this document.

4. The co-supervisors or project collaborators will have an active role in specific aspects

of the research undertaken or in provision of technical advice or expertise.

5. The PI must organize the first meeting of the DSP within 3 months of registration. The student will organise the panel to meet at 6 months and at 12 months to discuss and manage progress, to enable preparation for Transfer Assessment, and to ensure sufficient progression towards completion of Stage 1.

6. Following the student’s successful completion to Stage 2 of his or her Doctoral

Studies, the DSP will continue to meet on an annual or 6-monthly basis.

7. The panel meetings should discuss the development and progress of the student’s research and any training or education needed for their research and further professional development.

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8. A formal record of the student’s research and professional plans and their progress to date must be recorded at these meetings.

Doctoral Studies Panels (DSP) This mentoring role will be further supported by a Doctoral Studies Panel (DSP), which will normally comprise the PI, certain collaborators and invited academics or industrial partners. The DSP is a UCD model but fits closely with the structures that exist within the other partner institutions. As a method of ensuring a uniform level of supervisor and mentoring across the Programme, it is proposed that DSPs will be developed in conjunction with or to augment local institutional structures. In many cases, the PI will liaise with partners in order to develop the DSP composition and this decision will be communicated to the ENS administration in due course. DSPs within the ENS Programme will consist of at least three members and, where possible, should include representation form academic, industry and agency partners. All members of the DSPs will have to be approved by the appropriate School or Department.

Research and Professional Development Plan (RPDP) You will have regular meetings with these panels and a formal structure exists in order that all such interaction are recorded and that suitable and realistic goals are set and achieved throughout the PhD Programme. This structure, the Research and Professional Development Plan (RPDP) has been developed by UCD and is now compulsory for all new research postgraduates. The current version of the Plan began in 2008 and is currently being modified to reflect changes to UCD’s management and academic structures. Further details and specific documentation for the various Graduate School are available from the UCD Graduate Studies Office. For students outside UCD, similar structures exist and are used. A dedicated ENS RPDP document has been developed and will be circulated to all students and supervisors. Research and Professional Development planning is an integral part of the PhD programme. The purpose of such planning is to ensure that the student’s work is clearly focused on achieving their research and professional goals. This will play a major part in informing the direction of their PhD research and in their training and development as a researcher. These plans will also help the student develop key skills that will be invaluable for both their current research and their future career prospects.


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There are three main components to the RPDP:

1. Research Plan – This is to provide the student with a clear research focus and a coherent research plan.

2. Professional Development Plan – This is to enable the student to identify the skills important to their research and career.

3. Doctoral Studies Panel Meeting Record – A mandatory outcome of the DSP meetings

will be a formal record of the student’s research and professional plans and progress to date. This will also inform the transfer assessment.

Each student in the first year will need to attend their initial “1-month” meeting to ensure the supervisors and the student clearly understand the plan for the doctoral studies work. This usually occurs within the first 3 months of the student commencing. The supervisor is responsible for calling this first meeting; the student is responsible for calling your 6-month meeting and the 12-month. All reports need to be signed off by all DSP members, clearly indicating that the DSP is happy with progress to date, or alternatively highlighting any reservations or potential reservations of the DSP. Copies of all reports should be sent to the appropriate School or Departmental Administrator and to the ENS Research Administrator. The original documents should be kept by the Chair of the DSP. In the event that this is not submitted, both the student and the principal supervisor must write to the Programme Director explaining why it has not been completed. Please note that these reports have to be submitted several months before the Transfer to Stage 2 occurs.

Transfer Assessments A vital part of the PhD process is the Transfer Assessment. The Transfer Assessment marks the transition between Stage 1 and Stage 2 of your doctoral studies. This will occur at between 12 and 18 months into your research project. At this point, you will be expected to present your research thus far and justify your current course of action. So long as you have had regular and constructive meetings with your supervisors and the DSP, this should be no difficulty to you. Within the ENS Programme, Stage 1 consists of completing 25 to 30 ECTS as well as a suitable level of progress on your own research work. To progress in your doctoral studies, student must undergo a Transfer Assessment by an assessment panel as to their competence and capacity to complete a doctorate at the end of Stage 1.

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You can think of the Transfer Assessment as a miniature viva voce examination, a taste of what you might expect. The principal reason for the Assessment is to ensure that you have been thinking critically, are aware of the challenges and understand the implications of your studies. Formats for the Assessment will vary from School to School but the overall process will be the same. You will prepare a report, make a presentation and be interviewed by a panel of academics; you supervisor or co-supervisors will not be involved in the process, much as is the case in a real viva voce. Prior to this Assessment, copies of record forms for all DSP meetings, signed and approved by all relevant participants, should be submitted to the appropriate Administrator at School or Departmental level and to the ENS Programme Research Administrator. It is essential that the students submit the 1-month meeting report and the 12-month report, signed and approved by the DSP panel. In the event that this is not submitted, the principal supervisor must write to the Programme Director explaining why it has not been completed. Students must also submit a written assessment report (work progress and thesis proposal). This report will be given to the assessment panel. The criteria upon which the candidates will be assessed are as follows

1. Are the aims of the project clear?

2. Has the student demonstrated an understanding of knowledge in the field?

3. Is there evidence of progress made?

4. Is there a clear research plan for the doctoral phase? The length and composition of the report will be dictated by local institutional norms. It may contain figures and tables and must contain a research plan for the remainder of the proposed PhD. Ideally, students should prepare a draft of the assessment report and present it along with the brief presentation at their 12-month DSP. The report must be written to a good scholarly standard. The requirements will vary by area, but a typical thesis proposal could define precisely the problem being addressed, the proposed solution, and the preliminary results, which demonstrate that the produced solution is viable, and a detailed plan for completion. In addition the principal supervisor must submit a statement on the progress of the student within Stage 1 and recommendation on their progression to Stage 2, and the plans and progress on taught modules including transferable skills, laboratory experience, and


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industrial or academic placement. This should also be signed off by the other joint supervisor and submitted to the appropriate Administrators.

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Supports

For certain students, problems do arise over the course of the PhD process. The first thing to say on this matter is that there I always help. If you are experiencing difficulty, the first port of call is usually your supervisor. You should be able to speak with them and try to address the issues. If you are not comfortable with this concept, or, indeed, if you are one of the very few students who has an issue with their supervisor, there are both official and unofficial channels that can be followed. The ENS Team is here to help in any way we can, either for an informal chat or as a means to initiate formal procedures. There are a number of other options, ranging from meeting with the student advisors or counselling services to meeting with members of the chaplaincy to discussing the issue with a friend or colleague. The most import thing to remember is that help is at hand; try not to let the problem become too big. If you have any questions, ask.


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Who’s Who in the ENS PhD Programme?

Programme Directorate Post Name Contact Details

Programme Director Dr Fiona Doohan (UCD) E: [email protected] T: + 353 1 716 2248

Programme Research Administrator Dr Edward Casey (UCD) E: [email protected] T: + 353 1 716 2681

Strand Leaders Strand Name Contact Details

Earth Systems Science and Computational Climate Modelling

Dr Conor Sweeney (UCD) E: [email protected] T: + 373 1 716 2358

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Prof Fraser Mitchell (TCD) E: [email protected] T: +353 1 896 1811

Energy and Environmental Engineering

Prof Don MacElroy (UCD) E: [email protected] T: + 373 1 716 1824

Sustainable and Competitive AgriFood Production

Prof John O Doherty (UCD) E: [email protected] T: + 373 1 716 7128

Transport & Water Engineering Prof Eugene O Brien (UCD) E: [email protected] T: + 353 1 716 3224

Economics & Policy Analysis Prof Peter Clinch (UCD) E: [email protected] T: + 353 1 716 2673

Institutional Contacts Institution Name Contact Details

University College Dublin Dr Fiona Doohan E: [email protected] T: + 353 1 716 2248

Trinity College Dublin Prof Fraser Mitchell E: [email protected] T: +353 1 896 1811

National University of Ireland, Galway

Prof Vincent O Flaherty E: [email protected] T: +353 91 49 3734

University of Limerick Dr J J Leahy E: [email protected] T: +353 61 20 2649

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Useful Contacts

University College Dublin General Enquiries + 353 1 716 7777 Emergency Services + 353 1 716 7999 IT Services + 353 1 716 2700 ([email protected])

Trinity College Dublin General Enquiries + 353 1 896 1000 Emergency Services + 353 1 896 1999 IS Services + 353 1 896 2000 ([email protected])

National University of Ireland, Galway General Enquiries + 353 91 49 3361 Emergency Services + 353 91 49 3333 ISS Services + 353 91 49 5777([email protected])

University of Limerick General Enquiries +353 61 20 2700 Emergency Services +353 61 21 3333 Information Technology Division: +353 61 20 2999


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Annex A: Modules Strand 1: Earth Systems Science and Computational Climate Modelling

Module Name Institution Module Code Semester Credits

Physics of Aerosol and Particulate Matter NUIG PH507 - 5

Dynamic Meteorology UCD ACM40460 1 10

Physical Meteorology UCD ACM40490 1 10

Climate Dynamics UCD ACM40480 2 10

Numerical Weather Prediction UCD ACM40520 2 10

Software Design & Carpentry NUIG ACM40650* 2 5

Scientific Programming NUIG ACM40660* 1 5

Scientific (GPGPU) Computing NUIG ACM40670* 2 5

Numerical Algorithms UCD ACM40290 1 5

Mathematical Methods UCD ACM40570 1 5

Organic Petrology, Palynology and Palaebotany TCD GL4411 1 5

Geology of Ireland and Economic Geology TCD GL4403 2 5

Earth Sciences Field Course (Wexford) TCD GL2299 2 5

Research Seminar Series I

UCD GEOL50010 All year 5

Research Seminar Series II


Research Seminar Series III


Research Seminar Series IV


Advanced Research Techniques I UCD GEOL50020 All year 5

Advanced Research Techniques II UCD GEOL50060 All year 5

Advanced Research Techniques III UCD GEOL50070 All year 5

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* Students will be registered to this UCD Module code but the module will be offered through NUIG. These modules are part of the PhD Programme in Simulation Sciences

Strand 2: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology


Ecological modelling UCD ENVB40290 2 5

GIS and Data Analyses UCD ENVB40230 2 5

Taxonomy, systematics and identification skills TCD BD7055 1 -

Data handing TCD BD7054 2 -

Human Impacts with Biodiversity TCD BD7056 2 -

Molecular Ecology QUB

Animal Behaviour and Welfare QUB

Ecological Management and Conservation Biology

QUB

Molecular Phylogenetics UCD ZOOL40040 1 5

Marine Population Biology UCD ZOOL40050 1 5

Ecology & Evolution Research Seminars TCD BO4106 All year -

Ecological and Environmental Microbiology UCD ENVB40050 2 5

Soil Ecology UCD AESC40130 2 5


Advanced Research Techniques IV UCD GEOL50080 All year 5

Advanced Research Techniques V UCD GEOL50090 All year 5

Advanced Research Techniques VI UCD GEOL50100 All year 5

Advanced Research Techniques VII UCD GEOL50110 All year 5

Advanced Research Techniques VIII UCD GEOL50120 All year 5


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Plant-Atmosphere Climate Interactions UCD BOTN40180 1 1 5

Ecological Significance of Different Photosynthetic Pathways

UCD BOTN40040 2 1 5

Python Programming for Computational Biologists

UCD COMP50050 2 1 2.5

1 This module would normally require that candidates had previously undertaken BOTN30050 but this prerequisite has been waved for ENS Candidates

2 A limited number of places are available to ENS Candidates. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

Strand 3: Energy and Environmental Engineering


Energy Systems and Climate Change

UCD MEEN40090 1 5

Fossil Fuels, Carbon Capture & Storage UCD GEOL40310 1 5

Power System Operation UCD EEEN40080 1 5

Wind Energy UCD EEEN40400 1 5

Advanced Biofuels & Renewable Energies UCD BSEN40190 2 10

Bio-energy and Bio-refining NUIG

Combustion Chemistry and Kinetics NUIG

Energy in Transport UCD MEEN40210 1 5

Engineering Thermodynamics III UCD MEEN40010 2 5

Energy Systems in Buildings UCD MEEN40200 2 5

Materials Thermodynamics and Kinetics UCD MEEN40160 1 5

Advanced Composites & Polymer Engineering UCD MEEN40110 2 5

Nanomaterials UCD MEEN40180 2 5

Energy Storage UL

First and Second Generation Bio-fuels UL

mailto:[email protected]

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Strand 4: Sustainable and Competitive AgriFood Production


Sustainable Agriculture UCD RDEV40490 1 10

Ecology & Evolution Research Seminars TCD BO4106 All year -

Data handing TCD BD7054 2 -

Environmental and Biodiversity Policy TCD BD7051 2 -

Human Impacts with Biodiversity TCD BD7056 2 -

Molecular Phylogenetics UCD ZOOL40040 1 5

Marine Population Biology UCD ZOOL40050 1 5

Soil Ecology UCD AESC40130 2 5

Bioinformatics Applications and Databases UCD COMP50030 1 2 5

Teaching in Higher Education as a Graduate UCD BIOL40100 2 2 5

1 There are a limited number of places associated with this module. For more information, please contact [email protected]

2 This course is only available to students of the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science

Strand 5: Transport & Water Engineering


Transport Ops and Planning UCD CVEN40060 2 5

Structural Modelling (Bridges) UCD CVEN40040 2 5

Public Policy and Planning UCD PEP40070 1 5

Planning & Environmental Law UCD PEP40200 2 5

Water Quality and Hydrological Modelling TCD CE7E05 2 -

mailto:[email protected]


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Strand 6: Economics & Policy Analysis


Time Series Analysis UCD STAT40240 1 7.5

International Trade Law UCD LAW40140 1 10

Environmental Assessment QUB

Policies for Environmental Sustainability QUB

Geographical Information Systems UCD PEP40100 1 5

European Environmental Law UCD LAW40120 2 10

Economic modelling NUIG

Urban and Rural Resource Governance NUIG

Advanced Econometrics NUIG

Philosophy of social science NUIG

Advanced Microeconomics NUIG

International Economics NUIG

Marine Resource Economics NUIG

Economics of Renewable Energy NUIG

Valuation of Environmental Resources NUIG

Energy Economics UCD ECON41710 2 5

Advanced Research in Law UCD LAW50030 1 5

Regulatory Governance UCD LAW40250 2 10

Introduction to Quantitative Research I UCD STAT40470 1 1 5

Prospectus 2011

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Introduction to Quantitative Research II UCD STAT40480 1 1 5

PhD Research Design UCD GSHS50060 2 2 7.5

Transportation Planning UCD PEP40210 1 5

1 Currently, these courses are only available to students of the College of Human Sciences and the College of Business and Law

2 This course is currently only available to students in the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy

The Earth and Natural Science Doctoral Programme has been funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) through the Programme for Research at Third Level Institutions, Cycle 5 (PRTLI-5)

prospectus 2011 earth and natural sciences doctoral programme prospectus v9.pdf · appropriate...

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