Water is a key resource globally, nationally and regionally. As the world population increases, as per capita demand for water increases, and as governments increasingly are forced to act to protect water, the demand for scientists and managers to monitor and manage water and the natural systems dependent on it is only going to increase. The programme seeks to provide an authoritative source of training which will be recognised nationally and internationally.

This degree programme is built on research expertise which has been engaged in Water Framework Directive (WFD) preparation for almost 10 years, and reflects the status of water as a key strength in Dundee which draws together staff in many apparently diverse disciplines. Staff lecturing on the programme have professional backgrounds in hydrology, water law, freshwater ecology, planning and resource management.

The programme involves many expert practitioners coming to the university to lecture and lead seminars, especially in relation to flood hazard management. Scotland has been recognised as leading European thinking on implementation of the Directive, so the involvement of key personnel representing the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the insurance industry, environmental consultancies and planning authorities will benefit course participants.

Many of the academic staff on the programme are involved in the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science - the UK's only UNESCO Centre, based at the University of Dundee. The Centre is an exciting interdisciplinary centre providing many opportunities for water-related research in projects worldwide.

Aims of the Programme:

To provide participants with opportunities to:

- Develop a detailed understanding of the science necessary for the achievement of sustainable catchment management (SCM).

- Develop skills appropriate to a career in SCM, including technical skills such as the appropriate use of hydrological modelling software.

- Develop an awareness of the linkages between hydrology, ecology, legal and planning frameworks relevant to SCM.

- Critically evaluate the policy positions of different groups concerned with SCM, e.g. representatives of the environmental regulatory, wildlife and insurance sectors.

- Gain insight into the dependencies between monitoring, environmental assessment, and environmental management decisions.

- Gain experience of the difficulties of achieving sustainable catchment management objectives in practice and the importance of local details, thereby promoting deeper understanding of the means by which SCM can realistically be achieved.

Exchange Opportunities:

Students accepted on to the programme have an exciting new opportunity to study in Australia as part of their degree. The University of Dundee has funding available from the European Union and the Government of Australia to enable students to spend five months of their degree programme studying courses at the Universities of Adelaide, South Australia, Flinders, Central Queensland and Deakin.

This exchange programme will provide you with an invaluable opportunity to gain an insight into Catchment Management practices in Australia, and will greatly benefit your future career.

Career Opportunities:

There is currently a serious shortfall in training provision for sustainable catchment management. This is a process demanded by the EU Water Framework Directive (2000) and the Floods Directive (2007). Therefore, graduates from the programme are expected to meet good career prospects.

Dissertations may be organised using contacts within organisations employing graduate water specialists, and participants will have other opportunities during the year to make direct contact with employers. Staff are able to provide advice on many organisations within which graduates of other Dundee programmes are already employed, in conjunction with the University's Careers Service.