Course Details

Course Code(s):
PDCASUTPAD
/
PDCASUTPBD
Available:
Part-Time
Intake:
Spring
Course Start Date:
January
Duration:
1 Year
Award:
Professional Diploma
Qualification:
NFQ Level 9 Minor Award
Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Course Type: Taught, Professional/Flexible
Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.
Application Deadline:

Contact(s):

Name: Springboard
Email: springboard@ul.ie
Express Interest

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

This programme will open for application in September 2024. Funded places are offered on a first-come first-served basis, but these are limited and are strictly subject to Springboard+/HCI eligibility. Once the funded places have been filled, the course may remain open for those who wish to apply for a self-financed place.

The University of Limerick is pleased to announce the launch of the UL @ Work Professional Diploma in Climate Adaption and Sustainability.  This Professional Diploma aims to arm participants with the key geographic knowledge about our environment and ecosystems – the services they provide for us, and the hazards we face from them – and consider how our society can be more sustainable. It will also provide participants with key digital skills in geographic information systems (GIS) software to enable them to independently analyse problems and propose solutions.

Participants will apply their new GIS skills in a range of scenarios. Additionally, participants will develop the skills to analyse readings, improve their capacity for critical assessment, and communicate their own work in written and digital form.

(M) Microcreds available:

Modules listed within the Programme Content with an (M) beside them are MicroCreds and can be taken independently.

**We are delighted to inform you that funding up to 100% is now available through the Springboard/HCI Pillar 1 initiative. For information on eligibility, go to the Fees section on this page.**

This Professional Diploma aims to arm participants with the key geographic knowledge about our environment and ecosystems – the services they provide for us, and the hazards we face from them – and consider how our society can be more sustainable. It will also provide participants with key digital skills in geographic information systems (GIS) software to enable them to independently analyse problems and propose solutions.

This online Level 9 programme will benefit anyone whose work will have to respond to our changing climate, including planners, engineers, insurance agents, agribusiness workers, scientists, politicians, and policymakers.

Programme Content:

 

 

 

 

 

Semester 1

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS

This module will train students in the use of open source and/or commercial Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to analyse environmental and other geospatial data. Topics to be covered include:

-Types of data: vector (point, line, and polygon), raster, and attribute geospatial data

-Importing primary and secondary data into GIS software

-Choosing and working with geographic and projected coordinate reference systems

-Manipulating geospatial data using geometric, geoprocessing, and analysis tools, including plugins and extensions

-Working with geospatial temporal data

-Illustrating geospatial data through the production of maps and animated images

URBAN ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

This module will explore the range of services provided by ecosystems in urban settings – including provisioning services such as food, regulating services such as water storage and absorption of atmospheric pollutants; cultural services such as recreation; and support services such as nutrient cycling, which enable the other services. Examples will be used to consider how best to support and grow ecosystem services in mutually beneficial ways, such as sustainable urban drainage schemes - nature based solutions to environmental challenges.

MN5141 Future Focused Professional Portfolio 1

This module allows you to demonstrate independent and self-determined learning by creating your own portfolio. It includes a thought leadership seminar series that you will co-create and curate. The seminars' themes will be student-led and revolve around future-focused topics relevant across industry.

 

 

 

 

 

Semester 2

 

 

 

 CLIMATE HAZARDS

This module will examine the nature, extent, frequency, risk, and potential for adaption and mitigation against a range of climate hazards, including flooding, wildfires, landslides, and heatwaves. Drawing heavily on case studies, including media coverage and the academic literature, students will explore these hazards from both physical and social geographic perspectives. They will consider the causes and geographic distribution of these natural events, as well as examining how risk, vulnerability, and consequences vary in different geographic areas due to geology, geomorphology, hydrology, demographics, socioeconomic factors, and more. They will develop the skills necessary to assess the hazardousness of particular geographic areas, to cartographically illustrate risk by creating hazard maps, and to use geospatial data on climate hazards to inform decision-making and strategies for adaption and mitigation.

SUSTAINABILITY (M)

Using a series of contemporary case studies, this module explores sustainability from a variety of environmental and societal (social, cultural and economic) contexts. Topics to be covered include sustainability in transport, planning, tourism, services, and resources; as well as ensuring equality as part of sustainability, considering gender, sexuality, race, and disability, all from a geographic perspective. Examples will be used to consider how best to adopt more sustainable approaches from a practical perspective.

 

MN5152 Future Focused Professional Portfolio 2

This module allows you to create a portfolio demonstrating the development of your reflective practice, evidence-based excellence in applying discipline-specific knowledge in different contexts, and leading discussion on the future of your role.

(M) A MicroCred is a single module within a larger further award (eg. Certificate, Diploma, Masters). By taking a micro-credential you may be eligible to apply for a credit exemption should you progress to study for a further award.

 

Applicants are normally expected to hold a first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalents) and/or have at least 5 years of relevant industry experience.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria may be considered in accordance with the University's policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning. These candidates will be required to submit a portfolio to demonstrate their technical and/or management experience.

What to Include with your Application

  • Qualification transcripts and certificates
  • A copy of your birth certificate or passport
  • If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice

  • If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
    • English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
    AND
    • English language competency certificate

    For more information Click Here

EU - €5,250

Non- EU - €5,250

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)

Springboard/HCI Pillar 1 - Candidates who satisfy the eligibility criteria under Springboard+ can qualify for 90% or 100% funding subject to the availability of places. To clarify eligibility please go to https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility

 

Please click here for information on funding and scholarships.
  1. What would be a good feeder course for a student to go on this programme?

There are no pre-requisites. A background in Engineering, Science, or Geography would be beneficial, but the course is open to all backgrounds.

  1. Who is this course for?

This course will benefit anyone whose work will have to respond to our changing climate; including planners, engineers, insurance agents, agribusiness workers, scientists, politicians, and policymakers.

  1. What types of roles would candidates, considering this course, have held?

This course will benefit people at various organisational roles levels. For example, you could be a transport planner involved in recommending new cycle or road infrastructure, or the engineer designing it, needing to be able to understand and evaluate future flood risk; or you could be their senior manager, and need to know why your project teams are doing things differently than before.