MSc/PgDip Hydrography - Course overview

KEY FACTS

Title
MSc/PgDip Hydrography
Award
Master of Science - MSc
Study mode
Full-time (Part-time route available)
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2013
Fees
See fees information above

Aim of the programme

This programme provides you with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding Oil rig at dusk - supplied by Gwyn Jones

of the scientific and technological basis of hydrography, relevant to research and development needs in the exploration and management of marine resources.

Hydrography is the branch of marine science concerned with the measurement, description and depiction of the nature and form of the seabed. It has been crucial to the development of world trade and to offshore expansion in the search for hydrocarbons.

This programme has been developed in response to expressed commercial need and graduates are sought after throughout the industry. It will provide the foundation for a career in hydrographic research and development, port and offshore/nearshore surveying and environmental support. You will develop an understanding of the present state of knowledge relating to hydrography in the fields of marine geophysics, oceanography, acoustics, geodesy, and marine resource management. You will consider the wider aspects of hydrography and the implications for data capture, data management, processing, and information systems.

Plymouth benefits from the local marine environment and the programme places great emphasis on learning via original practical research. You will experience a variety of techniques and methods of data collection and analysis relevant to careers in hydrography. As well as benefiting from our close links with industry, you will gain an appreciation of the relationships between the different areas of study as the programme is composed from a number of different disciplines. Finally, you will gain the knowledge and skills to enable you to design, develop and implement a research project at postgraduate level.

Professional accreditation

MSc Hydrography is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, the Chartered Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors and as FIG/IHO Category A.

WHY STUDY HYDROGRAPHY?

A certain combination of modules is recognised as having ‘Category A’ professional status by the International Hydrographic Organisation and the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG/IHO).
Develop skills and experience in current survey techniques and applications.
Commercially focussed programme aimed at the requirements of industry.
Industrial shortage of trained hydrographers.

Infrastructure support

The research vessel, "Falcon Spirit" is used for demonstrations and one-week practicals within Plymouth Sound. Technician support includes the skipper for "Falcon Spirit", computer, electronic and survey technicians. A dedicated postgraduate computing facility is provided on the same floor as the MSc Hydrography base room. Laptop computers with modern survey equipment and current acoustic sensors, satellite positioning and land survey equipment are available for use on "Falcon Spirit" and elsewhere.

The programme has access to a wide range of acquisition and processing software and a range of survey instrumentation, which is often supplemented by industrial support, in the provision of state of the art equipment. Each year there is also a series of industrial speakers and demonstrations of the latest technologies which are incorporated into the programme so as to enhance your educational experience.

Learning and assessment

The first 12 weeks are an intensive period of classroom learning and field activities to ready you for both the technical aspects of surveying and the research requirements of masters study. Assessment is by continual assessment/coursework; these have analytical and individual elements to give evidence of achievement at masters level.

The second 12-week period is more relaxed, offering the opportunity for wider reading in the three option modules. There is both coursework and examination (the latter occurring in a further three week revision and examination session).

The dissertation is assessed by two examiners and reviewed by an external examiner. The student should be exhibiting abilities at individual research and critical assessment.

Key features

Strong links with the relevant professional institutions and industry provide a vocationally focussed education and practical skills appropriate to the survey industry.
Practical ‘hands-on’ approach utilising modern equipment and technology.
University’s own survey vessel used for fieldwork on Plymouth Sound, complete with current equipment and software.
Excellent employment record.
Benefit from the local marine environment.
International student cohort.

PROGRAMME TEAM

Mr Gwyn Jones completed 15 years offshore industrial experience prior to moving into academia, where he has since completed an MRes in Sustainable Environmental Management.
Dr V J Abbott has completed an MSc in the operation of coastal management in England and Wales and a PhD determining appropriate datasets for coastal management in the South West.