Course Overview

Research activity/research clusters
Environmental research is undertaken by a wide range of disciplines including Botany, Chemistry, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Microbiology, Physics and Zoology and these should be referred to for further detail. Research areas covered specifically by Environmental Science are given below.

Programmes Available

MSc (full-time)
MSc (part-time)

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Associated

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

Candidates for the degree of PhD or MSc by research must have reached a high honours standard (minimum H2.2 [or equivalent international qualification] for an MSc) at the examination for the primary degree or presented such other evidence as will satisfy the Head of School and the College of his/her fitness.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Research Areas

Agri-environmental research:

  • Determination of High Nature Value farmland in Ireland. 
  • Effectiveness of agri-environmental schemes in delivering biodiversity objectives. 
  • Biodiversity of upland farms in relation to differing farming practices.

Biodiversity:

  • Climate change impacts on biodiversity. 
  • Ecological investigations of rare or endangered species including the Kerry Slug, Carabus clatratus (ground beetle), the otter. 
  • Use of terrestrial invertebrate species (Diptera, Carabidae, Arachnidae) as bioindicators of habitat quality.

Biological control:

  • Investigation of the use of potential biological control of agricultural pests and diseases. 
  • Determination of optimum growing conditions of marsh flies (Diptera : Sciomyzidae) for use in the control of mollusc pests. 
  • Behavioural studies on the feeding behaviour of biological control agents.

Habitat management:

  • Effects of forestry practices on biodiversity. 
  • Sustainable management of protected coastal dune systems impacted by tourism. 
  • Grazing effects on upland habitats.

Wetland studies:

  • Development of sustainable management practices for peatlands, fens, flood meadows and turloughs. 
  • Impacts of agriculture and urban development on wetland function. 
  • Peatland restoration and rehabilitation techniques. 
  • Waste management.

Researcher Profiles

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,750 p.a. (€5,890 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€15,000 p.a. (€15,140 including levy) 2024/25

Extra Information


EU Part time: Year 1 €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25


All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy of 140.

Contact Us

Dr. Mike Gormally
T +353 91 493 334
E mike.gormally@universityofgalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/applied_ecology_unit/