MSc in Climate Adaptation Engineering

Course Details

The MSc in Climate Adaptation Engineering at Trinity College Dublin is a cutting-edge programme designed to equip students with the essential skills to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change.

The theme of the programme focuses on Climate Adaptation Engineering in practice, deriving balanced solutions across engineering and the applied sciences. Candidates taking this course will develop a range of technical and practical skills through the core programme modules and the unique collaborative industry-led climate adaptation research project.

This engineering-led programme addresses the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in its curriculum through the modules and the industry-led research project. The course will advance knowledge and the capacity for innovation in candidates to support climate adaptation through sustainable oriented design and effective management of assets and resources in the built and natural environments.

As the 2023 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report outlined, the need for climate adaptation is a core part of addressing climate change impacts across all sectors. To effectively design and deliver balanced engineering solutions that supports climate adaptation for society, a multidisciplinary programme that can also provide graduates knowledge of climate and data science has been established.

As such, this MSc in Climate Adaptation Engineering will enhance the technical capacity of graduates through an engineering-lens, supplemented by important holistic skills to recognise the economic, environmental, and societal considerations in delivering effective climate adaptation solutions.

Programme Aims

Attain fundamental knowledge of current challenges and future goals related to mitigation and adaptation to climate change at local, national and global levels.
Analyse complex engineering and applied science problems to support a balanced and data-driven approach to strategic planning for delivering resilience for both the built and natural environments.
Attain experimental knowledge (quantitative and/or qualitative) to apply scientific and statistical methodologies and tools that help evaluate and support the design of climate adaptation measures.
Perform detailed assessments and informed designs of novel engineering- and nature-based systems to support climate change adaptation in practice.
Effectively work in multidisciplinary settings and maximize the capacity of project teams in the public and private sectors to effectively deliver climate adaptation measures for society.
Produce professional standard reports and presentations as outputs from programme coursework.
Undertake a collaborative industry-led climate adaptation research project that applies programme learning outcomes to support climate adaptation in practice.

Course Structure

Postgraduate Taught Masters of Science

Course Duration and Mode of Delivery

Duration: 1 year full-time
Delivery module: Blended learning
Classroom Based: 90%
Online: 10% (subject to variation based on selected modules)

Core Modules

Introduction to Climate Adaptation Engineering (5 ECTS)
Global Environmental Change (10 ECTS)
Advanced Spatial Analysis using GIS (5 ECTS)
Introduction to Machine Learning (5 ECTS)
Climate Adaptation Engineering Challenge (5 ECTS)
Climate Adaption for Infrastructure (5 ECTS)
Civil Engineering for Sustainable Development (5 ECTS)
Life Cycle Assessment for Engineering Practice (5 ECTS)
Human Interactions with Biodiversity (5 ECTS)
Industry-led Climate Adaptation Research Project (30 ECTS)

Students can then choose two elective (optional) modules, upon availability, related to subjects like Climate Change: Science, Development & Justice, Sustainable Water Supply & Sanitation, Smart Eco-Cities of the Future, Environmental Policy, Water Resource Planning & Climate Change, Energy Policy and Energy Storage, Bridge Engineering, Advanced Linear Models 1, Transport Modelling & Planning, Wave & Hydro Energy, and Wind Energy.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the MSc in Climate Adaptation Engineering will be equipped with the technical expertise and practical experience to excel in a rapidly growing area.

The programme prepares students for careers in both the public and private sectors, including environmental consulting, infrastructure planning, and sustainability-focused engineering and applied sciences roles. Typical employers include sustainability organisations, government consultancies and utility companies and local authorities.

Graduates may also find opportunities in global organisations focused on climate resilience, policy development, and disaster management. With the increasing global demand for professionals skilled in climate adaptation, graduates of this programme will be well-positioned to take on leadership roles in designing and implementing sustainable solutions for a climate-resilient future.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) or above, in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics), architecture, urban planning, or a related cognate discipline. Well qualified candidates or industry professionals from other disciplines, who have attained knowledge and experience; maybe considered for admission.

In case of heavy competition for places or concerns regarding a particular applicant’s suitability, applicants may be interviewed and/ or asked to submit a written sample for assessment.