Master of Science Optical Communications and Signal Processing

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

Numerical models and satellite observation are fundamental to understanding environmental systems and change. The MSc in Environmental Modelling and Data Analysis will provide you with the skills to go on to a career in this exciting area. You will learn how models of environmental processes are developed and applied across a range of areas including climate change, flooding, biogeochemistry and glaciers. You will gain an appreciation of all aspects of environmental modelling ranging from the philosophy of model development, focussing on links to observations and uncertainty analysis, through to more practical aspects such as numerical approximation and algorithm development and testing.

The programme has close links to its twin MSc in Geographical Data Science and Spatial Analytics, which allows students to develop skills in Geographical Information Systems, analysis of satellite observations and Data Science techniques more widely. This will be complimented by hands-on teaching aimed at developing your coding skills in scientific programming and high-performance computing (with access to Bristol’s unique supercomputing facilities).

The MSc is taught by world-leading researchers from the School’s Hydrology, Glaciology and Earth System Modelling research groups. It is closely linked to the School's Geocomputation research strand, which hosts seminars and workshops aimed at consolidating links between environmental modelling and Data Science.

Econometrics is the application of statistical methods to data to estimate economic models. It is used by economists to verify or disprove theories and analyse the impacts of policies and events on the health of the economy. This course combines the study of economics and econometrics with a wide range of optional units.

Econometrics is a vital tool for economists because, unlike natural sciences, where controlled experiments are used to determine the effect of one thing on another, it is impossible to hold the economy constant while tinkering with a single variable. Econometrics provides the scientific means to overcome the issue using empirical observations.

Alongside additional mandatory modules in econometrics and the applied economics dissertation, you will be able to select from a wide range of optional modules from the Schools of Economics, Finance and Management during all three years of your degree.

This four-year course is ideal for those considering scientific careers that will make direct use of their subject-specific knowledge and skills.

Our degrees incorporate units in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The first year gives you a comprehensive grounding in these subjects, while later years focus on atomic and molecular science and its interdisciplinary applications.

You will focus on areas at the interface between chemistry and physics, with limited treatment of organic chemistry and more physical and non-synthetic inorganic chemistry. Similarly, there is very little nuclear and particle physics after your first year but an emphasis on materials science and nanoscience.

As well as lectures and practical classes, small-group tutorials and workshops help develop your understanding of challenging and exciting concepts. Practical labs in both chemistry and physics help develop experimental techniques, computational modelling and programming skills needed in the final year for conducting a research project with a research team.

Develop an understanding of the evolution of life on this planet through the study of geology and biology. Our degrees are interdisciplinary and provide you with a broad background in palaeobiological science, including state-of-the-art methods and technological advances.

Learn from experts with interests ranging from dinosaurs to plants to the origin of life and be fully immersed in hands-on palaeontology from the start.

One third of the first year is dedicated to biology and two thirds to earth science. After the first year you will take core units from both disciplines. In the third year you will carry out a research project, take a range of specialist palaeontology units and select from a range of optional units to pursue your own interests.

Current units include: Marine Micropalaeontology, where you will use microfossils to reconstruct past climates; Macroevolution, where you will learn techniques for analysing the large-scale patterns in evolution; and Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics.

Our MSci course allows you to study more advanced material in greater depth during the additional year, giving you a career boost by investing in your skills development or preparing you for further research.

Our emphasis on quantitative research allows you to develop valuable mathematical and statistical skills. There are also opportunities for volunteer work and internships in our state-of-the-art palaeobiology laboratories.

This course combines philosophy with the study of Russian and provides a valuable skill set that is ideally tailored to the increasingly globalised workplace.

For philosophy you will study units covering introduction to philosophy, logic, and realism and normativity.

For Russian, you will follow a curriculum designed to introduce you to many aspects of Russian studies. As well as following a structured language course, you will study Russian literature, history, thought, politics, linguistics and culture.

Russia continues to assert itself as an independent, powerful political and economic force; Russian expertise has never been more vital in a range of professions.

You will spend your third year abroad, studying or working in a Russian-speaking environment. This will enable you to refine your language skills and cultural knowledge. For further details of year abroad opportunities visit Global Opportunities.

The MSci Pharmacology degree is a four-year degree with an extended research project in the final year. This degree provides the opportunity to gain an excellent knowledge of pharmacology and apply it to experimental research. The extended project will provide valuable day-to-day experience of what it is like to be a researcher and develops the skills required to embark on a career in research.

The first three years of this degree follow the BSc Pharmacology course, with the opportunity to study a number of core pharmacology units in the first two years. These units will introduce you to the fundamentals of drug action and how drugs interact with their targets.

The degree is focused on the pharmacology of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and provides extensive investigation into how drugs are being used in a variety of disorders. You will also be able to choose further units in the first two years, including biochemistry, molecular genetics, infection and immunity, cellular and molecular medicine and mammalian physiology.

Third-year units emphasise the molecular mechanisms of drug action within the nervous and cardiovascular systems. These units are taught from the current scientific literature and will take you to the forefront of current research, which you evaluate by undertaking a literature-based research project.

The final year of the MSci Pharmacology will focus on an extended research proposal within a research laboratory using advanced techniques. Alongside the project you will take units that will develop valuable skills in communicating science to the public and will develop a portfolio of public engagement activities.

This final year will instil a range of skills essential for understanding how to plan and conduct research projects; these skills are widely applicable to future employment and will also benefit those considering future PhD training.

Our teaching philosophy delivers a practical, hands-on and student-centred approach to all aspects of learning. The course will facilitate your journey from school leaver to independent critical thinker and anatomist.

Year one introduces the principles of comparative anatomy and the structure of the major mammalian body systems. Teaching involves some dissection and study of human and animal prosected cadaveric specimens.

Year two covers detailed medical and veterinary anatomy and allows you to specialise in medical or veterinary anatomy by dissection. Units in the second year emphasise clinical relevance and application throughout.

In year three you will follow a seminar-based course in which you will be actively involved in expert-led discussion of the latest anatomical research. The key focus of this year is an original research project aligned to your future ambitions. Our course in research skills will give you all the tools you need to complete your project.

A personal and professional development theme runs through the degree course and equips you with essential transferable skills for future employment.