PhD Programme in Sustainable Development

Programme Structure

This is a four year programme which follows the UCD Structured PhD Framework, incorporating taught modules and a research internship, followed by a program of original research leading to the award of Doctoral (or Masters) degrees by research.

STAGE I - Taught Modules

Taught courses will be concentrated in the first two semesters. In the first semester, students will learn transferable skills and be introduced to the overarching themes of sustainable development. In the second semester students may choose relevant specialist modules. These modules, which are designed to aid the student in developing his/her area of expertise can be taken from within UCD or from our collaborating partner institutions (see list below), subject to availability and to the agreement of supervisor(s).

The Taught component specialisations will reflect the six research themes of the programme:

Biodiversity & Climate Change
Energy Efficient Build and District
Environmental Policy Analysis
Planning and Land Use
Sustainable Water Management
Transportation & Infrastructure

A number of these specialist modules will be available through several contributing partner institutions, who will be making specialist content available to UCD programme students:
Contributing partner institutions:

STAGE I/II

Research Seminars

Every semester for the first three years, all students will present their ongoing research to their classmates. The presentations should combine a mixture of formal presentation (accompanied by slides) and interactive questions and answers. Presentations should be individual efforts. The research seminars are an opportunity for students to present and define the research that forms their PhD. The seminars alternate between UCD Urban Institute Ireland and TrinityHaus.

Professional placement/internship

Students can spend between three and six months in a professional placement. The internship will normally take place in a research-focused national organisation (e.g. Teagasc, Forfas, Comhar) or in a research institute abroad. The internship should be focused on research and should complement the academic programme. The internship should help define and illuminate the subject of the student's academic research and provide students with practical experience of the application of the academic tools and methods contained in the programme. The internship programme is also helpful in preparing students for their subsequent professional careers.

STAGE II - Research and final examination

Students will be required to complete a thesis based on original research, which will form the basis of the final examination. The thesis concludes a programme of research under which students will be required to produce Working Papers, co-author papers with their supervisors, attend conferences, etc. The research component of the degree programme will be based on the new protocols implemented for the UCD Structured PhD. This includes regular meetings with formal supervisory panels, a two-stage assessment of research progress and a student Research and Professional Development Plan which is regularly reviewed.

Outline of Modules and Credits

	Module	Description	No. of credits
Stage I (one year)
Taught	1. Introduction to Sustainable Development	Environmental economics, policy, governance	5
	2. Research methods I*	Research Methods module offered by UCD Colleges/Graduate Schools	5
	3. Research methods II - Professional tools for SD	GIS, project management, integrative models, EIA	5
	4. Interdisciplinary project	General introduction to environmental themes; group project; visitor speakers	5
	5. Research methods III (Seminar series)	One series per semester	5
	6.-7. Specialisation I+II*	Two chosen modules from the following general areas: Environmental policy Biodiversity & Climate Change Planning & Land use Transport & Infrastructure	10
Total taught credits Stage I			35
Research			55
Total credits Stage I			90
Stage II (12-48 months)
Taught	Research Methods II (Seminar series)	One series per semester over two years	10
Internship (may be optional)			10
Research			250
Total credits Stage II			270

Minimum credits required		Taught	45
		Research	305
		Internship	10
		Total	360