MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM)

The postgraduate Programme (MSc) in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) is the first dedicated postgraduate programme on the topic in Cyprus, Greece and possibly in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The master in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management adopts a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach for the study and assessment of impacts on the environment and the management of sustainability.

The MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) aims at providing advanced knowledge to those, whose objective is to become expert professionals and leaders, either in the public or private sector. Recent trends in the field of environmental impact assessment and management of sustainability, for example the new European Directive 2014/52/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, especially co-funded projects, instruct that the experts involved in the preparation and review of the environmental impact assessment reports should be qualified and competent. Furthermore, the demand for environmental experts is growing, suggesting that being skilled is no longer sufficient. Thus, there is great potential and opportunity for professionals of various scientific fields to shift and gain expertise in the field of environmental impacts assessment. The MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) at Neapolis University in Cyprus is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge in becoming environmental impact assessment experts, hence allow them to play a significant role in this sector, in Cyprus and abroad.

The curriculum of the MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) is designed to provide the necessary knowledge regarding aspects of the various Plans (Strategic Environmental Impacts Assessment) and Projects (Industrial, Land Development, Oil and Gas, Infrastructure, Marine and Coastal, etc.), evaluate their impacts on the environment and therefore manage any sustainability issues. Furthermore, the curriculum provides up-to-date knowledge in a number of diverse areas and covers multiple and essential subjects. Courses equip students with technical, analytical, critical, ethical, as well as accountability and leadership skills. This allows them to enhance their decision-making ability and promote environmental protection, business competitiveness and viability, within the context of a continually changing economic environment.

The MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) brings together theory and practice and includes exposure to the latest methods, procedures and techniques used in the field of environmental impact assessment, as well as various technological solutions necessary for the purpose of environmental protection

During lectures modern means and teaching methods are implemented which include the students’ participation, workshops, team work and cooperation between students, so as to develop their abilities and skills for team work and cooperation, qualifications that are required and necessary in the field of the assessment of environmental impacts.

The Master is appropriate for people seeking leading positions in the public or private sector in environmental impact assessment of Plans and Programmes; in environmental impact assessment of Projects; management of sustainability; natural resource management; environmental economics; environmental modeling; sustainability science; sustainable development; procedures for environmental impact assessment; environmental compliance; environmental management; environmental advisory services; environmental and sustainability consulting. It also provides valuable education to those seeking a broader base for careers in project improvement and development, GIS, sustainable urban planning, environmental economics and environmental law.

Structure of the ΜSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) The ΜSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) is distributed in three semesters. The first and the second semester include courses that constitute tools for the achievement of the Programme’s targets. The ΜSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) is completed with a Dissertation, giving students the opportunity to deepen on a subject of their choice and to cultivate their research skills. The total number of credits required for the successful completion of the Programme is 90 ECTS.

First semester

Students of the Postgraduate (ΜSc) Programme in Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainability Management (EIASM) become familiar with environmental legislation and policy, the theory, methods and procedures to be followed for the assessment of the impacts on the environment, urban planning and sustainable development, as well as with the importance of formulating strategies for different sectors and assessing their environmental impacts (strategic environmental impact assessment).

Second semester

Students become familiar with the principles, the science and the management of sustainability, environmental economics, environmental modeling and geographic information systems (GIS), as well as with the assessment of the environmental impacts derived by various categories of projects. Finally, the postgraduate dissertation seminar provides students with the skills and knowledge to produce a scientifically documented and comprehensive research and Dissertation.

Third semester

It consists of the research and Dissertation of each of the students on a subject of special interest that he / she chooses. It is the opportunity for each student to compose his / her knowledge and explore new issues. Each student chooses a supervisor who guides him throughout the semester to the final presentation of his Dissertation.

Bachelor of Science Degree or Equivalent

The University reserves its right to define the electives offered on an academic year basis.

The programme structure may change without prior notice, as a result of quality assurance procedures or/and programme recertification.