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Course structure

Our Environmental Sciences BSc(Hons) (with integrated foundation year) provides a solid foundation of essential environmental science knowledge alongside optional modules that you choose according to your personal academic and career interests.

From year 2, modules are organised into themes: 

• environmental management and pollution
• ecology and conservation
• earth systems and processes.

You can choose modules from either two or three of the themes.

You will develop subject-specific and transferable skills, including:

• class-based skills (independent learning, debating, presenting, developing an argument)
• laboratory skills (analytical techniques, such as for soil quality, water quality and pollution)
• field skills (applying environmental techniques, devising surveys, monitoring, sampling).

You have the option to enrol on this course part-time, giving you more flexibility in the way you choose to study.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through .

Foundation year

During your foundation year you’ll be introduced to key concepts in biology, geography, environment, geoscience and data handling to prepare you for study at undergraduate level. You’ll also develop your skills in the lab as well as problem solving, analysis and communication.

The range of topics provide a basis for identifying and providing sounds scientific solutions to current and future problems affecting society.

Modules

• Foundation Study Skills

  This module focuses on study skills needed to study a biological, pharmaceutical or chemistry degree, for example testing by experiment and evaluating the results, and key laboratory techniques and safe practice in the lab. You'll also develop transferable skills like time management, effective essay writing, locating sources of information, and presentation and communication skills.

• Foundation Geography, Earth and Environment

  We live in an ever-changing environment, where short- and long-term changes can take place over millions of years or decades. Planetary processes, landscape evolution, environmental adjustment and human occupation all interact with one another. This module will introduce you to the basic principles and philosophies of geography, environmental studies and the geosciences. It will develop your familiarity with scientific terminology and methodologies essential for completion of a geographical, environmental or geoscience undergraduate degree.

• Foundation Biology

  This module introduces the key biological concepts that will inform and underpin your understanding of biological systems and processes. You'll become familiar with the scientific terminology and methodologies needed to study biosciences at undergraduate level, covering topics in human and environmental biology including molecules, cell biology, anatomy, physiology, evolution and ecological processes. 

• Data Handling for Science

  This module introduces the mathematical, statistical and data handling skills that you need for undergraduate study in biological and chemical sciences, and pharmacy. You'll explore key principles and methods and carry out analysis on a range of information, helping you to develop skills in problem solving, analysis and evaluation within defined criteria. 

Year 1

You will develop basic environmental science skills, analysis and field research. 

Modules

Core modules

• Exploring Environments: An Introduction to Geographical and Environmental Fieldwork

  On this module you'll undertake a UK-based residential field course over three working days, supported by lectures and workshops. You'll take part in intensive study and field research skills training in different field environments. Themes that you'll cover include physical geography, environmental geography/ecology and human geography, with an introduction to risk assessment, research ethics and working across difference. 

• Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis

  This module introduces techniques used to analyse geographical and environmental data in both the academic and professional worlds. You'll develop the skills and abilities needed to display data graphically and visually, and to assess patterns/relationships through statistical testing, and geospatial display and analysis. You'll become a competent user of statistical software to support and hone your skills, and in the use and application of geospatial/remote sensing data and associated geographical information systems (GIS) software packages.

• Fundamentals of Physical Geography

  This module provides a theoretical and practical introduction to azonal (tectonic, climatic, hydrological, fluvial, coastal, slope, aeolian, and biogeographical) and zonal (glacial and periglacial) physical geographical systems. You will examine the ways in which these systems interact with and influence human activities, both at the present day and over archaeological timescales.

• Global Challenges: Climate Change and Environmental Degradation

  On this module you'll explore global environmental challenges from natural science and social science case perspectives. Case studies will introduce you to topical and current environmental challenges and you'll examine how some issues may be addressed through interdisciplinary management and mitigation. Alongside lectures, you'll take part in workshops where you'll look at research on contemporary issues that has been developed by students and small group engagement that will help you to deepen your thinking around the subject.

• Academic Learning for Geography and Environmental Studies

  This module will introduce you to academic study, observational and transferable skills for geographers, environmental managers and environmental scientists. You'll be supported in how to learn at university, and in particular, with learning independently. You'll also be introduced to survey design where you'll learn questionnaire and other survey design techniques as your first step towards independent research design.

Options*

• Introduction to Ecology and Conservation

  This module will introduce you to key concepts and principles in both ecology and conservation science – illustrated with case studies. The links between ecology and conservation and also between theory and applied research are emphasised

• Introduction to Microorganisms and Plants

  This module introduces the study of living organisms. You will explore the morphology and physiological adaptions of microbes, virus, fungi and plants, focusing on identifying organisms, their key cellular features and associated processes and functions. You'll also note their links to environments and how they interact with other organisms.

• Fundamentals of Marine and Freshwater Biology

  This module introduces the principles of marine and freshwater biology by examining the evolution  and diversity of aquatic flora and fauna. You'll focus on physical and chemical aspects of aquatic ecosystems, their impact on the populations of organisms that live in the ecosystems, and how organisms adapt to their environments. Practical sessions will cover methods for collecting, handling and analysing scientific data, as well as developing effective science communication skills.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2

You will further develop your analytical and applied skills. This year includes an employability skills development module that will help prepare you for your chosen career.

Modules

Core modules

• Professional Practice for Global Challenges

  In this module, you’ll develop professional competencies in applying geographical and environmental knowledge and skills to address complex, global challenges. You will take part in a collaborative consultancy exercise to improve your employability skills, including creative problem solving, project management, working in diverse teams and reflective learning for professional practice. Learning will be supported through engagement with employers, alumni and staff associated with the Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Works programme.

• GIS and Remote Sensing Principles and Practice

  This module will help you develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of optical Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and apply this learning to real-world situations in the geographical, geological and environmental sciences. You will be encouraged to engage in spatial and digital computing, remote sensing, data handling and problem solving so you become proficient at using remote sensing and GIS software.

• Research Design and Advanced Data Analysis

  This module focuses on growing your understanding of the research process in geography and environmental studies. You will develop data analysis skills, including classification, ordination, parametric and non-parametric statistics and multi-variate analysis, and training will be provided on qualitative methods and approaches such as interviews, focus groups, textual analysis and creative methods. The practical aspects of planning and designing a research project will also be covered so you can design your own research proposal to be carried out in the final year dissertation.

Options*

• Earth Surface Processes

  This module will explore the erosional and depositional processes, landforms and sediments associated with fluvial, glacial/periglacial and aeolian environments. You will learn about the factors influencing the evolution of these environments over timescales from hours to decades. It will also introduce you to key techniques used to describe geomorphic environments, such as flume simulation, particle size/shape analysis and qualitative/quantitative interpretation.

• Environmental Pollution

  This module investigates how society manages pollution in order to protect human health and the natural environment. You'll examine changing attitudes to pollution and how environment management and technology can be used for pollution control. You’ll explore sustainability and technologies in relation to the management of waste, air quality, water, wastewater and noise pollution.

• Sustainable Futures

  This module will introduce you to historical and contemporary debates around sustainability and encourage you to ‘think spatially’ about environmental and social inequalities associated with approaches to sustainability and sustainable development through relevant case studies. Topics might include vulnerabilities and conflicts in water supply systems, food security and food sovereignty. A field visit to Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ will help you explore pathways to sustainability in practice and provide a firsthand context in which to deepen critical engagement with key sustainable development debate.

• Ecology and Conservation International Field course

  The exact content of this module depends upon location as it features a combination of lectures and workshops which take place during an international residential field trip. You will learn ecological census, monitoring and evaluation techniques and how to collect field data while experiencing and learning about the ecology of a specific ecosystem outside of the UK. You’ll be able to design and undertake individual field investigations as well developing your teamwork, communication and presentation skills.

• Geography and Environment International Field Work

  Geography and Environment International Field Work will give you the opportunity to gain practical experience through a range of geographical and environmental studies in exciting, stimulating and novel environments. In this residential field-based module you will experience qualitative and quantitative field techniques across different physical and socio-cultural landscapes outside of the UK. The module will focus on the full scope of field work, from research design to data collection, analysis and presentation.

• Marine and Freshwater Ecology

  This module will develop your knowledge of global marine and freshwater habitats. You will investigate and discuss the diversity of habitats, including lentic, lotic, transitional and marine systems, and explore aquatic systems, from source to sea. The module will cover a range of human-made impacts and conservation issues related to the disturbance of systems and species. A series of one-day field trips will enhance your practical abilities, including survey techniques and identification skills.

• Animal Diversity and Adaptations

  This module will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the vast diversity of the animal kingdom and the various adaptations that have evolved to enable animals to survive and thrive in different, and sometimes extreme, environments. You will explore the principles of animal classification, evolutionary processes and the remarkable range of functional adaptations exhibited by animals.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

The placement year is a great opportunity to:

• put your new skills into action in a real-life work place
• build knowledge of businesses and organisations
• develop existing skills and discover new ones
• make contacts in industry and commerce
• increase your confidence
• improve your time management.

In recent years, our students have been successful in competing for nationally advertised positions with the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Transport for London, the Field Studies Council and the Office of National Statistics. 

Other students have secured placements with environmental firms and consultancies, a multi-national telecommunications company and a renewable energy research centre in Spain.

Final year

The focus in the final year of your degree is your independent dissertation. Working with an expert academic, you will investigate a chosen topic and apply the research methods and analytical skills you have developed.

Modules

Core modules

• Dissertation

  This Dissertation module enables you to conduct a piece of original research on a topic of your choice. It provides an opportunity for deep learning around a specific topic and for the development of expertise in selected research methods and analytical techniques. You will demonstrate independence of thought and an ability to organise and execute an extensive and in-depth geographical, environmental or archaeological investigation. This is undertaken as the culmination of the honours degree.

Options*

• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

  This advanced module on spatial and digital computing will strengthen the data-handling and critical thinking skills you gained in the GIS and Remote Sensing Principles and Practice module. It will teach you the expertise needed to identify and critically examine geographical and wider environmental issues. The module delivers theoretical knowledge and practical skills to help you retain and reapply geospatial information to unfamiliar contexts, so you are able to develop novel solutions and evaluate outcomes.

• Community Placement

  How does change happen at a local level and how does the changing role of the state, the university and the voluntary sector affect this? How can we participate in making a better world? This module addresses these questions through text-based discussions and a 50-hour placement in a non-profit organisation, providing you with the opportunity to reflect and critically analyse the relationship between universities and the community, and the opportunities and challenges faced by community organisations.

• The Humans of Ice Age Britain

  In this module you will explore the past and current theories surrounding human origins and evolution. You will develop a critical understanding of the British Palaeolithic record and the occupation of Britain by various human species over the last million years. Various lines of evidence will be considered including a site-by-site analysis of geology, fossil material, archaeological material, palaeogenetic studies, and evidence for palaeoclimate change.

• Atmosphere, Weather and Climate

  In this module, you will explore the atmosphere, its composition, links to climate change and atmospheric circulation, as well as the impacts of pollution and its mitigation. You will also investigate socio-political considerations. Case studies will be used to illustrate the major problems we face today, with a particular focus on road traffic pollution. During the module, you will take part in a mini air quality assessment project in the local area.

• The Frozen Planet

  The Frozen Planet module examines the processes and resulting land systems associated with glacial and periglacial environments and explores how ice interacts with and physically shapes the landscape. You will learn about glacier motion; glacial and periglacial erosion, transport and deposition; glacial and periglacial hazards; palaeoenvironmental reconstruction; sedimentology and micromorphology; permafrost and ground ice; and periglacial slope processes. The relationships between ice and sea level change, ice and climate change, and ice and engineering will also be explored.

• Water, Sanitation and Health

  Water, Sanitation and Health explores the role of water in the transmission, distribution and control of disease, including its historical context, and categorises the main water-related diseases. You will look at sanitation, public and environmental health, current water-related agents of disease and how these may be affected by climate change. Themed workshops based on emerging water, sanitation and health issues will provide an opportunity for you to develop, debate and present on issues raised in lectures.

• Political Ecology: Contested Environments

  In this module you will explore global environmental challenges through the lens of political ecology which provides a framework for the critical thinking needed to examine power and the politics of nature-society interactions. You will study themes including resource access; property and ecosystem management; colonial-capitalist natures and the rights of Indigenous people; coloniality, extractivism and conflict; socio-natures and urban infrastructures; environmental identities; and political subjectivities.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

  Environmental impact assessment [EIA] is an important phase in the implementation of a developments. In this module, you will examine the policies and practice behind EIA and the techniques and methodologies designed to consider the environmental consequences of activities. Although focused on UK practice, the module considers the evolution of environmental assessment both in the UK and globally. You will undertake a mock scoping exercise of an adjacent brownfield, a highway route ‘optioneering’ exercise and a local field trip.

• Current Topics in Aquatic Environments

  In this module you will examine the major environmental processes that are important to aquatic habitats such as rivers, coasts and marine ecosystems. Site visits will facilitate the critical evaluation of selected aquatic habitats so you can gain an understanding of anthropogenic impacts – for example climate change, renewable energy and over-exploitation of resources – as well as natural disturbances, and explore opportunities for mitigation and restoration of disturbed sites.

• Species Interactions

  The biology, behaviour and ecology of most species are influenced by their interactions with other organisms. This module will help you develop an appreciation for the complexities of relationships between plants and animals, animals and microbes, and plants and microbes. There will be an emphasis on understanding the positive and negative species interactions, including the role of organisms in the spread of disease, as well as researching the nature of interspecies relationships as drivers for ecosystem development.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

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Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £1,850 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

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• Read our student contract and (pdf) for more on University of Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ tuition fees.

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