Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

Bachelor's degree

In Liverpool

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Liverpool

Our Environmental Science degree provides a wide breadth of study opportunities from across the School of Environmental Sciences. Our degree is designed to give you an understanding of both natural and human induced environmental problems. All of our modules centre on real world issues and application, such as food security, climate change, energy security, pollution and natural hazards. In addition to bespoke environmental science classes, our degree allows you to choose from a range of modules in geosciences, ecology, physical geography, and oceanography, so that you can shape your degree to suit your particular areas of interest and career pathway. Focusing on applied skills that are relevant to careers in Environmental Science, you will gain expertise in monitoring, modelling and managing the environment. From your first week to your final year, field classes and laboratory practicals are an integral part of your learning, and provide a firm grounding in the latest techniques and technologies in Environmental Science. You will learn through a combination of individual and group work, including practicals in our purpose built (£23 million) Central Teaching Laboratories. In addition to making the most of Liverpool’s coastal location, you will have the opportunity to undertake fieldwork in locations such as Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire, Peak District, Portugal and California. Year One

In order to give a strong foundation to your degree all students take core modules in Year One which help introduce you to the breadth of the subject, and to provide the key ideas which inform the rest of the course. Core modules include Ecology and Conservation, Theory and Laboratory Experiments in Earth Surface Processes, Evolution and Biodiversity, Experiments in Physical Geography, and Laboratory and Field Techniques for Ecologists. In addition, you can choose other optional modules from within geosciences, ecology, physical...

Facilities

Location

Start date

Liverpool (Merseyside)
See map
Chatham Street, L69 7ZH

Start date

On request

About this course

Entry Requirements A level offerABB Subject requirementsTwo Science A Levels required. We are happy to accept the following: Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. BTECD*DD in a relevant diploma. International Baccalaureate33 points, with no score less than 4 including 2 Sciences at Higher Level. Irish Leaving CertificateA1, A1, B1, B1. Scottish Higher/Advanced HigherNot accepted without Advanced Highers at grades ABB. Advanced Welsh...

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Subjects

  • GIS
  • Security
  • Credit
  • Teaching
  • Quality
  • Ecology
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Global
  • Systems
  • Employability
  • Quality Training
  • IT Security
  • Climate
  • Physical Geography
  • Environmental Science
  • Conservation
  • Skills and Training
  • Environmental Regulations

Course programme

Module details Programme Year One Compulsory modules

Ecology and Conservation; Theory and Laboratory Experiments in Earth Surface Processes; Evolution and Biodiversity; Experiments in Physical Geography; Laboratory and Field Techniques for Ecologists; Study Skills and GIS.

Optional modules

Living with Environmental Change; Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks and Fossils; Marine Biology  Life in the Seas and Oceans; Maths and Physics for Environmental Scientists; Marine Ecosystems - Diversity, Processes and Threats; Ecology and the Global Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Ocean Chemistry and Life; Climate, Atmosphere and Oceans; Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics, Minerals, Magmas and Volcanoes; Microbiology; Animal Biodiversity.

Compulsory modules
  • Study Skills and Gis (ENVS100) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Whole Session Exam:Coursework weighting 0:100 Aims

    To develop essential study and disciplinary skills required by Geographers, both for their current studies and future employment.

    • Introduce students to key approaches/concepts and ideas in Geography
    • To help students identify and effectively employ appropriate sources of data and information
    • Develop students'' study skills and provide essential training for subsequent years
    • Develop students'' personal transferable skills.
    • To enhance student employability and make students aware of the key skills taught throughout the programme relevant to career and employability development.
    • To introduce the application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to Environmental/Social Science
    Learning Outcomes

    Ability to record field observations and ideas.

    ​Use IT tools to find accurate and up to date information.

    Undertake independent GPS data collection.

    ​Demonstrate basic GIS interpretation and analysis techniques.

    Plan and structure written work to University standard.

    Ability to critically evaluate academic publications.

    Prepare and deliver poster presentations.​

    Awareness of the importance of early planning for employability enhancement.

  • Experiments In Physical Geography I (ENVS120) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 0:100 Aims

    The module uses laboratory experiments to allow students to gain firsthand experience of some fundamental physical, biological and chemical processes underlying physical geography, aimed primarily at interactions between people and their physical environment. It is designed to provide a foundation for environmental modules in the second and third years.

    It also aims to provide training in careful observation, appropriate handing of liquid and solid samples, and correct use of analytical instruments. Throughout there is emphasis on quality control via replication and reference materials, and appropriate use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Learning Outcomes

    Learning outcomes are threefold

    • A deeper understanding of processes that underlie the interaction between people and the physical environment
    • Specific knowledge in the use of selected important analytical instrument; and general knowledge about the principles and practice of accurate and precise measurement
    • Appropriate treatment of data, including quality control, graphical representation, and statistical analysis
  • Ecology and Conservation (ENVS157) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 70:30 Aims

    Aims Using certain key themes, to introduce students to the complex and multifaceted nature of environmental issues and ecological science, particularly stressing the interrelationships between their biophysical and human dimensions.

    To encourage students to manage their own learning.

    Learning Outcomes

    Learning Outcomes Students completing this module should have:

    an appreciation of the complexities and multifaceted nature of environmental issues.

    an understanding of land-use change, its history, the main drivers and their interactions.

    an overview of natural disasters and irreversible environmental change.

    an introduction to the politics of natural resources and energy.

    a basic understanding of ecological principles,

    an understanding of the complexities of conserving biodiversity.

    an understanding of the scientific debate about evidence for global climate change, the possible socio-economic impacts of various climate change scenarios, and possible ameliorative measures.

  • Theory and Laboratory Experiments In Earth Surface Processes (ENVS165) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 50:50 Aims

    The module uses a lecture and laboratory-based problem-solving approach to explore some of the fundamental physical and chemical processes underlying physical geography. It is designed to provide a foundation for environmental and physical geography modules in the second and third years.

    It also aims to provide training in careful observation, appropriate handing of liquid and solid samples, and correct use of analytical instruments. Throughout there is emphasis on quality control via replication and reference materials, and appropriate use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Learning Outcomes

    Learning outcomes are that students have a grounding in:

    · The core processes and landforms underlying major geomorphic systems

    · Long term environmental change – Pleistocene and Holocene

    · A deeper understanding of processes that underlie the interaction between people and the physical environment

    · Specific knowledge in the use of selected important analytical instruments; and general knowledge about the principles and practice of accurate and precise measurement

    · Appropriate treatment of data, including quality control, graphical representation, and statistical analysis

  • Laboratory and Field Techniques for [marine and Terrestial] Ecologists (ENVS171) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 0:100 Aims

    This practical module will provide training in a range of ecological skills in field work and will have a wide application to many fields of environmental science including modern biology, ecology and physical geography. Techniques taught include identification of plants and animals, communities and measurement of selected ecological processes. You will learn quantitative skills in field ecology and how they can be used to solve fundamental and applied problems. You will also learn quite a lot of ecology at the same time.

    Learning Outcomes

    At the end of this module students should be able to: (assessment method in parentheses)

    • Work safely under lab and field conditions (Field and lab books).
    • Describe plant and animal communities and relate these to environmental factors (Lab books, field books and exam)
    • Sample plant and animal communities and relate these to environmental factors (Lab books, field books and exam)
    • Appreciate landscape and ecological features (Lab and field books)
    • Measure and understand the relevance of ecological processes (Lab books, field books and exam)
    • Identify selected plants and animals (Lab books, field books and identification tests in exam)
    • Investigate animal behaviour (Field notebooks and practical report)
    • Apply a quantitative approach to field science (Lab books, field books, practical report and exam)
Optional modules
  • Climate, Atmosphere and Oceans (ENVS111) Level 1 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 80:20 Aims

    Introduce the climate system, the atmosphere and ocean:

    • Address how the climate system varies and how climate is controlled by radiative forcing;
    • How the structure of the atmosphere is determined and how the atmosphere circulates;
    • How the structure of the ocean is determined and how the ocean circulates;
    • How the atmosphere and ocean vary together.
    Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge and Understanding

    a. Understand how physical processes operate within the climate system, the atmosphere and the ocean.

    b. Appreciate the complexity of the climate system, the effect of radiative forcing, the concept of feedbacks, how rotation affects the circulation; the differences between currents and waves.

    c. Gain awareness of the similarities and differences between the atmosphere and ocean.

    2. Intellectual Abilities

    a. To be able to evaluate the relative importance of different physical processes in the climate system

    b. To develop critical skills in transferring insight gained from one problem to another problem, such as how the atmosphere circulates from one planet to another planet.

    3. Subject Based Practical Skills

    a. Perform simple order of magnitude calculations and make inferences from the results.

    b. Understand the use of dimensions.

    4. General Transferable Skills

    a. Application of numbers, involving order of magnitudes and dimensions.

    b. Time management.

    c. Problem solving.

    30. Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lectures and Coursework. Lectures address issues in the climate system from a process point of view. The coursework reinforces the lecture material: 6 coursework exercises require the students to simply explain how processes operate, make speculations as to the relative importance of different processes, and perform simple calculations and make inferences. The coursework is marked and returned in the following week that the work is handed in.

    31. Syllabus 1-24

    Lectures 1-6. Block 1: Climate System (6 lectures)

    Climate system of the Earth, atmosphere and ocean.

    Climate records. Possible causes of climate variability.

    Heat transfer and radiation models.

    Radiation balance for other planets.

    Feedbacks in the climate system.

    Lectures 7-13. Block 2. Atmosphere (7 lectures)

    Composition and structure of the atmosphere.

    Clouds and water vapour.

    Understand motion on the rotating Earth.

    General circulation in the tropics and mid-latitudes.

    Weather systems, fronts and clouds.

    Atmospheric circulation for other planets.

    Seasonal cycle in the atmosphere.

    Lectures 14-21. Block 3. Oceans (8 lectures)

    Properties of water and seawater.

    Observing the ocean and inferring the circulation using water masses, time-dependent tracers,geostrophy and satellite measurements.

    Vertical structure of the ocean

    Seasonal cycle in the ocean.

    Formation of water masses.

    Deep circulation over the globe.

    Upper circulation over the globe:gyres, eddies and fronts.

    Waves and tides.

    Lectures 22-24. Block 4. Climate variability (3 lectures)

    El Nino and Southern Oscillation

    North...

Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

Price on request