BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Year 1

In your first year, you'll establish solid foundations across a range of scientific, legal and economic subject areas in order to explore environmental challenges and enable you to propose solutions. Field and laboratory work are key, and our residential field course promotes team building and provides you with an opportunity to gain experience with scientific equipment and data interpretation. Your personal tutor will support and guide you throughout the course.

Core modules

• ENVS1001 Carbon in Environmental Systems

• ENVS1002 The Physical Environment

• ENVS1003 The Biosphere

• ENVS1007 Environmental Pollution

• ENVS1008 Environmental Management and Protection

Optional modules

• CHM1014PP Solving Chemical Problems

• GEES1001PP Natural Hazards

• GEES1003PP Sustainable Futures

• OS106PP Our Ocean Planet

• SPNX100PP Spanish 1

Year 2

Year 2 covers core themes including economics and resources, sustainable development, environmental law and policy. Your scientific knowledge and research skills will develop through a residential field course in Malaysia, Malta or Cornwall. Our optional diving module will qualify you for underwater work with the HSE SCUBA certification. You'll also have the opportunity to study the following topics: biodiversity and conservation; climate change; marine conservation; environmental management.

Core modules

• APIE215 Placement Preparation for Environmental Science

• ENVS2001 Environmental Field and Research Skills

• ENVS2002 Environmental Expedition

• ENVS2003 Environmental Management and Sustainability

Optional modules

• ENVS2004 Environmental Issues and Communication

• ENVS2005 Weather and Climate

• ENVS2006 Natural Ecosystems and Their Conservation

• ENVS2007 Environmental Pollution

• OS205 Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment

• OS207 Scientific Diving

Optional placement year

You can take an optional placement year before completing your degree, an invaluable opportunity to gain workplace experience from research institutes, companies and government organisations. Previous placements have included the Marine Biological Association (marine ecology, surveying and conservation), Pell Frischmann (environmental consultancy), the National Trust (landscape and habitat conservation), Kew Royal Botanic Gardens (species inventories), and the Eden Project (ecological studies).

Core modules

• APIE317 Work Placement in Environmental Science

Final year

In the final year, you will develop an understanding of concepts and practice of environmental impact assessment. You’ll learn how to debate and evaluate contemporary environmental issues, and your research project will see you working alongside world-leading scientists in state-of-the-art facilities. A choice of modules across four pathways allows you to pursue interests within the areas of climate change, environmental management and sustainability, biodiversity and conservation, and marine conservation.

Core modules

• ENVS3004 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Environmental Science

• ENVS3005 Global Environmental Perspectives

Optional modules

• ENVS3001 Research Project

• ENVS3003 Research Project with English Language Support

• ENVS3008 Biodiversity Management in Tropical Ecosystems

• ENVS3009 Waste Management

• ENVS3011 Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation

• GGP3204 Biological Conservation

• OS307 Marine Conservation Policy and Planning

• OS309 Marine Pollution and Environmental Change

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.