Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) - MSci

Foundation year (Year zero)

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Biology in Practice
• Chemistry in Practice
• Skills for Science
• People and Science.

You will undertake your Foundation year alongside students from our other Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences courses, and therefore may be able to transfer to a course in one of these areas at the end of the Foundation year.

The normal expectation is that you must pass all Year zero modules before progressing to Year one.

Year one

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Life on Earth
• The Earth
• Environment and Society
• Field Skills.

Year two

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Earth System Science
• Environmental and Field Techniques
• Ecology and Ecosystem Protection
• People and Environmental Change.

Year three

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Research Project OR Dissertation Project
• Resource Security and Sustainability.

Plus four of the following optional modules:

• Scientific Frontiers and Enterprise
• Forests and Agricultural Systems
• Marine Ecosystems
• Remote Sensing and GIS
• Tropical Expedition
• Energy Technologies
• Professional Practice in Applied Sciences*
• Environmental Forensics
• Science Communication.

Final year

• Research with Impact
• Sustainable Futures
• Research in Practice.

*compulsory module if you choose to undertake a placement.

Course teaching is interactive. The topics introduced in lectures, seminars and tutorials are deepened and enriched through laboratory workshops, fieldwork exercises and case studies. A major feature of the degree is the opportunity to learn in a range of diverse environments through the residential field trips offered in all years.

Teaching is closely linked with world-class environmental research. You will learn from leaders in their field, working in areas such as the conservation of bird's nest ferns in rainforests, the decontamination of water in Third World countries and the use of plants to measure radiation levels.

We take a student-centred approach to learning. You will receive one-to-one guidance and individual feedback throughout your course. In your fourth year of study, you will undertake a research project working closely with an academic supervisor in your chosen area of interest.

In your final year, you will gain advanced research skills through being part of an existing research team at the university. You will undertake a major research project in your chosen area of specialisation at the cutting edge of environmental science research.

For more details, see our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

A variety of assessment methods are used to reflect the range of theoretical concepts, knowledge and practical skills developed during this course. These include unseen, open-book and practical exams, essays, practical reports, individual and group projects, oral or visual presentations, case-study analysis and problem-solving exercises. All modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and exams. The foundation year and first year assessments do not contribute towards the final degree mark, which is calculated on the basis of Year two, Year three and Final year results.

For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.