Threats from the
potential impacts of global climate change and from pollution of the
atmosphere, soils, crops and water resources are serious, with
governments now facing severe difficulties in meeting human
aspirations and expectations for energy supply and lifestyle.
Finding truly
sustainable solutions to real-world problems requires a grasp of
science across elements drawn from chemistry, physics, biology,
astronomy, geology, hydrology, soil science, meteorology,
climatology, agriculture and geography.
This
programme incorporates these disciplines to provide a fully
integrated approach to Environmental Science, engaging students with
topical and challenging issues from the outset. The course
also embraces the broader social and economic issues, helping
students to use their scientific understanding and knowledge
realistically in the context of policy formulation and environmental
management.
Entry
requirements - a
typical offer is BBB at A level or equivalent qualifications.
Normally you should have at least one subject from among Biology,
Geography, Geology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and
Mathematics. After developing the essential broad knowledge
base and understanding in the first year, our modular structure
allows students to align the final stages of their degree programme
with particular needs and career goals.
Educational
aims of the courses
The courses aim
to:
Ø
Encourage students to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the
environment
The courses lay a
broad foundation in the environmental, ecological and (for EEE
students) economic sciences in year 1, recognising that students
will come from a range of backgrounds. These foundations are built
on in years 2 and 3 with more advanced material to demonstrate how
the different disciplines may be successfully integrated to guide
environmental management and policy decisions.
Ø
Train students in the skills required for environmental management
All
academic staff members are research active and their research skills
inform much of our subject-based teaching, showing how theory and
concepts can be applied practically. Students receive training in
both quantitative and qualitative approaches to problem-solving in
the environmental sector, including relevant IT skills.
Ø
Prepare students for employment and further study
Students need to
be equipped with the knowledge base, flexibility and confidence to
tackle problems that they will face in their careers. The courses
encourage students to develop both independent and team-working
skills for problem solving, time management and self-organization,
as well as the written communication and presentational skills
required by those professionally engaged in the environmental sector
and the wider workplace. It also provides an excellent foundation
for those wishing to move on to postgraduate research.
The BSc ES
course structure
offers the
following modules*:-
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
|
Ecology & Economics: a global perspective. (C) 10
credits |
Environmental Monitoring & Assessment. (C) 10 credits |
Research project. (C) 40 credits |
|
Tools
& Techniques for studying the environment. (C) 20 credits |
Environmental Management (C) 20 credits |
Coastal Zone Management. (O) 10 credits |
|
Quantitative Methods for studying the environment. (C)
20 credits |
Applied Ecology & Environmental Management. (C) 10 credits |
Current Issues in Atmospheric Science. (O) 10 credits |
|
Environment Field Project. (C) 20 credits |
Environmental Management Project. (C) 10 credits |
Forest
Management. (O) 10 credits |
|
Ecology for Environmental Scientists I. (C) 10 credits |
Environmental Systems Project. (C) 10 credits |
Wildlife Conservation & Management. (O) 10 credits |
|
Ecology for Environmental Scientists II. (C) 10 credits |
Applied Ecology Project. (C) 10 credits |
Pollution control & Waste Management. (O) 10 credits |
|
The
Earth: An Introduction. (C) 20 credits |
Science of the Aquatic Environment. (O) 10 credits
|
Hydrological Processes. (O) 10 credits |
|
Current Topics in Environmental Science. (C) 10 credits
|
Geographical Information Systems. (O) 10 credits |
Environment & Health. (O) 10 credits |
|
|
Soils
in Environmental Science. (O) 10 credits |
The
Control of Pests & Diseases. (O) (B) 10 credits |
|
|
Introduction to Environmental Law. (O) 10 credits
|
Nutrient Acquisition & Cycling. (O) (B) 10 credits |
|
|
Population & Community Ecology. (O) (B) 10 credits
|
Conservation Biology & Biodiversity. (O) (B) 10 credits
|
|
|
Population, Resources & the Environment. (O)
(B) 10 credits |
Behavioural Ecology. (O) (B) 10 credits |
|
|
Environmental issues. (0) (B) 10 credits |
Global Change Ecology. (O) (B) 10 credits |
|
C =
compulsory, O = optional, B = taught by Biology department.
* Modules
offered may be subject to change |
