About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: F900
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: Normally 300 minimum
- Department: Applied Sciences
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time; Four years with placement year
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time, with placement
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Dr Katy Ling
Introduction
This course is for students who want to study the challenging problems facing the world today, such as climate change and sustainable development.
Through the use of an integrated holistic approach to the analysis and interpretation of environmental problems the degree aims to develop your understanding of environmental issues. This will enable you to become a highly skilled practising environmental scientist who is able to suggest practical solutions which are socially acceptable, economically viable and based on sound scientific knowledge. A central theme is the study of the sources of pollutants, their environmental impacts and the managerial and technical controls available to minimise environmental degradation.
The BSc(Hons) Environmental Science is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Graduates are awarded a certificate upon completion of the degree, and can apply for membership of the IES.
Structure
Content
Year 1
All modules are compulsory and provide a foundation for the later stages of the course. They focus on the living world, the physical earth and sustainability and are underpinned by Data Analysis and interpretation which are essential to the study of Environmental Sciences. A residential field course offers the opportunity to investigate a range of natural and semi-natural habitats, as well as introducing you to some of the practical skills required to examine the environment in the field.
Modules are entitled:
- The Living World
- The Earth
- Field and Analytical Skills (Field Trip)
- Environment and Society
Year 2
You study in depth the relationships between human activity and the environment. Compulsory modules include:
- Environmental Skills (Field Trip)
- Environmental Legislation and Decision Making
- Climate Change
- Environmental Analytical Techniques
You may choose one further module from:
- Applied Ecology
- Plant Growth and Survival
- Animals and Ecosystems
Placement
The optional sandwich year involves a period of at least 40 weeks practical training and employment in a suitable working environment in the UK or overseas. This experience is invaluable when you apply for jobs after graduation. Students in the Department have previously worked in industry, government organisations, consultancies and conservation groups. For example, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Environment Agency, and Tongariro Natural History Society in New Zealand.
We encourage everyone to take a sandwich year because we know that relevant work experience greatly enhances your graduate employment prospects.
You may choose to undertake a non-credited sandwich placement or may opt to take the Professional Practice in Applied Sciences module (placement module) which, on successful completion, constitutes 20 credits at Level 3. Both options entitle you to graduate as a sandwich student.
Final Year
In the final year you undertake a research based project on any subject within environmental science. This may be field or lab based or involve science communication and interpretation.
You will also study the following compulsory module:
- Sustainability and Resources
You may choose three optional modules from the following:
- Renewable Energy
- Tropical Forests and Coral Reefs (Expedition to the Caribbean)
- Estuarine and Marine Ecosystems (Field Trip)
- Environmental Forensics
- Environmental Plant Physiology
- Controversial Science and Society
- Placement module
The optional module Tropical Forests and Coral Reefs provides students with the opportunity to explore at first hand these two fragile and globally threatened ecosystems through a residential field trip to the Caribbean. Prior to the field trip, you will usually receive dive training (PADI Open Water) in order to perform coral reef surveys during the trip.
Teaching and learning
Learning is through lectures, seminars and tutorials complemented by laboratory investigations, case studies, workshops and a comprehensive programme of visits and fieldwork exercises. A major feature of the degree is the opportunity to learn in the field through the residential field trips that are offered each year.
Assessment
A variety of assessment methods are used to reflect the range of theoretical concepts, knowledge and practical skills which are developed in this course. These include unseen, open-book and practical exams, essays, practical reports, individual and group projects, oral or visual presentations, case-study analysis, taxonomic collections and problem-solving exercises. All modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. The first year assessments do not contribute towards the final degree mark, which is calculated on the basis of Year 2 and final year results.
Special Features
Fieldwork
Fieldwork plays a key role in studying and understanding the natural world and, as such, is incorporated in a range of modules as both half and full day trips. There are residential field trips during the first, second and final years that range from Cornwall to the Caribbean.
Study facilities
The Department has a full range of well-equipped, specialist, analytical, genomic and computer laboratories, as well as a glasshouse, a project room and a dedicated field centre. There is extensive computer-based support, accessible off-campus, for student learning.
Careers/further study
Environmental issues are important at a local, national and international level and graduates with relevant skills and experience are needed to deal with present and future environmental concerns.
Our environmental science graduates have found career opportunities in a diversity of disciplines with many different organisations. They have developed careers as pollution scientists, water quality experts and environmental managers with organisations that include The Environment Agency, Wessex Water and DEFRA. Some have found employment as environmental consultants, working on renewable energy, waste management or the consequences of climate change. Others have chosen environmental education with the Field Studies Council or have gone on to gain postgraduate qualifications.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Find out what being a water quality scientist involves.
Read how Christopher's placement year helped him start his career as a technician at RPS Water.
Useful links
UWE - careers in environmental management
Guardian - what to do with a degree in environmental science
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: Normally 300 minimum
- GCSE: English Language, Mathematics and Double Science at grade C or above.
- A-level subjects: Grade C or above in a science subject.
- Specific subjects: Science
- Access: The award of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of 30 level 3 credits at merit, of which 15 must be in a Science subject; achievement of level 2 credits giving GCSE equivalence in English Language, Mathematics and Science.
- Baccalaureate IB: 27
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011