About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: FJ79
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 300
- Department: Geography and Environmental Management
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time; four years sandwich
- Delivery: Full-time, sandwich, part-time (not day release)
- Programme leader: Wendy Woodland
Introduction
Would you like to understand the climate science behind the headlines?
Would you like to help society find sustainable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Would you like to be employed in one of the most rapidly-expanding sectors of the economy?
If so, then this degree is for you. Climate change is likely to remain at the top of the political agenda as predictions of future climate change and its likely impacts become clearer. Energy management is key to helping us mitigate and adapt to climate change and the low carbon and environmental goods and services (LCEGS) sector is predicted to continue to grow for the forseeable future (read more here). This sector has a shortage of qualified professionals and this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in this field.
Structure
Content
Climate change is central to the course. You will study past climates and learn how predictions are made for future climate change. Further core modules address energy technologies (eg fossil fuels, renewable energy and nuclear energy), energy and climate policy, and energy conservation. In your final year you may choose modules such as renewable energy, sustainable and environmental biotechnology, and pollution management to develop either a broad training in energy management or a specialism in a single sector of energy demand. Throughout, you will develop analytical, communication and business skills ready for the professional workplace.
Year 1
You take four modules that together consolidate your knowledge of climate change and introduce you to the different sectors of energy management. Climate change is taught holistically through the modules 'Environmental Challenges' and 'Energy, Society and Climate Change'. Elementary approaches to energy management and climate change mitigation are covered in 'Healthy Sustainable Communities', which includes an overseas residential field course. You are expected to contribute to the cost of the field trip, but the trip is subsidised by the Department. Core skills in numeracy and problem-solving are developed in 'Scientific Skills and Technology'.
Year 2
Your knowledge of climate change is developed further in 'Climate Change: Tracing the Record', which places recent climate change into a longer-term perspective. Energy management continues through 'Energy Technologies for Climate Mitigation', 'Energy Conservation', and 'Energy Futures: Policy and Application', which includes a foreign field course, currently based in Spain. You are expected to contribute to the cost of the field trip, but the cost is subsidised by the Department. You will also develop industry-standard skills in 'Project Management: Health, Safety and Risk Assessment'.
Optional placement year
Because this is a rapidly-developing employment sector we encourage you to take a placement after your second year to gain valuable industrial experience. Your placement connects university with work, allowing you to apply the principles and techniques of academic study to a professional environment. A placement develops your appreciation of the practical relevance of the material taught during the first two years of your course and provides you with experience to enrich your final year options and dissertation. We offer support and guidance to help you find a placement, and you may be visited by a tutor who will also be available if you have any problems.
Final year
Non-placement students complete an independent 'Final Year Project' on a topic related to their academic programme under the supervision of a member of the teaching team. Returning placement students complete an 'Individual Project' relating to their placement; this might focus on improvement or change in a business or management-related activity in their placement organization. You will also take a core module in 'Global Warming and Environmental Hazards' and select two other modules from a range of options which may include: Sustainable Resource Management; Water and Energy Futures; Renewable Energy; Energy Management in Buildings; Environmental Impact Assessment; Controversial Science and Society.
Modules are regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain up to date and relevant, so some of them may change before the course starts or whilst you are on it. However, the overall aims and broad content of the course will remain the same.
Teaching and learning
Modules are assessed through various combinations of examinations, coursework, essays, projects, presentations and field exercises. Most coursework is undertaken individually but there are some group assignments. Examinations take place in the first, second and final years.
Study time
The course is normally studied full-time. If you study part-time, you can choose how many modules to study each year. Your timetable will be constrained and determined by the teaching pattern for those modules.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
The course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). The IES is a leading professional body for professionals and academics in the environmental science field.
Professional accreditation of a course indicates that teaching, learning and research is aligned to high-quality professional development. In its accreditation report, the IES praised the course for:
- its highly innovative programme with cutting edge work;
- its strong emphasis on the development of skills;
- the good practical experience offered;
- a graduate development programme which assists personal development and career planning.
IES Student Membership
You can apply for the special grade of Student Member of the IES free of charge. You may then use the post-nominal StMIEnvSc. You can download the Student Membership Pack here.
The IES identify the benefits of student membership as:
- The experience of being part of a long established and highly reputable environmental science professional body
- The use of the post-nominal which signals your professional commitment to future employers or customers
- Firsts steps on an environmental career path which could take you to Chartered Status
- Access to the members area on the IES website, including news about jobs and events
- Electronic copies of the latest’ edition of the journal Environmental Scientist with opportunities to publish articles in it
- Monthly newsletter
- Preferential opportunities for internships at the Institution's offices in London
- Free or reduced entry to IES events
- No cost to you
Study facilities
The teaching staff provide a friendly, enabling environment for learning. They are active researchers or industrial consultants who are aware of modern advances within the discipline. They combine research and knowledge exchange with teaching to provide a stimulating learning experience. Teaching is mostly by lectures, supported by small-group practicals and seminars.
Laboratory classes, workshops and field visits are important elements throughout the course. You will have 24-hour access to computers; supplementary module material is available from the University's virtual learning environment, hosted by Blackboard. You will also use a range of well-equipped general laboratories, dedicated field, earth sciences, environmental change and environmental physics laboratories, and a wide range of specialist equipment at appropriate stages in your course.
Careers/further study
With excellent prospects in commercial, industrial and public sectors, you could be employed as a biofuels advisory manager, a carbon consultant, an energy consultant, or a climate or energy policy advisor. Rob Hopkins, a graduate of one of our environmental management courses, was named 'Grassroots Campaigner of the Year' in The Observer Ethical Awards 2009. He has been highly influential in the Transition Movement, helping communities to works towards being sustainable and self-sufficient.
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 an energy manager involves.
Read Gemma's story of becoming a climate change and sustainability officer.
Useful links
UWE - careers in environmental management
UWE - careers in environment, exploration and physical resources
To see climate change-related jobs, visit acre resources or green energy jobs.
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: 300
- GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above.
- Relevant subjects: Geography, Environmental Science, Maths, Physics, Business Studies, Design and Technology
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in Maths and English Language.
Entry requirements
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about entry requirements.
The course is suitable for applicants from a broad range of backgrounds. An 'A' Level in Maths or Physics would be advantageous, plus Geography or a subject with significant science content (for example Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry). You can join us from an Access course, or if you do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements but have significant life and/or work experience you will be considered on an individual basis.
Fees
Details regarding fees and funding are available on the Money matters webpages.
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
Applications for all part-time undergraduate programmes are made direct to the University. Application forms are available from Admissions and International Development.
We welcome applications from students without the conventional entrance requirements but who do have substantial relevant work or other experience and whose motivation and skills would enable them to succeed on the course.
Students with disabilities
We welcome applications from people with disabilities.
We are committed to supporting students with disabilities, and wherever possible we will make reasonable adjustments to these activities to enable students with disabilities to successfully complete the course. We encourage applicants to disclose any disabilities or support needs in their application forms, so that we can offer information, advice and support. There is a Disability Service at UWE Bristol and a Disability Support Co-ordinator in the Department.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011