Environmental Geoscience

The exciting nature of environmental geoscience means you will have a diverse learning experience during your years with us.

What you learn will depend on the courses you take, and the nature of the topics explored.

Your programme begins with a broad foundation in topics across Earth sciences and the environment.

You will:

• build on this foundation while exploring new topics in the following years

• develop independence and confidence as you progress through your studies

You can find details for compulsory and option courses through the 'Programme Structure' link below.

Study pathways

Most of the courses in your first and second years are shared with our range of Earth science and environment degrees.

This gives you the flexibility to switch between degrees as you discover the subjects you like best.

You will then specialise in the subject of your choice in later years.

Switching degrees

Our Earth science and environment degrees provide opportunities to switch between degrees in your early years. However, some later courses may not be available if you have not taken the necessary pre-requisite courses. You should discuss your interests with your Cohort Lead to make sure that these options are still available to you.

Option courses

One of the best things about a Scottish undergraduate degree is the amount of electives (called 'option courses') you can study. You have the opportunity to take courses outside your degree in Years 1 and 2.

You can choose courses related to your degree. Or you can try something completely different and new to you.

Changes to teaching and learning

We are committed to offering high-quality education to all our students. However, there may be changes to course options and delivery. All decisions are made to make sure we can provide the highest standards for your educational experience.

We try to provide a wide range of optional courses to choose from but these can be changed or cancelled at short notice. Course capacity and timetabling constraints can limit places on optional courses. Therefore, we cannot guarantee every offer holder their top choice of optional courses.

Data innovation

A key feature of our programme is a focus on developing your skills around the generation and analysis of scientific data through a range of computational techniques.

Along with your subject-specific skills, you will develop valuable transferable skills allowing you to:

• use advanced computing and data skills

• think in 3D and 4D

• integrate spatial and temporal information

• understand processes on a range of scales

• extrapolate hypotheses based on small data sets

• extract key information from complex sets of observations

• assess large data sets

• express ideas and arguments via a range of platforms, including social media

• deal with complex systems and uncertainties

Changes to field trips

Field course locations may change for various reasons, including the health and safety of our students, staff and communities, and to make sure we can maintain the highest standards for your educational experience.

Where suitable, fieldwork will be relocated or rescheduled. We will also look at alternative arrangements that will make sure you achieve the quality learning outcomes of your degree.

We will announce any changes as soon as possible.

Accessibility on field trips

We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you cannot attend all trips or only some of them, we will provide alternatives with similar learning outcomes where necessary.