Environmental Science

Are you passionate about understanding the processes that shape all aspects of our natural environment? Perhaps you've already spent time in the industry and now you're ready to focus your energies into a more specific area of the environmental sciences?

Explore your fascination with the world around us on our 4-year BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with amazing opportunities to pursue your specific interests via our Environmental Biology and Environmental Science with Archaeology pathways.

You won’t find a better classroom in which to study than the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. With outstanding locations such as the newly inscribed Flow Country World Heritage Site (the first peatland World Heritage Site), Cairngorms National Park, and many more, we have, undeniably, one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’, all set in the spectacular natural habitat of the Scottish Highlands.

Develop core scientific and analytical skills through your course work, with access to specialist and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities across the university network. During each year of study you will have the opportunity to choose modules with lab and field residentials at a variety of locations throughout the region, including an international field trip in year 2. These modules are a key part of the course, allowing you to develop your lab and field skills while working in some of the most outstanding habitats in Scotland and Iceland.

For a 5-year study option that includes a 1-year industry work placement, please see our MSci Applied Environmental Science.

Module outline

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Introduction to biology

• Introduction to environmental science

• Laboratory skills and practice

• Scientific research and careers

You will also pick from the below core modules depending on your pathway:
Environmental Biology/Environmental Science pathways

• Fundamental chemistry

• Introduction to global environmental issues

Environmental Science with Archaeology**

• Archaeological theory and method

• Science and archaeology

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Environmental processes

• GIS for Scientists

• Practical skills in field ecology

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Environmental conservation

• Sustainable development approaches in an international context

Environmental Biology/Environmental Science pathways
You will also study the following core modules:

• Applied chemistry in environmental systems

• Aquatic environments

Environmental Science with Archaeology**
You will also study the following core modules:

• Excavation skills

• Wetland archaeology

Year 3 - BSc

Environmental Biology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Applied genetics and genomics

• Assessing environmental impacts of development

• Climate science

• Environmental monitoring

• Introduction to data science modelling

• Peatland ecology

Environmental Science pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Assessing environmental impacts of development

• Climate science

• Environmental monitoring

• Introduction to data science modelling

• Peatland ecology

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Forests for people: policy and practice

• Remote sensing

Environmental Science with Archaeology pathway**
You will study the following core modules:

• Archaeological science

• Assessing environmental impacts of development

• Introduction to data science modelling

• Peatland ecology

• Practical environmental archaeology

• Remote sensing

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

Environmental Biology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Animal behaviour

• Conservation of biodiversity

• Dissertation

• Environmental science in practice

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Agroecology and regeneration food systems*

• Applied marine ecology

• Investigating human impacts on freshwater ecosystems

• Natural hazards and mitigation*

• People, plants and animals*

Environmental Science pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Advanced monitoring skills

• Dissertation

• Environmental science in practice

• Sustainable energy and waste minimisation

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Agroecology and regeneration food systems*

• Applied marine ecology

• Climate and marine resource modelling

• Investigating human impacts on freshwater ecosystems

• Natural hazards and mitigation*

• People, plants and animals*

Environmental Science with Archaeology pathway**
You will study the following core modules:

• Biomolecular archaeology

• Dissertation

• Environmental science in practice

• People, plants and animals*

• Sustainability past and present

*Not available to international students on this pathway
**Environmental Science with Archaeology pathway is not available to International students requiring a visa to study in the UK

This outline reflects the modules as currently delivered and is subject to change.