Environmental Science

The BSc in Environmental Science is grounded in a conviction that the environmental challenges of the 21st century – climate change, biodiversity loss, water and air quality, soil degradation, the energy transition, and the just management of land – are inherently interdisciplinary in nature, and that the graduates best placed to address them combine rigorous scientific training with strong analytical and applied skills, an understanding of policy and governance contexts, and a capacity for ethical, evidence-led judgement.

The course philosophy rests on four interlocking commitments:

• First, that environmental science is a problem-driven discipline: you will learn the underpinning physical, chemical and biological processes through your application to real environmental questions, rather than as decontextualised theory.

• Second, that field- and laboratory-based learning are the foundations of scientific competence: you will develop confidence and proficiency by handling instruments, sampling environments, working with messy data, and making independent judgements about evidence.

• Third, that data fluency (particularly in geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing, environmental modelling and emerging AI-supported analytical techniques) is now a defining capability of an environmental scientist, not an optional add-on.

• Fourth, that environmental science cannot be taught in isolation from the social, political and economic systems within which environmental decisions are made; you will therefore be expected to develop the ability to communicate with non-specialists, work with stakeholders, and understand the regulatory and policy frameworks that govern environmental practice.

Course Modules

Check out "visit our course page link" underneath the provider information section at the bottom of this page for the most up-to-date information about what you will be studying.

he course adopts an active, applied and evidence-led approach to learning and teaching that reflects the philosophy set out above. Teaching is structured around three integrated modes: classroom-based seminars and workshops; laboratory and field-based practical work; and independent and supervised research and project work. The proportion of practical and applied learning increases progressively across the levels, in line with the development of student autonomy and competence. You will be assessed in a variety of ways.

Field teaching is integrated into modules at every level, exploiting the regional and on-campus environmental assets described elsewhere. Laboratory teaching draws on the existing wet-chemistry, soil, microscopy and bioscience laboratories within Geography & Environment and Natural Sciences, supplemented by phased investment in advanced analytical capability. GIS and data-analytic teaching takes place in dedicated computing facilities equipped with industry-standard software.