ObjectivesThis 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 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.
All modules are compulsory and provide a foundation for the later stages of the course. Modules are entitled: The Living World, The Earth. Environmental Field Course, Microbiology 1, Policy Making and Environmental Economics and Scientific Enquiry. 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.
Year 2
Students study in depth the relationships between human activity and the environment. Compulsory modules include: Environmental Skills and Environmental Legislation and Decision Making. You may choose three further modules from: Applied Ecology, Sustainable Futures, Environmental Pollution, Plant Growth and Survival, Cell Biology, Genetics, Presenting Science or a modern language.
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 School 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 and the Environment Agency. There are also good opportunities for sandwich placements overseas.
Students 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 may choose four optional modules from a range that includes: Sustainable Environmental Biotechnology, Environmental Toxicology, Environment and Sustainability Assessment, Pollution Management, Tropical Forests and Coral Reefs, Estuarine and Marine Ecosystems, Industrial Health and Safety, Environmental Plant Physiology, Business and the Environment, PPM (placement module) or a modern language.
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 (PAD1 Open Water) in order to perform coral reef surveys during the trip.