BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

GEES1302
Soils, Water, Climate

You will be introduced to the Earth’s key natural resources including minerals, soils and water, and, with the support of laboratory and data and analytical work, explore geochemical cycles and processes to understand the linkages between Earth systems and our changing climate.

GEES1303
Our Ecological Planet: Biodiversity and Ecological Change

You will be introduced to the principles of ecology, including taxa identification, species structure, habitat and biodiversity. You will be familiarised with the concept of environmental disturbance and conservation and, though field studies and data analysis, develop the skills required to understand and investigate global biodiversity and ecological challenges.

GEES1304
Our Polluted Planet

You will be introduced to the global challenge of pollution and study the environmental behaviour and health impacts of significant pollutants. You will develop relevant scientific research skills, including project planning, fieldwork and data analysis, to address environmental pollution challenges.

GEES1305
The Environmental Manager's Toolbox

You will be introduced to the social and economic aspects of global environmental challenges. You will explore solutions through regulation, corporate social responsibility and environmental management systems, equipping you with essential tools to address sustainability issues and drive positive change within organisations, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.

GEES1306
Delivering Sustainability

You will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of environmental sustainability from local to global scales. Through field studies, laboratory work and tutorials, you will explore and present how to take actions towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals and develop strategies to promote a sustainable planet.

GEES1307
Global Environmental Threats

You will consider the environmental and societal challenges of global threats, such as resource use, volcanoes and earthquakes, in the context of sustainability and be introduced to mitigation strategies while exploring solutions. You will source, analyse and describe scientific data and apply advanced statistical analyses to answer globally relevant research questions.

GEES2000
Placement Preparation 0 credits

This module explores the role of placements, work experience and volunteering for enhancing employability whilst at university and as a future graduate. It considers placement options (types, durations) and supports students in developing applications and preparing for interviews.

GEES2301
Environmental Field and Research Skills

Students are guided through environmental study design, data collection, data interpretation and reporting. Students develop their professionalism via collaborative and individual tasks that enhance their teamworking, communication and project management skills. A range of data sources and types are explored, and students gain hands-on experience of field monitoring techniques. This module provides the skills and framework which students can apply to their future independent research.

GEES2302
Environmental Expedition

Students engage in the full cycle of a research project: literature research, hypothesis development, experiment planning, field/laboratory work, health & safety issues, data analysis and presentation. Personal development planning and professional skills are advanced in preparation for and during field work through contact with professionals in the environmental sector.

GEES2303
Environmental Management and Sustainability

The module covers areas of knowledge essential for all students studying an environmentally focussed degree, including; ecological economics, life supporting resources, environmental policy tools and modes of governance.

GEES2304
Environmental Issues and Communication

Through immersion in contemporary environmental issues, this module develops the knowledge and skills necessary to locate, analyse, evaluate and communicate scientific information in a range of contexts and to a range of audiences. Students develop their professional skills, as well as the skills to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and decision makers, from scientific experts to the general public.

OS205
Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment 20 credits

This module will introduce how human activities (such as fisheries, energy supply and mineral extraction) can impact the marine environment, including through pollution and biodiversity loss. The concepts of marine management and conservation will be introduced and methods of preventing and managing anthropogenic impacts will be introduced and evaluated and their role in marine conservation discussed.

OS207
Scientific Diving 20 credits

This module allows suitably qualified students (HSE SCUBA or equivalent) to develop industry and research-relevant skills in measurement and monitoring in the underwater environment using professional SCUBA and related techniques. These will then be applied in a multi-disciplinary context to the planning, execution, analysis and reporting of a field-based sampling activity.

GEES2108
Geographical Information Systems

Module provides grounding in theory and practical techniques of GIS. Lectures are on theory, methods and spatial literacy. Practical work covers stages of handling geospatial data, construction of GIS models and automation, provides exposure to a range of techniques in spatial analysis and visualisation, and gives context and experience to spatial literacy concepts. Knowledge and skills are developed in project work.

GEES2305
Weather and Climate

Understanding weather and climate is essential for developing in-depth knowledge on how climate is changing today and will change in the future. This module will develop intellectual and practical skills in critical analysis of weather and climate data. In addition, an examination of the scientific evidence for current and predicted effects of weather and climate will be addressed.

GEES2306
Natural Ecosystems and Their Conservation

This module introduces students to natural ecosystems, including (but not limited to) biological adaptation, diversity, conservation, regenerative agriculture, restoration and management.

GEES2307
Pollution: Measurement and Mitigation

This module advances students understanding of the challenges, measurement and regulation, and solutions for tackling environmental pollution including contaminant sources, pathways and impacts.

GEES3000
Placement 0 credits

This module is a placement position, where a student undertakes a programme of work within a host company or organisation. The placement occurs within a yearlong period, meeting minimum duration requirements. Students experience applying their degree, experience professional practice, develop enhanced subject-related knowledge and skills, and undergo personal-professional development.

GEES3307
The Environmental Profeesional

A series of real-world scenarios, which typical professionals in the environmental sector are exposed to, will be considered in an objective, scientific and interdisciplinary manner, taking into account a range of stakeholders. The material and professional development will be supported with guest speakers, seminar and workshops.

GEES3308
Global Environmental Solutions

In this module students will take an interdisciplinary solution-based approach to contemporary global environmental issues employing ecological economics and sustainability principles along with environmental governance.

OS307
Marine Conservation Policy and Planning 20 credits

This module explores issues surrounding the maintenance of a healthy marine environment. It will develop an understanding of marine governance, including policy frameworks and agencies responsible for implementing marine conservation strategy. Topics include the range of measures and approaches for successful marine conservation and the importance of taking holistic approaches to management, including policy and planning

OS309
Marine Pollution and Environmental Change 20 credits

This module will consider the sources, transport, sinks and impacts of a wide range of pollutant types (including nutrients, trace elements, sediments, anthropogenic pollutants and carbon dioxide). Practical field techniques will be introduced and used to assess the environmental condition of estuarine waters. Emphasis will be placed on critical evaluating the links between human activities and marine water quality.

GEES3002
Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential

Students embark on novel exploration of critical, real-world challenges in a field context. After exploring key themes, they collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to tackle a core issue through a research project of their own creation. This hands-on experience will sharpen existing expertise and develop transdisciplinary skills, preparing them to face career challenges beyond university with confidence and innovation.

GEES3106
Long-term Environmental Change

Society is dependent on the environment for sustaining life as we currently know it. This module takes a series of environmental challenges and places them in a long-term perspective to place current disruptions in a longer-term context. The module focusses on how we can learn lessons from the past to manage our current and future environment.

GEES3107
Contemporary Arctic and Alpine Challenges

High latitudes and altitudes are warming faster than many other regions of the world. This module takes a contemporary, and forward looking, perspective on the grand challenges that impact the resilience of these landscapes and societies in present and future climates and their associated hazards. Students will learn practical skills to quantify environmental pressures and critically evaluate mitigation strategies.

GEES3109
Big Data & Spatial Analytics

This module provides an overview of advanced spatial analysis concepts and facilitates practice of data processing and management skills. Data manipulation through programming is introduced and the concept of big data is presented. Themes and practice around the acquisition, processing, analysis, visualisation and application of big data are explored, drawing on examples from across the natural and social sciences.

GEES3204
Environmental and Resource Geoscience

This module investigates the interactions between humans and the subsurface, from the impact of industrial legacies on land quality and water resources, to the role that the subsurface plays in renewable energy storage. Students learn to use industry standard software and workflows to evaluate subsurface sites for energy resources, safe subsurface storage of resources, carbon dioxide or hazardous waste.

GEES3206
Environmental Change Through Earth History

This module will demonstrate how the study of past environmental change can be used to help us better understand the impacts of future anthropogenic induced environmental change. Using a range of cutting edge geochemical, palynological, and modelling techniques, students will evaluate past environmental changes events as proxies for the future.

GEES3305
Research Project

An independent research project in a specific aspect of environmental science.

GEES3306
Research Project with English Language Support

An independent research project in a specific aspect of environmental science. Students will attend English language support sessions that apply scientific language in a research context and that aid adaptation to a different culture/ethos of research and plagiarism. Available to non-UK direct entrant Stage 4 students.

GEES3309
Biological Conservation

This module examines the pursuit of biological conservation. Drawing on a wide range of case study material, in temperate and tropical, terrestrial and aqueous environments, the module examines the drivers and rationales for biological conservation, and the role of stakeholders, policies, legislation and practices in achieving it.

GEES3310
Climate Change Action

The module introduces climate change adaptation and mitigation. Biotic and technological mitigation will be explored and evaluated in the context of different geographical settings.