Course summary

This flexible programme draws from a wide range of scientific disciplines to build a degree that matches your interests and career aspirations. Within your degree you will learn about the individual components of the Earth system, including the atmosphere, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and the role of living organisms within the biosphere, alongside how these individual components interact with each other. Your studies will focus on natural environments and also on how human society has modified the Earth system. Throughout your degree you will be taught by internationally-renowned academics, and will have access to our state-of-the-art laboratories which offer excellent facilities for practical work. In your first year, you will address many of the fundamental themes of environmental science, from understanding hydrology and flood risk to learning about weather and climate. In your second year you will build on themes introduced in Year 1, whilst also applying your knowledge in a residential fieldwork module at Carrock Fell in the Lake District World Heritage Site. This week-long module allows you to learn about the environment first-hand in an informal and practical setting. Additionally, you also have the opportunity to participate in other exciting fieldwork opportunities throughout your degree, from learning about hydrological processes in Devon to the management of alpine environments in Switzerland. From your second year onwards, you begin to specialise by choosing modules that interest you the most, perhaps selecting modules in the areas of energy, ecology or remote sensing. In addition, you will begin to prepare for your third year dissertation project, which gives you an opportunity to research a subject that really interests you. You may choose a project with a substantial fieldwork component or, alternatively, conduct your dissertation through laboratory research or computer modelling. Throughout your degree, considerable weight is placed upon the transferable skills that are highly valued by potential employers. For example, in addition to your subject knowledge, you will also gain communication and information technology skills and will become familiar with data handling and environmental sampling and analysis. This programme includes a fourth year of study which enables you to undertake an extended research project, and you will also be given an opportunity to choose from a range of Master's level modules.