Environmental Sciences BSc(Hons)

Overview

One of the major challenges for human society is to understand and address environmental issues resulting from population growth, global climate change and ecosystem degradation. This course applies both theory and practice to produce graduates with a breadth of skills relevant to a career in the environmental sector. Within the course structure students have the flexibility and choice to develop personal programmes of study which suit their interests and ambitions.

Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 6 years
Sandwich: 4 years

UCAS code F901
Course content

Course structure

There is an emphasis on practical and applied learning in a supportive environment. Year 1 provides a foundation for understanding environmental sciences. This introduction underpins a wide range of module options in years 2 and 3, allowing you to focus on areas that interest you most. Emphasis is placed on transferable skills, including a choice of international fieldwork and training for research and careers.
In year 1 fieldwork in Greece examines ecology, environmental management and hazards. Recent destinations in year 2 have included Sicily for geomorphological, vegetation and pollution studies, North Africa for relationships between humans and the environment or South Africa for wildlife conservation and management.
The dissertation project is a major part of the final year and further develops independence in research, analytical and documentation skills. Option modules in each semester provide opportunities to study languages or related sciences. Job-related skills can be enhanced by taking a year-long work or community placement, as well as by studying volunteering and community engagement option modules.

Areas of study

The course is structured around four pathways - environmental management and sustainability; environmental hazards; ecology and conservation, and environmental pollution.

Syllabus

Year 1
Ecological Processes
Field work
Physical Geography
Global Environmental Issues and Management
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Hazards
Skills for Independent Learning
Data Presentation and Analysis for Environmental Scientists
Options
Citizenship for the Environment
Elements of Chemistry
Evolutionary Biology
Fundamentals of Geology
Human Physiology
Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
Interpreting Geological Maps
Mathematical Skills for Scientists
Mineralogy and Petrology
Physiological Ecology
The Global Earth System
The Ocean Planet: an introduction
Modern languages
Year 2
Advanced Data Analysis
Skills for Research and Careers
Biology Fieldwork (Sicily)
Geography Fieldwork (North Africa)
Options:
Alternative and renewable Energy
Applied Palaeontology
Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology
Climate Change
Community Participation and Development
Contemporary Rural Geography
Ecological Techniques
Environmental and Spatial Planning
Environmental Conservation and Management
Environmental Hazards
Environmental Pollution and Control
Evolution and Diversity
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
Fundamentals of Environmental Microbiology
Geographic Information Systems
Geographies of Everyday Life
Ice Age Earth
Independent study module
Introduction to Marine Biology and Ecology
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Sedimentology
Soil and Water Analysis
Structure of the Earth and Global Processes
Sustainable Development
Water in the Landscape
Optional placement year
Final year
Independent Geography or Ecology project
Options
Advanced Analytical Methodology
Air Quality Management
Applied Ecology & Conservation
Applied Remote Sensing
Biogeography
Case Studies in Environmental Pollution
Coastal Environments
Community Participation and Development
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Change in Low Latitudes
Evolution and the Fossil Record
Freshwater Processes and Ecosystems
Geohazards
Geographical Information Systems 2
Hydrogeology
Independent study module
Introduction to Remote sensing
Medical Geography
Molecular Ecology
Oceanography
Planetary Geology
Plant and Animal Interactions
Political Ecology
Water and Health
Wetland Environments
Biology Field Skills
Modern languages
Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
UCAS tariff:
BBB. Must include a relevant science. Applicants with only two full A-levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis.
General Studies will count towards the tariff score.
ND/C (Level 3):
MMM.
International Baccalaureate:
32 points, specified subjects.
QAA-approved access course:
acceptable, subject-specific units.
GCSE (minimum grade C):
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.
Foundation degree/HND
/HNC direct to year 2.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.
Location

Location Moulsecoomb
Career opportunities

There is an increasing demand for numerate, environmentally aware graduates, who are able to adapt quickly and communicate their results effectively. Graduates play immediately relevant roles in nature conservation, recycling and waste management, environmental planning, consultancy and management, or proceed to further study and research.

Visit the careers centre website.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

BSc Hons Environmental Sciences [P2EG001]

UK/EU (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
Island Students (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
International (Full Time) 12,500 GBP
Student views

Hollie Walker

There's a great range of choices and you can steer towards geology, geography, ecology or biology.

This degree enabled me to discover my passion for conservation, ecology and environmental hazards. By my final year I was able to specialise in environmental management and conservation.

Now I am the Red Squirrel Officer for the North East of Scotland, giving me the opportunity to make a real difference to the survival of an iconic native species in Scotland. My job is to raise awareness for the red squirrels’ plight, advise landowners on the best habitat management techniques to help red squirrels thrive and lead a co-ordinated and strategic approach to grey squirrel control.