Environmental Sciences BSc(Hons)

How this course is delivered

COVID-19 has changed everything. We’ve made some changes to the way our courses are taught to keep everyone safe and that will help you stay connected and involved in university life.

From the start of term in September, you’ll learn through a blend of on-campus and digitally enabled remote learning that will provide lots of opportunities to interact and engage. Together with carefully managed access to libraries, labs, workshops and studios this means your studies are as collaborative, practical and flexible as possible.

Course structure

Our Environmental Sciences degree provides a solid foundation of essential environmental science knowledge alongside optional modules that you choose according to your personal academic and career interests.

From year 2, modules are organised into themes: 

• environmental management and pollution
• ecology and conservation
• earth systems and processes.

You can choose modules from either two or three of the themes.

You will develop subject-specific and transferable skills, including:

• class-based skills (independent learning, debating, presenting, developing an argument)
• laboratory skills (analytical techniques, such as for soil quality, water quality and pollution)
• field skills (applying environmental techniques, devising surveys, monitoring, sampling).

You have the option to enrol on this course part-time, giving you more flexibility in the way you choose to study.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 1

You will develop basic environmental science skills, analysis and field research. 

Modules

Core modules

• Fundamentals of Physical Geography

  This module provides a theoretical and practical introduction to azonal (tectonic, climatic, hydrological, fluvial, coastal, slope, aeolian, and biogeographical) and zonal (glacial and periglacial) physical geographical systems. You will examine the ways in which these systems interact with and influence human activities, both at the present day and over archaeological timescales.

• Global Environmental Issues

  This module introduces pressing global environmental issues which you'll explore through natural science and social science case studies. The module focuses on scientific, social, economic and political aspects of current and past environmental issues and examines how some of the issues may be addressed through interdisciplinary management and mitigation.

• Academic Learning and Field Skills

  This module will introduce you to academic study skills, fieldwork skills and transferable skills for geography and environmental sciences. The module will support you in how to learn at university, and in particular, with learning independently. You'll also take part in a residential field course where you will learn field data collection and analysis techniques, methodology design and how to present research findings.

• Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis

  This module will introduce you to a variety of techniques utilised in both the academic and professional world for the analysis of geographical and environmental data. Emphasis is placed on developing skills and abilities to graphically/visually display data and assess patterns/relationships through statistical testing, and geospatial display and analysis. The module will introduce you to and allow you to become a competent user of statistical software.

Options*

• Diversity of Life

  This module will provide an integrated approach to the study of living organisms. Beginning with a study of taxonomic principles, you will explore the cell biology of selected examples of microbes, plants and animals, focusing on cell structure and organisation. Practical and field exercises help bring the subject to life.

• Introduction to Ecology and Conservation

  This module will introduce you to key concepts and principles in both ecology and conservation science – illustrated with case studies. The links between ecology and conservation and also between theory and applied research are emphasised

• Introduction to Marine Biology and Ecology

  This module will provide an overview of the major taxa of marine organisms, their diversity, ecology, biology and evolutionary relationship. Origin of life, evolution of marine life, living fossils and specific adaptations to marine habitats will be highlighted. You'll also be introduced to the biogeochemical processes that operate within the marine environment and how they relate to the ecology of oceans.

• The Earth and Ocean System

  In this module you will explore and discuss the four ‘spheres’ of the Earth system: the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, and how they interact to produce the stratigraphic record of Earth history.

• Urban Geography

  This module will introduce you to key concepts, debates and issues in the sub-discipline of urban geography. It aims to provide you with detailed knowledge of the character and history of selected cities and urban settlements, drawn from both the Global North and the Global South, and their place within wider systems. Case studies of cities, towns and urban settlements seen as exemplifying social, cultural, economic and political processes of urban change and patterns of urbanisation will be explored.

• Past Landscapes and People

  This module introduces key concepts surrounding past societies and the way they viewed, interacted with, and changed their environment. You will explore the techniques and theories that archaeologists use to engage with the past, and how the subject of archaeology interacts with physical and human geography. You will explore human impacts on past environments and put how the modern landscape has been created through the human activities into context. 

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2

You will further develop your analytical and applied skills. This year includes an employability skills development module that will help prepare you for your chosen career. Fieldwork includes opportunities in Sicily or South Africa

Modules

• Geography fieldwork (or biology field course, as specialist option) 
• Skills for Research and Data Analysis with Dissertation Planning
• Professional Practice

Options*

• Human Origins and Evolution
• Prehistoric and Ancient Societies
• Community Engagement
• Social and Cultural Geography
• GIS and Remote Sensing: Principles and Practice

Theme 1: Environmental management and pollution

• Environmental Pollution
• Sustainable Development

Theme 2: Ecology and conservation

• Behavioural and Evolutionary Biology
• Physiology of Organisms
• Managing Populations in Ecology and Conservation

Theme 3: Earth systems and processes

• Paleoenvironments
• Earth Surface Processes
• Ice Age Earth
• Climate Change

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

The placement year is a great opportunity to:

• put your new skills into action in a real-life work place
• build knowledge of businesses and organisations
• develop existing skills and discover new ones
• make contacts in industry and commerce
• increase your confidence
• improve your time management.

In recent years, our students have been successful in competing for nationally advertised positions with the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Transport for London, the Field Studies Council and the Office of National Statistics. 

Other students have secured placements with environmental firms and consultancies, a multi-national telecommunications company and a renewable energy research centre in Spain.

Final year

The focus in your final year is your independent dissertation. Working with an expert academic, you will investigate a chosen topic and apply the research methods and analytical skills you have developed.

You also have the opportunity to undertake an optional research field skills module in Brazil.

Module

• Dissertation (or ecology project)

Options*

• Tectonic Geomorphology
• Humans of Ice Age Britain
• Political Ecology: Contested Environments
• Community Engagement
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
• Aquatic Environments
• Research Field Skills, Brazil

Theme 1: Environmental management and pollution

• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Water, Sanitation and Health
• Waste Management and the Circular Economy
• Atmospheric Environment

Theme 2: Ecology and conservation

• Species Interactions
• Ecological Impact Assessment
• Hot Topics in Ecology and Conservation
• Current Topics in Marine Ecology

Theme 3: Earth systems and processes

• The Frozen Planet

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Meet the team 

Dr Raymond Ward, course leader

I mainly research the impacts of global change (climate change, pollution, anthropogenic degradation) on coastal ecosystems from a geomorphological, ecological and geochemical perspective. I work extensively throughout Brazil, Argentina, Estonia, and the Arctic. I am a member of the Blue Carbon working group in Brazil developing research and implementing projects related to carbon mitigation strategies within coastal environments.

I use a wide variety of techniques within my teaching and incorporate case studies from my own research and experience to provide a background to the topics and theories I am teaching, principally focused on coastal environments and sediment analysis. Students are often invited to participate in current research projects, which can be linked to dissertations.

Prof Chris Joyce, Professor of Ecology

I am director of the Centre for Aquatic Environments with over 25 years of ecological research experience focusing on wetland ecology, management and restoration.

I think it is important to recognise the critical role humans play in shaping ‘natural’ systems through their relationships with nature conservation. This is a key theme in my research but also in my teaching, which often involves students discussing contemporary conservation issues, for example in mock press conferences or conventions. 

I am passionate about fieldwork, teaching field-based ecological skills such as plant and wildlife identification, ecological surveys and sampling, habitat mapping, and interpreting the landscape. I have taught such skills in many habitats, including ponds, rivers, sea shores, salt marshes, floodplains, grasslands, woodlands and urban environments, and during residential field courses in the UK and abroad. I also like to make use of the local area for teaching, such as Cuckmere Haven. 

Prof James Ebdon, Professor of Environmental Microbiology 

I am an Environmental Microbiologist interested in the role of water in the spread and control of water-related diseases. I'm particularly interested in how we can protect human health and aquatic environments. 

My teaching draws heavily on current and recent research projects investigating water quality in Africa (UNICEF), Asia (Gates Foundation), and South America (Santander, British Council, Newton Fund).  

Much of my teaching also involves a fieldwork component to ensure students have a sound grasp of methods used for water quality monitoring. Students who take these modules come from a variety of disciplines including environmental science, geography, biology, chemistry, ecology, civil engineers and geology. Getting students with different, often complementary skillsets to work together across disciplines is useful preparation for the work-based challenges that await them beyond university.

Find out about the rest of the course team

Prof Rebecca Elmhirst, Dr Corina Ciocan, Dr James Cole, Prof David Nash, Dr Niall Burnside, Dr Aggeliki Georgiopoulou, Dr Sarah Purnell, Dr Ryan Woodard, Dr Lorna Linch, Dr Mary Gearey.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,290 for home students and £2,076 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Environment and Technology are listed here.

• Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
• Where taught residential field trips are optional, a contribution will be required towards travel and accommodation. This will vary depending on where and how long the field trip is but you should budget approximately £1,500.
• The independent mapping project is a mandatory part of the Geology BSc(Hons) involving independent fieldwork that is undertaken in the summer between years 2 and 3. The cost of this fieldwork is not included in the fee, and you will need to meet this additional cost yourself.
• Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £100.
• If you choose to take an optional paid placement you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
• You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available. from the University of Brighton
• In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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.

All field trips are included in the course fee, except the South Africa expedition,which incurs an additional cost of around £800. Exact costs can be requested from the course team. 

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps