BSc (Honours) Environmental Science
UCAS code
F750Attendance
Full-time
Three years full-time or four years full-time (including one year work placement or year of study abroad)At a glance
Develop an understanding of natural environmental process and environmental techniques and prepare for careers in the utilities and conservation industries. You study nature from natural and social science perspectives, attending field trips in the UK and abroad to countries including Croatia. You can also enhance your career prospects with a years placement with organisations such as British Energy and Natural England.
Key points
Respond to a need in industry for environmental science graduates.
Attend field trips in the UK and abroad.
Learn from a lecturer team with international and national experience.
Gain international experience studying at one of our partner universities overseas.
What is environmental science?
Environmental science is understanding how the planet works in providing resources and absorbing our actions. Industries and governments want to reduce their impact on the environment. They need professionals familiar with
interactions between natural systems
development of sustainable management of natural resources, waste and energy
past, present, future human influences on the environment
a broad knowledge of environmental changes, natural hazards and disasters
About this course
Study environmental science on a course that prepares you as a professional environmental manager, consultant or scientist. Become familiar with natural environmental processes as well as the latest environmental techniques.
The interdisciplinary nature of this subject encourages an understanding of principles from the natural and the social sciences. You also develop professional skills in areas including report writing, presentations and information technology.
Teaching methods range from lectures and seminars to projects and field trips in the UK and abroad. Field visits and project work are carried out at sites in and around Sheffield and the Peak District National Park, and across the UK. There are opportunities to take one week residential field visits to the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Our staff have all worked in aspects of environmental management and retain strong links with the industry. Many of them sit on the committees of local, national and international organisations, or are involved with
environmental science and management consultancies
Environmental Advisory Committee to EU and national governments
Natural England
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
Peak District National Park Authority
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
Association of National Parks
This means you get to draw on practical experience and your course materials are kept up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry.
You get to put what you have been taught into practice in the workplace with a one year paid work placement. Thanks to our excellent links with industry we can find you placements with major companies in the UK and overseas such as Peak District National Park Authority British Energy Natural England a range of development agencies.
International experience can offer you exciting additional career routes, and on this course you can study abroad at one of our partner universities for a year, or for half of your work placement year. If you study at a partner university in the EU, Erasmus grants are usually available. We have international links in countries including France Germany Czech Republic Austria Spain Canada Australia.
To support your international placement, you can study a foreign language through an optional module.
Key areas of study
This course gives you an awareness of
past, present and future human environmental influences and concerns
the interactions between the natural life support systems of the planet
management of human-induced environmental changes, hazards and disasters
sustainable development in managing natural resources, waste and energy production
Associated careers
You can find careers in public and private organisations such as manufacturing, development, monitoring and service industries water and other utility companies local and national government international organisations environmental consultancies.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
Course content
Year one core modules
earth and environmental sciences environmental issues the human effect understanding landscapes
Year one options
physical geography introduction to ecology and biodiversity sustainable construction and design foreign language
Year two core modules
research methods energy and waste coastal geomorphology
Year two options
Two from conservation ecology Mediterranean coastal environments (a residential field trip in Croatia) geographical information systems short work placement foreign language
Year three
optional work placement or year of study abroad
Final year core modules
environmental analysis and assessment atmospheric and water quality dissertation
Final year options
One from environmental applications conservation management people and environment natural hazards geographical information systems environmental field project (a residential field trip in central Europe) foreign language
Assessment
continuous assessment written assignments examinations project work
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
Five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
280 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.
Access at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
If English is not your first language you need an IELTS average score of at least 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in all skills.
We may consider advanced entry HND/HNC students for direct entry to year two.
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
2013 entry requirements
Five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
280 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award. We accept AS levels and general studies, and consider Key Skills.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of professional bodies and mandatory UK field trips are included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk