Environmental Science

Three years full-time or flexible part-time over a longer period.

This inter-disciplinary programme provides a science-based degree focusing on the scientific concepts and principles for understanding the natural environment, together with specialist and in-depth experience of selected topics and extensive opportunities to carry out applied research.

The programme has specialist routes available for those interested in climate change, landscape ecology or wastes. The programme also offers a generic route allowing students to maintain a wide interest in several areas.

Field and lab-based activity is an important component of the course. Avenue Campus has a nature reserve and there are also excellent habitats nearby that are used for practical work.

In the first stage students will gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the principles of environmental science. Core content at stage two includes research methods and environmental law, although it is at this stage that students are encouraged to specialise in one of three areas: Climate Change, Landscape Ecology or Wastes. Stage three contains a number of specialist options depending on the route chosen.

Stage one

Students are introduced to a range of basic scientific concepts and theories of environmental science and the development of laboratory and fieldwork skills.

Stage two

Air and water pollution, environmental law and research methods form the core of the second stage. In addition, there is a choice of modules which can allow specialisation in Climate Change, Landscape Ecology or Wastes.

Stage three

The research project forms the backbone of the final stage. In addition, there is a wide choice of modules related to applied aspects of environmental science.

• Opportunities for practical work both in labs and in the field
• Fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas
• Climate Change, Landscape Ecology and Wastes specialist routes available
• Opportunities for undertaking practical work in Geographical Information Systems
• Work-based components to develop professional skills in the work environment
• The course uses a fully-equipped modern laboratory for practical work such as identifying organisms

• Air and Water - Principles, Processes and Applications
• Biogeography
• Career Planning and Placement
  
• Contaminated Land
• Environmental Law  
• Habitat Ecology and Management
• Landscape Ecology and Restoration
• Wastes Minimisation and Recycling
• Water Resource Management
• Weather and Climate

A wide range of assessments are used including laboratory and field reports, oral presentations, time-constrained tests, as well as end-of-stage examinations.

This programme provides the knowledge and skills necessary for a career related to environmental science. Graduates from this and other similar degree programmes at The University of Northampton have found employment in a wide range of organisations including the Environment Agency, Anglian Water,  Natural England, the Wildlife Trust, local authorities, and with wastes management companies/consultancies. Other graduates have gone on to further study, such as research degrees.