Environmental Science (Landscape Ecology)

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 which are of particular importance for understanding the natural environment, together with specialist and in-depth experience of selected topics and an extended opportunity to carry out applied research.

The programme has several specialist routes, as well as a generic programme allowing students to build a tailored programme and slant their degree towards areas of particular interest. BSc Environmental Science (Landscape Ecology) represents a particular pathway on the BSc Environmental Science degree.

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 you will gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the principles of environmental science. Specialisation in the Landscape Ecology pathway comes at stages two and three.

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

Environmental law, research methods, and habitat ecology and management form the core of the second stage. In addition, there is a choice of modules from air and water - processes, contaminated land, biogeography, and a fieldwork module.

Stage three

The research project forms the backbone of the final stage with compulsory modules in sustainable development: land use and planning, and landscape ecology. In addition, there are biodiversity and conservation, and career planning and placement.

• Fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas
• Climate Change, Landscape Ecology and Wastes specialist routes available
• Fully equipped Geographical Information Systems lab
• Work-based components to develop professional skills in the work environment
• Fully-equipped modern laboratory for practical work such as identifying organisms

• Biogeography
• Career Planning and Placement
• Contaminated Land
• Environmental Law
• Habitat Ecology and Management
• Landscape Ecology and Restoration
• Water Resource Management

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.