Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  This interdisciplinary degree provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of environmental science and to recognise its relevance to society at national and global levels. You will learn how environmental science can be used to help understand both natural and human-caused environmental change and the role that individuals, organisations, and governments play in addressing such issues.

  Partnerships and Accreditation

  This programme is accredited by The Institution of Environmental Sciences.

  The University of Northampton are also proud to work in partnership with RECOUP. RECOUP works in collaboration with all stakeholders to promote, develop, stimulate and increase the levels of plastics recycling within the UK.

  Course Details

  This flexible, interdisciplinary course allows you to follow a programme with modules drawn from across the subject of environmental science. You are then able to specialise in particular areas of interest in the second and third year or continue to study a more varied programme.

  You will undertake a wide variety of activities and encounter new challenges that help support your theoretical learning. The need for accuracy, critical evaluation, and the ability to research solutions and apply them in new ways, as well as being able to communicate findings to a variety of audiences, are vital skills for environmental scientists.

  You will examine research design and methodology in relation to field and laboratory work including data collection and quantitative analysis techniques. Statistical tools will be used and developed throughout the course to ensure that you are confident and are able to apply appropriate procedures for different sets of data.

  We use field and lab based activities to ensure that you develop a range of scientific concepts and theories that are transferable and sought after in a variety of employment areas.

  Assessments

  A wide range of assessment is used including field surveys, reports, oral presentations, field reports and time constrained tests as well as end of year examinations.

  • Stage 1
    • Air and Water - Principles (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV1001

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide an appreciation of the nature of air and water and the physical and chemical processes governing their characteristics in an environmental context. It provides a basis for a fuller appreciation of the Level 5 module Air & Water - Processes and Air & Water - Applications.
    • Introduction to Ecology (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV1002

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides an introduction to the science of ecology. It considers basic ecological concepts and principles and focuses on individuals populations interactions (between species) communities and ecosystems.
    • Biodiversity: An Introduction (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV1012

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is an introduction to biological classification and diversity using the Six Kingdom classification as its starting point. The module introduces a range of organisms discusses the way in which they are classified by systematists their interrelationships and the ways in which they are adapted to their environments. It also discusses the significance of these groups in relation to ecosystem function
    • Environmental Science Practical (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV1016

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides fundamental basics of physical chemical and biological concepts and principles relevant to a scientific approach to the study of the environment. Students will acquire the skills necessary to plan conduct and report on environmental science investigations including collecting recording and analysing data using field and laboratory techniques.
    • Principles of Wastes Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV1111

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to wastes management.
    • The Physical Environment (20 Credits)
      Module code: GEO1107

      Status: Compulsory
      The Physical Environment provides an introduction to the study of the physical (abiotic) environment familiarising students with the language of the subject and looking at processes which affect the atmosphere the solid Earth and the Earth's surface as well as the ways in which these processes interact to produce environments and landscapes.
  • Stage 2
    • Air and Water - Processes (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV2014

      Status: Compulsory
      This module builds on the knowledge and understandind gained in ENV1001 ? Air and Water Principles. Students are introduced to lentic and lotic water systems and assess a range of water pollutants and effects. In addition students also examine source and production of atmospheric pollutants and the associated environmental/ health impacts.
    • Habitat Ecology and Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV2018

      Status: Designate
      In this module knowledge and understanding of communities and ecosystems is applied to selected terrestrial and freshwater/wetland systems. Habitats considered include woodlands grasslands lakes rivers swamps marshes and mires. This module places emphasis on the functional ecology of these habitats in terms of both ecosystem dynamics and human impacts.
    • Research Methods (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV2036

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with a background and foundation necessary for research.
    • Biogeography (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV2103

      Status: Designate
      Biogeography combines ecology and geography to help us understand spatial patterns of biodiversity. `It is the study of distributions of organisms habitats and biomes both past and present and of related patterns of variation over the earth in the numbers and kinds of living things' (Brown & Lomolino 1998).
    • Fieldwork Module (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV2124

      Status: Designate
      This module provides opportunities for field-based investigations either within Britain or further afield*. The module allows scope for students to be involved in more in-depth fieldwork actitvities than a standard module would allow. Data analysis and scientific reporting skills are developed as are collaborative working skills as students work in teams to collect data in the field and to report on research. (*NB. There may be an additional charge for overseas fieldwork ? contact module tutor for further info.)
    • Principles of the Circular Economy (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV2127

      Status: Designate
      This module will introduce the concepts of the Circular Economy. Students will explore the drivers for a circular economy at a national EU and global level. The practical implications and principles will be explored including:-The potential for materials to be recycled and incorporated into new products indefinitely-The opportunities and barriers presented by renewable energy-The need for behavioural change- Case studies
    • Resource Recovery Technologies (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV2130

      Status: Designate
      This module covers the bioprocessing and thermal treatment of a range of wastes. The biochemical chemical and physical principles underlying the recovery processes are discussed along with the associated statutory requirements environmental impacts and available pollution abatement technologies.
    • Past Environments (20 Credits)
      Module code: GEO2034

      Status: Designate
      This interdisciplinary module explores the nature of past environments from an understanding of available geological palaeoenvironmental and historical evidence. Students interpret past environments and environmental change on the basis of this evidence and critically evaluate the quality of the information and the validity of its interpretation.
    • Weather and Climate (20 Credits)
      Module code: GEO2111

      Status: Designate
      Weather and Climate equips the learner with a sound knowledge and understanding of atmospheric processes which are relevant to a broad range of environmental sciences.
    • Environmental Law (20 Credits)
      Module code: LAW2006

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to allow students to develop an awareness and understanding of the underpinning philosophies behind environmental law as well as of the ways in which environmental policy is implemented and enforced through legal measures.
  • Stage 3
    • Sustainable Development: Land Use and Planning (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV3013

      Status: Designate
      This module explores social economic and environmental issues associated with land use. Ethical consumerism will be linked to contemporary land use. Techniques for the evaluation of landscapes (including GIS) will be introduced and the effectiveness of policies and legislation that aim to facilitate sustainable development will be critically evaluated and discussed.
    • Landscape and Restoration Ecology (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV3014

      Status: Designate
      This module addresses high-level ecological concepts and principles relating to the role of spatial and temporal aspects of landscapes and their fauna flora and cultural components (including workshops using GIS). The ways in which ecosystems are damaged by human activity and the potential for restoration are also considered.
    • Biodiversity and Conservation (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV3021

      Status: Designate
      This module deals with theoretical aspects of measuring biodiversity and understanding patterns of its distribution. It also considers more practical elements in terms of the practice of wildlife conservation including the evaluation and assessment of biodiversity for conservation.
    • Career Planning and Placement (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV3131

      Status: Compulsory
      The module involves a work placement (to take place before starting the final year) to help familiarisation with workplace practices and to help to reflect upon skills needed. The module helps students to refine career aspirations and engage in career action planning via developing skills of analysis synthesis and reflection.
    • Recycling Systems
      Module code: ENV3133

      Status: Designate
    • Sustainable Manufacture (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV3134

      Status: Designate
      This module is intended to provide an introduction to how sustainability and sustainable development affect the way in which engineering must in future be practised. It will address the need to live within constraints and to ensure more fairness in access to limited resources which lies at the heart of the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. It will provide tools knowledge and case studies to enable students to assess and devise mathods to improve the environmental performance of products.
    • Wastes Prevention (20 Credits)
      Module code: ENV3135

      Status: Designate
      This module will develop the concepts of waste minimisation and resource efficiency including current Government and European Union strategies and legislation and will provide students with the opportunity to prepare a waste minimisation plan for a small to medium sized organisation.
    • Research Project and Dissertation (40 Credits)
      Module code: ENV4101

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to carry out an independent student-led supervisor-supported investigation in a specific area related to their main field of study within their programme and to communicate their findings in the form of a written dissertation.
    • Climate and Society (20 Credits)
      Module code: GEO3108

      Status: Designate
      Climate change is a complex scientific topic that can affect all aspects of environmental and human systems. It is essential that debate and policy is driven by informed specialists and not by the media or political agenda. In this module we explore all apsetc of the climate change issue.
    • Water Resource Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: GEO3124

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to enhance students? employability through the development of key employability skills. Students participate in career planning activities and reflect on their experiences.

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be BCC at A-Level or DMM at BTEC.

  We welcome international applicants and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.

  For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.

  Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

  The standard entry requirements for the Integrated Foundation Year are DEE at A level or MPP at BTEC.

  However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.

  For more information on how to make an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2021/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,465 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £6,780 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
  • International – Full Time: £13,000
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £13,000 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

  Additional Costs

  Opportunities Abroad

  You will have various opportunities for visits and for fieldwork and there is an opportunity in the second year to undertake an optional residential field trip overseas. Previous field trips have included Mallorca and Tenerife, but please note there is an additional charge to cover flights, accommodation and transport which in 2016 was £550.

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK and EU – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK and EU – Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module
  • UK and EU – Foundation Study Framework: £6,750 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
  • International Full Time: £12,900
  • International – Foundation Study Framework: £9,800

  Additional Costs

  Opportunities Abroad

  You will have various opportunities for visits and for fieldwork and there is an opportunity in the second year to undertake an optional residential field trip overseas. Previous field trips have included Mallorca and Tenerife, but please note there is an additional charge to cover flights, accommodation and transport which in 2019 was £550.

   

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

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• Opportunities Aborad

  There are various opportunities for visits and for fieldwork throughout the course. There are two compulsory UK based field trips, one in the first year and one in the second year. There is a further opportunity in the second year to undertake an optional residential field trip overseas, currently Tenerife, but please note there is an additional charge for overseas field courses to cover flights, accommodation and transport.

  In 2019 the cost was £550. Examples of previous UK day field trips include Oxford Botanic Garden, Kew Gardens, the Natural History Museum, as well as field sites in and around Northamptonshire.

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