Environmental Science, BSc (Hons)

This degree provides you with the opportunity to specialise in a range of scientific areas associated with Environmental Sciences. The continued pressure on energy resources and natural habitats from climate and land-use change has increased demand for graduates with environmental management skills.

This new multidisciplinary course includes the scientific study of the physical, chemical and biological processes operating on and within the Earth. You will look at issues including:

• energy
• waste management
• conservation
• natural processes
• sustainability.

The course will help you to:

• Develop your analytical skills.
• Find out how to conserve global biodiversity.
• Investigate environmental monitoring and pollution mitigation.

Topics covered include global climate change and the challenges posed by managing our natural resources. These are both major concerns for the 21st Century.

Why choose this course?

• Brackenhurst campus is an the ideal location for you to study Environmental Science. With over 200 hectares of farm and woodland estate, it is a leading centre for:
  • conservation
  • GIS studies
  • environmental research
  • sustainability.
• Our outdoor classroom will enable you to test your knowledge in practice.
• We are one of UK's most environmentally friendly universities and have achieved the EcoCampus Platinum award. We have invested in environmental-impact innovations such as:
  • A renewable energy biomass boiler, a CHP (combined heat and power plant) on Brackenhurst campus. This 600 kW unit lowers the University’s CO2 output by around 420 tonnes a year.
  • Extensive solar panels / photovoltaics on the roofs of our campus buildings
  • Planning and application for a wind turbine on site
  • Estates use of a fleet of electric mini vans for on-campus transportation
  • Brackenhurst weather station and GIS monitoring of species movement, pollution, and water flow on campus.
• We work closely with the University's Environment team to monitor our energy usage. This is because we care about the environment as much as you do.
• Carbon Elephant is an NTU initiative which aims to get staff and students involved in the University's plans to reduce our carbon emissions. The University has committed to reducing our carbon footprint 48% by 2020/21.
• You will have great opportunities. Our student opt to go on overseas field trips and work with companies such as Environment Agency and British Geological Survey (BGS).
• Your studies will benefit from our brand new £2.5 million campus eco-library that opened in 2013. The library uses energy-efficient and low-carbon initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, intelligent lighting control, heat-reclaim ventilation during winter, renewable cladding materials, locally sourced materials and water-leak detection systems.
• We ensure that our new developments come under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. This method sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation. It has become one a globally recognised measure of a building's environmental performance.

The world needs skilled graduates to tackle the problems of:

• climate change
• hunger
• clean energy
• endangered species
• waste management.

Extra opportunities

• You can spend half a year on international exchange with a partner university in Australia, Canada or Hungary during your second year of study
• NTU has a number of biodiversity conservation projects to get involved in from bee hives to bird-ringing, including and a family of peregrine falcons who nest on the top of our Newton and Arkwright building in the city centre.

Want to know more?

• Book your place on an open day.
• From biodivesity conservation to carbon reduction - explore NTU's own environmental strategy.
• Find out more about the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.

How many places are available?

There are approximately 20 places available on this course.

When does the course start?

Please see the academic calendar for course dates.

Where will I study?

Brackenhurst campus is the ideal location to study Environmental Science.

What will I study?

Year One

Modules

The first-year modules provide a strong practical and theoretical introduction to the course.

Principles of Environmental Science
This module will introduce you to key laboratory and field techniques associated with environmental scientific procedures and research.

Climate, Soils and Vegetation
Studying Environmental Science will help you to understand complex environmental issues such as:

• global warming
• land-use management
• natural hazard mitigation.

You will develop specific skills for analysing and interpreting:

• weather
• climate and soils
• the ability to use these skills in the sustainable management of soil as a resource.

Personal Development Skills
This module is concerned with your career development. You will develop transferable skills that are essential in the environmental employment sector. These include:

• scientific and report writing
• referencing techniques
• presentations and IT skills.

Biodiversity Conservation
This module explores the biological diversity on Earth, focusing on the abundance and distribution of species. You will investigate the:

• theories of evolution
• causes of mass extinctions
• conservation of species.

Ecology: Terrestrial and Water
This module studies the interaction of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in relation to the distribution of populations and communities within ecosystems.

Year Two

You will:

• Develop skills in independent research and data analysis.
• Apply principles in a professional context.

Natural Resource Management
You will be introduced to the principles underlying the exploitation of natural resources. This module cultivates a critical awareness of the social, economic and political importance of natural resource management. You will also evaluate the complex nature of managing natural resources.

Environmental Law and Policy
This module investigates the development, implementation and impact of environmental policies and laws. You will explore the important topic of protecting the environment through:

• environmental politics
• policy processes and generation
• the ever increasing issue of securing sustainability.

Global Climate Change
You will:

• Study the science of climate change.
• Consider ethical conflict.
• Analyse political arguments.
• Apply reasoning to the resolution of this pressing environmental problem.

Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
You will be introduced to the mapping and analytical techniques used in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Students apply technology across a wide range of topic areas.

Final year

You will use your new knowledge and skills to solve environmental problems.

Dissertation
This is the final-year project. It's your opportunity to do independent research, under supervision, in an area of Environmental Science-related subjects of your own choice.

Sustainability
This module will apply concepts of scale, place and human-environment relationships in the context of sustainability. You will:

• Review the barriers between sustainable development theory and practice.
• Appraise the contrasting theories, explanations of, and approaches to sustainability.

Environmental Politics, Issues and Ethics
This module explores issues in and perceptions of environment and society. This will enable you to identify and evaluate the philosophies influencing Environmental Sciences.

Innovations and Energy
You will investigate one of the most challenging problems exercising scientists of the 21st Century. The challenge lies in finding out how to distribute safe, clean energy from sources that do not deplete with use. You will look at the depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing demand for energy so they can evaluate the choices available for the future.

Examples of optional modules:

• Environmental Assessment and Management
• Advanced Ecology
• Biogeography
• Applied Hydrology and Water Resources.

Contact hours

You will have 13 hours of scheduled contact time per week, of which approximately three hours will be practical work.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed using a variety of methods including the following.

Coursework 17%

• Project output – 8%
• Portfolio – 9%

Practical skills - 17%

Exams - 66%

What do the course fees cover?

The annual fee for your undergraduate degree course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition.

• You will have a pre-paid printing allowance of £20 (which currently equates to up to 400 sides of A4 black and white printing) for use in NTU Print Shops.
• We will ensure that you have the right laboratory equipment, coats and safety equipment, where required.
• You will not have to pay tuition fees for your Year Abroad/Sandwich year when it is part of the course.
• You will not need to cover additional administration fees for international exchange.
• You will be given two tickets to the Graduation Ceremony (any additional tickets will incur a fee).

What is not included in the fee?

You will need to budget for the following:

• general printing of coursework in addition to the printing allowance
• books and texts
• accommodation and travel costs
• travel and accommodation costs involved in year abroad, sandwich year or any placements you take
• graduation social events
• additional field trip or field work costs where not borne by the School.

Language classes are available via the University Language Programme at a very reasonable additional fee, alongside your chosen course. These do not bear credit towards your course.

Are you an international student?

Find out more about our entry requirements, fees and accommodation.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

We have invested over £200 million in facilities at Brackenhurst campus in the last eight years.

• Take a look at pictures of the picturesque 200-hectare estate and watch videos of our students talking about it.
• Watch a video about our outdoor classroom for fieldwork and research.
• Our Environment Centre provides first class facilities for learning and research in the disciplines associated with tackling the challenges faced by our planet. You will find everything you need here to conduct the practical element of your course.

Eco-library

Our brand new 1,000 square metre, £2.5 million pound campus library opened in 2013. The library building uses energy-efficient and low-carbon initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, intelligent lighting control, heat-reclaim ventilation during winter, renewable cladding materials, locally sourced materials and water-leak detection systems.

Our biodiversity analysis of the library site highlighted the need to check for protected species such as bats and great crested newts. We've created new ponds, fence-ringed areas and bespoke habitats as part of our mitigation strategy.

Wind turbines

The University is currently undertaking feasibility work to investigate installing wind turbines at Brackenhurst campus.

Peregrine falcons - live streaming and archive footage

The Newton building at Nottingham Trent University has, for the last decade, been home to a breeding pair of peregrine falcons, who nest on an outside ledge near the top. Watch live footage or archive video of them nesting, laying eggs and rearing their chicks.

Green Flag status

Brackenhurst campus has been awarded the Green Flag status, a national award recognising green spaces throughout the country. We received the award along with other notable green spaces such as Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park and St James’s Park.

Fairtrade

Nottingham Trent University has been awarded Fairtrade status. Fairtrade products are available in all campus shops, catering outlets and the Students' Union.