Environmental Geoscience

Program Overview

---

The Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) at Birkbeck, University of London, equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges. Through research-led teaching, hands-on fieldwork, and industry-inspired learning, students develop expertise in geology, geomorphology, and ecology to investigate human impacts on Earth and apply geoscience to environmental problem-solving. The program emphasizes technical and problem-solving skills, preparing graduates for careers in environmental management, sustainability, and related fields.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

---

Objectives:

• Equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to address today's environmental challenges.
• Develop expertise in geology, geomorphology, and ecology to investigate the impact of human activities on Earth.
• Train students in innovative applications of geoscience for resolving environmental challenges.

---

Description:

Taught by experts in the field of geology and planetary science, the Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) at Birkbeck provides a foundation for understanding Earth's interconnected environmental systems. By combining research-led teaching, hands-on fieldwork, and industry-inspired experiential learning, this program prepares graduates for careers in environmental management, sustainability, and related fields. The curriculum emphasizes technical and problem-solving skills alongside field and experimental data analysis. Students gain experience with advanced scientific instruments and methods commonly used in geoscience research and apply their newfound knowledge to real-world situations.

---

Outline:

---

Program Content:

• Geological processes and their connection to ecology and geomorphology.

• Impacts of human activities on the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

• Application of geoscience in tackling environmental problems like resource extraction, renewable energy, climate change, and waste management.

• Development of analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills relevant to environmental stewardship.

---

Structure:

• Duration: 3 years full-time (on-campus) or 4 years part-time (on-campus)
• Combines lectures, practical sessions, problem-solving activities, fieldtrips, group-work, and online coursework options (specific format varies based on chosen modules)
• Includes compulsory modules along with a selection of optional modules to personalize your learning
• Culminates in a final year research project or a "Map and Thesis" project

---

Course Schedule:

• Full-time program: lectures typically in the evenings (6pm-9pm), occasional fieldtrips
• Part-time program: one to two evenings per week plus occasional fieldtrips

---

Modules:

• Level 1 (compulsory): Earth as a Planet, Introduction to Environmental Science, Introduction to Field Geology (two parts: traditional & virtual), Planetary Materials
• Level 2 (compulsory): Two modules from a selection like Field Mapping Training, Preparation for BSc Research Project/Map and Thesis (depending on chosen direction), or Virtual Field Mapping Training
• Level 2 (optional): Four or five modules from selected topics in climate, earth & environmental processes, resources & energy, or geological data analysis
• Level 3 (compulsory): One selection from options including "Geology and Geomorphology for the Low-Carbon Transition"
• Level 3 (optional): Two or three modules from selected advanced geoscience topics, ranging from climate science to resource recovery
• Final Year (capstone): BSc Research Project OR Map and Thesis project depending on your specialization

---

Assessment:

---

Assessment Methods:

• Short written exercises
• Essays
• Quizzes
• Multiple-choice questionnaires
• Practical assessments
• Case studies
• Problem-solving
• Field-based activities
• Individual or group assignments
• Generally focuses on critical understanding, application of knowledge, analysis and problem-solving through the chosen format e.g.
essays, assignments, projects
• Examines student comprehension of core concepts from lectures, independent coursework, and practical skills acquired throughout the program

---

Teaching:

---

Teaching Strategies:

• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Fieldwork & trips
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Online learning via virtual reality platforms/tools
• Research-led guidance (individual guidance may vary as faculty specialize in distinct geoscience fields)
• Interactive pedagogy - student engagement is encouraged (questions, discussions, problem-solving in groups as appropriate to module formats)

---

Faculty Expertise:

• Experienced in research-led teaching (active researchers on various Earth System-related topics)
• Expertise ranges across areas like planetary science, climate change, resource exploration, geochemistry, geological hazards (check departmental website or individual researchers' webpages for updated areas of specialization)

---

Teaching Features:

• Access to shared labs with UCL Earth Sciences, collaboration projects in research
• Virtual Fieldwork platform enables hands-on data collection from different global locations
• Birkbeck is ranked top 25 in UK 2021 Earth Systems/Envrionmental Science Research Excellence Framework
• Over 130 years of experience offering evening geology study
• Distance learning expertise over more than 20 years

---

Careers:

---

Career Options:

• Environmental consultancy or regulation
• Risk management in an environmental context
• Planning or development linked to environment
• Renewable energy production/resource usage strategies
• Climate mitigation & adaptation work
• Geological consulting for resource, hazard mitigation activities or research, museum, educational settings

---

Potential Employers:

• Environmental consultancies
• Governmental or policy institutions
• Energy firms
• Universities
• Non-profit organizations
• Resource & risk management companies
• Graduates may pursue further specialization with related MSc Programs at Birkbeck (e.g.
Environment & Sustainability)

---

Other:

• Part-time applicants typically hold at least two A-levels
• Transferable skills emphasized: adaptability, teamwork, problem-solving, communication etc.

---

Please Note:

• Some specifics like faculty names or exact module options were omitted as these require external searches during application stages or change from year to year.