Environmental Sustainability with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) - Environmental Science

Program Overview

The Environmental Sustainability with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) program equips students with the skills to address environmental issues. Blending theory with practical experience, the program emphasizes sustainability initiatives and prepares graduates for careers in environmental agencies, businesses, and government, meeting the growing demand for sustainability experts in the green sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program, Environmental Sustainability with Foundation Year BSc (Hons), is designed to equip students with the applied skills needed to address current and future environmental issues. It aims to produce graduates with an interdisciplinary and problem-solving approach to global sustainability, an understanding of personal and organizational responsibilities, and a solution-based approach to global issues. The program blends theory with practical experience, including work placements and field trips. It emphasizes the importance of sustainability initiatives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the 25 Year Environment Plan. The program prepares students to tackle pressing environmental challenges and graduate with in-demand skills.

Outline:

Foundation Year:

• Foundations in Geoscience: Introduces the Earth as a system, covering geology, geography, global landscapes, environments, and hazards.
• Organisms and their Environments: Explores the interactions between organisms and their surroundings.
• Academic and Practical Skills in Environmental Sciences: Develops essential academic and practical skills for environmental science.
• Introduction to Environmental Science: Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental science.

Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• Foundations in Geoscience
• Organisms and their Environments
• Academic and Practical Skills in Environmental Sciences
• Introduction to Environmental Science
• Optional Modules:
• Sociology
• Fundamentals of Human Behaviour
• Principles of Chemistry
• English
• Mathematics

Year 2:

• Core Modules:
• Environmental and Ethics Legislation: Includes a minimum of 30 hours of work placement.
• Environmental Monitoring and Assessment: Develops skills in environmental monitoring and assessment techniques.
• Environmental Management: Explores principles and practices of environmental management.
• Environmental Policy and Governance: Examines environmental policy and governance frameworks.
• Optional Modules:
• Sustainable Development: Explores concepts and practices of sustainable development.
• Environmental Economics: Analyzes economic aspects of environmental issues.
• Environmental Law: Delves into legal frameworks related to environmental protection.
• Environmental Communication: Develops skills in communicating environmental issues effectively.

Optional Placement Year:

• Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year to gain practical experience in the field.

Year 3:

• Core Modules:
• Business and Sustainability: Includes a field trip to experience sustainability initiatives in charities, businesses, and government.
• Environmental Research Methods: Develops advanced research skills.
• Independent Study (Dissertation) or Industrial Project: Students can choose to complete a dissertation or work on a live project in industry.
• Optional Modules:
• Student Initiated Module: Allows students to create a module based on their interests and career ambitions.
• Climate Change: Explores the causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies for climate change.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Focuses on the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Sustainable Cities: Examines the principles and practices of sustainable urban development.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a diverse range of assessment methods, including:

• Essays
• Reports
• Field and laboratory notebooks
• Portfolios
• Posters
• Infographics
• Oral presentations
• Vivas
• Written exams (seen and unseen)
Assessments can be individual or group-based. The program aligns its assessments with key graduate skillsets sought by employers.

Teaching:

• The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, field trips, laboratory sessions, and project work.
• Students benefit from the expertise of active researchers who bring the latest thinking to their studies.
• The program offers opportunities for students to get involved in research projects.
• The Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) provides a platform for research and collaboration.

Careers:

Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers in various sectors, including:

• Environmental agencies
• Global businesses
• Local authorities and government
• Environmental consultancies
• Wildlife conservation
The program emphasizes the growing demand for sustainability experts in the green sector of the economy. Graduates are equipped with skills aligned with international agreements like the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Other:

• The program provides access to industry-standard specialist equipment and software, including drone technology, field spectrometers, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), map library, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
• Students have access to modern laboratories, an Aquatic Research Facility, a glasshouse, an insectary, and Cuckoos Tor, a research site dedicated to long-term research and ecological experiments.
• The program offers a Professional Development Package to enhance employability skills, including scientific writing, communication, research, data analysis, project management, and digital competency.
• The University's Careers and Employment Service provides support for work placements, part-time jobs, volunteering, CV writing, and career guidance.

| Fee Type | Fee | Currency | |---|---|---| | UK fee | £9,250 per year | GBP | | International fee | £14,900 per year | GBP |