BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year from LJMU equips students with the knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges such as climate change and pollution. It combines theoretical understanding with practical experience, including fieldwork both in the UK and overseas. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in the expanding green jobs employment sector.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year is a highly practical program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address the major environmental challenges facing the world today, such as climate change, pollution, and decreasing biodiversity. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of environmental processes and interactions, preparing students for careers in the expanding green jobs employment sector.
Objectives:
- Investigate the challenges facing the environment.
- Learn how to tackle pressing environmental issues for future populations.
- Acquire skills and knowledge through practical learning and use of state-of-the-art facilities, such as Geographical Information Systems facilities and analytical equipment.
- Prepare for entry into the expanding green jobs employment sector.
Description:
The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, including fieldwork both in the UK and overseas. Students will have the opportunity to participate in field trips to Greece, the Lake District, North Wales, and the North West coast. The program also offers options for work placements of 4-6 weeks and/or a 12-month sandwich year, as well as opportunities to study abroad for part of the degree.
Outline:
Foundation Year:
The Foundation Year is designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but lack the qualifications for direct entry onto the Environmental Science honors degree program. Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, students progress directly onto the first year of the honors degree.
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science:
The program is structured across three levels (Level 4, Level 5, and Level 6) and includes a variety of core and optional modules.
Level 3:
- Core Modules:
- Skills and Perspectives in Science 1
- Wildlife Studies
- Skills and Perspectives in Science 2
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Understanding the Environment
- Building Blocks of Life
Level 4:
- Core Modules:
- Ecology
- Methods Skills and Careers 1
- Earth Systems
- Hazards
- Environment Society and Sustainability
- Methods Skills and Careers 2
Level 5:
- Core Modules:
- GIS and Employability
- Environmental Pollution
- Optional Modules:
- Cryosphere, Catchments and Oceans
- Impact of Climate Change on Biological Processes
- Global Issues, Local Challenges
- Ecology Field Skills
- Wildlife and Ecosystem Management
- Conservation Practice
- Marine and Freshwater Biology
- International Environments
- Environmental Science Sandwich Year
- Study Semester Abroad - Environmental Science
- Study Year Abroad - Environmental Science
- Responding to Climate Change
Level 6:
- Core Modules:
- Environmental Modelling and GIS
- Dissertation
- Environmental Change
- Optional Modules:
- Contemporary Issues in Conservation
- Renewables and Low Carbon Futures
- Frontiers of Ecology
- Work-Based Learning
- Coastal and Marine Management
- River Monitoring and Management
- Cold Environments: Processes and Change
Module Descriptions:
Detailed descriptions of each module are provided in the context, outlining the learning objectives, content, and assessment methods for each.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
Assessment varies depending on the modules chosen but typically includes a combination of exams and coursework.
Assessment Types:
- In-class tests
- Essays
- Scientific reports
- Oral presentations
- Poster presentations
- Blogs
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
- Active blended learning approach
- Classroom, laboratory, and field-based learning
- Hands-on approach with emphasis on practical skills development
- GIS and computer literacy development
Faculty:
- Experienced, research-active staff
Unique Approaches:
- Focus on skill acquisition via practical workshops and field learning
- Opportunities for work placements and study abroad
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
- Environmental monitoring
- Environmental management
- Consultancy roles in the water, resources, and sustainability sectors
- Environmental Consultants operating in multi-national consultancies and operational government authorities
- Teaching
- Civil service
- Geographical Information Systems and analyst-related roles
Opportunities:
- Excellent employment opportunities in areas such as environmental management, government authorities, engineering and surveying, civil service, and Geographical Information Systems.
- Access to Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service, which provides a wide range of opportunities and support to students.
Outcomes:
- Graduates are well-prepared for a range of careers in the expanding green jobs employment sector.
Other:
- The School of Biological and Environmental Sciences is committed to promoting a learning environment that supports a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI).
- The school has a Disability Support Coordinator, an EDI Coordinator, and a School EDI Working Group.
- Personal tutors play a vital role in promoting awareness of support services for students.
- PPE is provided for all necessary practical work.
- Day field trips for core and optional modules are subsidized.
- Residential field trips associated with core modules are subsidized and include travel and half-board accommodation costs.
- A DBS check may be required for modules where there is a work-based learning placement option.
- Work-based learning placements that do not require a DBS check are available.
- Students may be able to study abroad as part of their degree at one of LJMU's 100+ partner universities across the world.
- Students can also complete a work placement or apply for one of LJMU's prestigious worldwide internship programs.
- Students can attend one of LJMU's 1-4 week long summer schools.
- The Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects, or unpaid placements anywhere in the world.
- Home full-time per year: £9,250
- International full-time per year: £18,250
- Placement year: £1,850
- Placement year international: £3,830
