Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year studying abroad) BSc

Program Overview

The BSc in Environmental Earth Science with integrated year studying abroad at Aberystwyth University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the core skills in geology and their application to environmental problems. It aims to train students to solve problems and contribute to society by immersing them in innovative research and offering diverse modules, fieldwork opportunities, and international study experiences. The program prepares graduates for careers in environmental consulting, planning, civil service, surveying, and education, equipping them with transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BSc in Environmental Earth Science with integrated year studying abroad at Aberystwyth University offers a unique opportunity to study Environmental Earth Science in a picturesque location and undertake a year studying with an international or European partner. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the core skills in geology and their application to environmental problems. Students will develop field skills applicable to solving issues like pollution from human activities and understanding volcanic eruptions. The degree aims to train students to solve problems and contribute to society.

Objectives:

• Immerse students in a department known for its innovative research with local, national, and international impact.
• Provide a detailed insight into key themes in geography, geology, and environmental studies.
• Develop a deeper understanding of significant environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
• Gain insight into mass extinctions and their relevance to human-environment relations today.
• Offer flexibility in module selection and specialization themes.
• Provide diverse fieldwork opportunities.
• Benefit from facilities recognized by NERC (Natural Environment Research Council).
• Gain valuable experience in how different countries approach environmental issues through the integrated year studying abroad.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• An introduction to Earth Materials (GS12520) - 20 credits
• Earth Surface Environments (GS10520) - 20 credits
• Fieldwork Skills (GS11320) - 20 credits
• How to Build a Planet (GS11520) - 20 credits
• Life on Earth (GS10720) - 20 credits
• Researching the World: data collection and analysis (GS13020) - 20 credits

Year 2:

• Core Modules:
• Advanced Earth Materials (GS22620) - 20 credits
• Chemical Analysis of Natural Materials (GS21010) - 10 credits
• Environmental Earth Science Research Design and Fieldwork Skills (GS21420) - 20 credits
• Fundamentals of Geochemistry (GS22720) - 20 credits
• Geographical Information Systems (GS23710) - 10 credits
• Quantitative Data Analysis (GS23810) - 10 credits
• Options:
• Catchment Systems (GS25210) - 10 credits
• Physical Analysis of Natural Materials (GS22010) - 10 credits
• Reconstructing Past Environments (GS21910) - 10 credits
• The Frozen Planet (GS23510) - 10 credits

Year 4:

• Core Modules:
• Advanced Fieldwork Skills (GS35320) - 20 credits
• Environmental Earth Science Dissertation (GS35140) - 40 credits
• Options:
• Applied Environmental Management (GS31120) - 20 credits
• Environmental Regulation and Consultancy (BR35620) - 20 credits
• Environmental geochemistry and biogeochemistry (GS30320) - 20 credits
• Glaciers and Ice Sheets (GS33420) - 20 credits
• People, Climate and Environment: a Palaeoenvironmental Perspective (GS33720) - 20 credits
• Volcanic Activity: Hazards and Environmental Change (GS30420) - 20 credits

Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary and include traditional exams, coursework, practical reports, oral presentations, web page design, short film production, online discussion forum contributions, and coursework-based assessments for tutorials and field courses.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory and computer practical classes, small group tutorials, field courses, and individual supervision of project work.

Careers:

• Graduates find employment as environmental consultants, planners, civil servants, surveyors, and in education.
• The degree provides a foundation for a wide range of careers across various sectors.
• Graduates develop transferable skills like mathematical and computational skills, problem-solving, creative thinking, information technology, teamwork, time management, organization, communication, self-motivation, and self-reliance.

Other:

• The Department offers modules taught through the medium of Welsh.
• The program has established partnerships with European Universities, including the University of Bergen, the University of Oulu, Finland, and the University Centre in Svalbard.
• The program has strong links with universities in North America, including Purdue University, the University of Alabama, the University of Georgia, the University of Montana, and the University of Ottawa in Canada.
• Lecturers in the Department of Geography and Earth Science are all qualified to PhD level or working towards a PhD.