Bath Spa University

BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science

Year one (Level 4) modules

• Biological Techniques
• Ecology and the Diversity of Life
• Environmental Change
• Environment, People, and Place
• Communicating Science
• Sustainability in Life and Work

Year two (Level 5) modules

• Conservation Ecology
• Environmental Management
• Research Skills for Environmental Science
• Biology Work Placement
• Microbiology Applications and Biotech
• Geomorphology and Environmental Hazards
• Geographical Fieldwork: Hazards, Disasters and Sustainable Development
• Climate and Society
• Geotechnologies for Society and Environment
• Environment and Education
• Professional Placement Year

Year three (Level 6) modules

• Dissertation Planning
• Dissertation Publication
• Geography Dissertation
• Animal Behaviour
• Plants and People
• Environmental Practice
• Marine Biology and Conservation
• Wildlife Photography
• Managing Sustainability
• Advanced Geographical Fieldwork: Society, Culture and Environment
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Coastal and River Management

What you'll learn

Overview

This course will give you knowledge of Environmental Science from biological and geographical perspectives. You’ll study core topics such as ecology, environmental management, and sustainability, and you’ll be able to choose from a range of optional areas to design a program of study to suit your interests and career aspirations.

You’ll be able to specialize in such areas as aquatic environments, environmental protection and conservation, science communication, and earth systems. Optional topics include marine biology, climatology, sustainable development, river and coastal management, environmental hazards, environmental consultancy, and biodiversity assessment.

There will be opportunities to participate in residential field trips, both in the UK and overseas.

Course structure

Year one

Environmental science is a broad field of study and at Bath Spa, it’s studied from two related perspectives – biological and geographical. You’ll cover both these aspects in your core first-year modules, along with ecology and biodiversity.

Year two

You’ll study critical aspects of environmental science in more depth – in particular ecology and conservation, environmental management, and sustainability. There’s also a wide range of further topics to choose from, either building your course around your particular career aspirations or keeping your options open with a more general approach. Topics include microbial applications and biotechnology, biodiversity, river and coastal systems, environmental hazards, climate change and sustainability, and science communication.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to do practical work in the field and laboratory, and you also have the opportunity to further enhance your employability skills with a work placement.

The optional field trip to Italy offers a unique opportunity to explore geographical themes in a highly dynamic, real-world context. On this trip, you’ll learn about a range of topics such as earthquake disasters, flood hazards, air quality, and pollution, climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, regional development, sustainability, and urban geographies. You’ll also have opportunities to experience the regional diversity, food, and culture of Italy.

Please note that some of our field trips may incur additional costs on top of your course fees. Financial support for field trip costs may be available via the Bath Spa University International Travel Fund.

Year three

You’ll choose a subject to research in-depth through your dissertation, and select optional modules from topics as wide-ranging as animal behavior, nature conservation, climatology, marine biology, plants and people, digital imaging, development and disasters, and coastal and river management.

You’ll also continue to develop your practical skills with project work on campus and residential field trips in the UK and abroad. You can also bring in modules from other areas if you want to develop interests in managing sustainability, science publishing, preparing to be a freelancer, or starting your own business.

An optional field trip to Barcelona allows you to study topics such as urban development, wildfires and cascading hazards, social inequalities, urban sustainability policies, city planning, coastal erosion, nationalism and independence movements, heat waves, Olympic legacies, or urban flood risks.

How will I be assessed?

You’ll generally be assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination.

Students have gone into roles including Assistant Ecological Consultant, Land Management and Conservation Adviser, Policy Adviser at Defra, and Waste Awareness Officer. Example employers include:

• Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
• Bath and North East Somerset Council
• Ecosulis ecological consultancy
• Soil Association
• The Environment Agency
• Natural England
• Ministry of Defence
• Office for National Statistics
• Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]
• EDF Energy

Many graduates have gone on to postgraduate programs, leading to a teaching qualification (PGCE), MSc, or PhD.

How will I be taught?

We offer an excellent learning environment with small class sizes. Staff and students are on first-name terms and you’ll be assigned an Academic Advisor from day one. We get you out of the classroom and into the environment as much as possible, so you can develop practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

You’ll be taught in relevant, challenging, and interesting ways, including lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars, simulations of professional practice, fieldwork-based projects, tutorials, and interpretation exercises. You’ll be taught by professionals who are trained to teach and who will bring their own research and industry-based experience to the course.

Course length

Three years full-time, or four years full-time with a professional placement year. Part-time available.