Environmental Management BSc Honours
School of Life Sciences
Institution Code H36
UCAS Codes
F856
BSc (Hons) Environmental Management with a year in Europe
F855
BSc (Hons) Environmental Management
F857
BSc (Hons) Environmental Management with a year in North America
Course Code HHGEE
Start date
September
More about the course
The BSc(Hons) Environmental Management degree provides a balance between the natural and social sciences, integrating this subject material to provide a sound foundation for employment in a broad range of environmental jobs.
You may opt to maintain breadth during the whole degree or to specialise in particular aspects of the environment such as policy development, conservation, habitat management or managing the environment/society interface.
First year - In October of the first year, all students attend a six day residential fieldcourse in the Lake District, staying at the Field Studies Centre at Blencathra near Keswick. This allows you to study human, environmental and physical interactions in a UK setting.
Topics that can be studied include:
- ecosystems and environmental change
- environmental pollution
- soil science
- sustainability
- environmental impact assessment
- climate change
- biodiversity
- rivers and hydrology
- political and historical geography
- geology, tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes
- research and analytical skills
Through undertaking a range of practical activities, you gain a thorough understanding of mountainous environments and the communities that live within them.
When you return you study modules in ecology and global change and can choose from a range of optional modules.
The year also includes a research design module providing the knowledge and understanding to prepare you for your personal final year project.
Topics that can be studied include:
- environmental issues and management
- heath and woodland ecology
- ecological principles
- global environmental change
- environmental pollution
- environmental and social change in rural environments
- freshwater ecology
- water resources
- conservation
- globalisation
- indigenous peoples and cultures
- GISci (Geographical Information Science) and mapping
- environemental research methods
Final year - Your individual research project is a key part of the final year. You carry out an in-depth study of a topic relevant to your degree that you choose with assistance from academic staff.
The project is complemented by a range of taught modules that fully prepare you for entering employment in the environmental sector. Many modules include practical experience of the processes and procedures of environmental management and provide an insight into the development and rationale of environmental policy.
Topics that can be studied include:
- water, energy and waste management
- island biogeography
- species and habitat conservation
- water, energy and waste management
- environmental impact assessment
- evolution and extinction
- environmental auditing
- sustainability and sustainable development
- environmental legislation and policy
- GISci and mapping
- countryside recreation management
Work placement
In your third year of the BSc(Hons) Environmental Management degree you have the option to do a work placement in a company or organisation that carries out environmental and/or geographical functions.
You can do a twelve month placement or two six month placements which offer you the unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience which will set you above other graduates when leaving university.
Environmental management placement opportunities are available within a wide range of organisations including small, national and multi-national companies, local government, consultancy companies and environmental organisations.
We currently have students on placement at a wide range of companies including: Veolia Water, Earthworks, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (Lancaster University), Monks Walk School, Stubbington Study Centre, Plandescil Consulting Engineers
You will get to see professionals in action and play an important part in achieving results for your employer as a valued member of the team. Through your work placement you can qualify for the Licentiateship of the City and Guilds Institute (LCGI).
Alternatively you can choose to spend a year abroad where you can either study or undertake research at a partner institution. This can help develop your language skills as well as giving you the chance to learn new working practices, or specialist techniques which may differ from the UK
Careers
Our graduates have excellent opportunities in a wide range of careers, because of our varied curriculum, our strong emphasis on field and practical experience, our industrial placement year and our strong ties with professional bodies and employers in business, industry, regulatory bodies and government.Geography and Environmental Management graduates find employment in planning, education, research, mineral investigation, waste management, water management, mining and hydrocarbon industries, environmental health, environmental consultancy and other management positions.
Typical job titles of recent graduates:
Assistant Surveyor, Conservation Officer, Environmental Consultant, Environmental developments Officer, Environmental Management Systems Developer, Environmental Manager, Environmental Officer, Environmental Support Officer, Estates manager, GIS assistant, Land Charges Assistant, Planning Officer, Production Systems Development Engineer, Senior GIS Technical Officer, Trainee Emergency Ambulance Technician, Trainee Logging Geologist, Transport Coordinator, Transport Planner.
Typical employers of recent graduates:
Banks Cargil Agriculture Ltd, Beds and Herts Ambulance and Paramedic Service, Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Coors Brewers, Datalog Technology Ltd, Environment Agency, Granada Business Technology, Merck Sharp & Dohme, National Grid Three Valley Water, University of Hertfordshire, Vauxhall Motors, Vivendi Water. Many graduates also go on to work in the environmental and planning departments in government and District and County Councils around the country.
Teaching methods
Most second and third year modules are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% examination. Five of the first year modules are 100% coursework. The type of coursework is varied, depending on the module and includes essays, reports, practical write-ups, posters and seminar presentations.
On a weekly basis students will normally spend time in lectures, seminars and practical lab sessions. Practical work is an important element of an Environmental Management degree. In your first year you will take part in many half day practical sessions. Your learning will also be supported by field trips throughout the course.
From time to time we also offer voluntary/research based excursions to destinations such as Iceland and a conservation weekend in Poole Harbour.
Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to attend weekend trips to locations such as Snowdonia, Mam Tor in the Peak District and the Lake District.Modules also include day trips to locations such as Ashridge and Ivinghoe Beacon, Oxford Botanic Gardens, Nomansland Common, London Zoo, River Colne in Watford, Rainham Marshes, Letchworth Garden City, Hatfield Forest, Docklands, Lea Valley Park, Westmill Quarry, Stanborough Park and the Natural History Museum.
Course structure
Detailed information about the structure of the course and the modules you will study.