Environmental Sciences - 2012 entry
BSc (Hons)
- single
BA
/
BSc (Hons)
- combined (see 'Combine with...' tab for available combinations)
Typical A-level offer: BBC or equivalent
Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences
Overview
Examining the results of pond dipping
Examining the results of pond dipping
Lab work
This course is run by the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
There has never been a better time to study environmental sciences. The UK environmental industry has experienced massive growth, with over 400,000 people currently employed in 17,000 companies and an annual turnover of £25bn - roughly the same as the pharmaceuticals and aerospace sectors. Driven by tighter environmental regulation, increased development and scarce natural resources, this growth is set to continue, with predictions of £46bn by 2015. There are also international career opportunities, with rapid growth expected in world markets.
Our broad-based Environmental Sciences degree not only suits students with many different interests but also addresses the demands of the environmental sector by providing graduates who can apply their subject knowledge and transferable skills to a variety of environmental job roles. From climate change to biodiversity preservation and environmental change, you can get involved in changing our world for the better.
Why Brookes?
- We place a strong emphasis on laboratory and field work including residential courses in the Cévennes (in France) and Devon, enabling students to put their skills into practice.
- We have great links with regional environmental organisations, providing exciting work placement and career opportunities. For example, one of our students worked for ADAS, the UK’s largest independent provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice.
- You'll have opportunities to work with research groups such as our Environmental Information Exchange and Pond Conservation, providing our students with potential project ideas and work experience.
- The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) accredits our degree, potentially enhancing your career prospects.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Over the course of your Environmental Sciences degree (three years if studying full-time), you will study a minimum of 24 modules: 8 each year over 2 semesters. Most modules run for a single semester, though some are double modules that will normally run over a whole year.
The teaching methods used on a module are varied. Most will make use of lectures to provide a framework for your learning and for introducing more difficult concepts. Practical work and fieldwork are also key features of many modules, enhancing your learning and enabling you to develop the skills you need for a relevant career. Other teaching methods include seminar discussions or debates, one-to-one or small group tutorials and problem-solving workshops.
The assessment for most modules is based on your performance in coursework and examination, though the assessment for some modules is entirely coursework based. Coursework assignments are diverse and may include essays, laboratory and field notebooks, work diaries, practical reports, seminar and poster presentations, webpage creation and problem-solving exercises. Where the assessment for a module includes an examination, this will be timetabled at the end of the module, allowing you to complete one module before beginning another.
Learning outcomes
A graduate of Environmental Sciences will be able to:
- assess the roles of living things in the structure, functioning and interaction of natural systems
- interpret symptoms and measurements of natural and man-made environmental change on different spatial and temporal scales in terms of changes to natural systems and their interactions
- categorise (in terms of their nature, causes, impacts and human solutions) recent and contemporary impacts of environmental pollution on different spatial and temporal scales
- recommend survey, measurement, monitoring and data analysis techniques for the examination of biological communities and their components, or the investigation of a pollution issue, to meet given objectives
- critically assess the effectiveness of ecological survey techniques as tools for use in biodiversity assessment, maintenance and enhancement.
In detail
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Jonathan Ramsey
The course is really broad, that's what I like about it. You can study anything from zoos to environmental pollution.
See full profile »Course content
The study of environmental sciences involves understanding the science that explains how the world works, how environmental challenges arise as a result of human activities (and sometimes natural processes) and how we can address them.
The subject matter is topical, absorbing and wide-ranging. Teaching is supported strongly by both practical work and fieldwork, enabling you to develop the field skills required by the sector. There are field courses in the Cévennes (southern France) and Devon, and an opportunity to gain real-life experience of environmental consultancy or other work experience. Environmental Sciences is offered in single or combined honours modes - see the Combine with... tab for the full list of combinations offered.
This course is broad-based with an emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of environmental sciences, so that environmental challenges (such as climate change, desertification, loss of biodiversity) may be understood and interpreted within the context of the underlying natural processes.
In Year 1, the core modules will introduce you to some of the earth's natural systems. In particular, you will learn about the diversity of living things, their relationships with the environment and their significance in terms of the cycling of substances on local and global scales. You will also cover human and environmental geography and environmental sustainability. There are also modules that give you a good science grounding and help you with the quantitative features of a science course.
A feature of your first year is a series of tutorials with your academic adviser (a member of the teaching staff who is responsible for overseeing your academic progress). The tutorials are designed to help you to adjust to academic life at university and establish good study habits.
Areas of particular interest that you can follow in Years 2 and 3 include wildlife conservation, animal behaviour, climate change, environmental management, geoarchaeology, ethics and threatened species.
As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown below.
Combined honours students may have a smaller list of modules to choose from than those studying for the single honours degree.
Year 1
- Biodiversity (double)
- Chemistry Principles and the Environment
- Environmental Sustainability
- Field Course: Identification and Methodology
- Introduction to Environmental Geography
- Introduction to Human Geography
- Skills for Life Scientists (double)
Years 2 and 3
- Advanced Topics in Wildlife Conservation
- Animal Behaviour
- Enterprise Skills for Life Scientists
- Environmental Change: Field-Work and Research (double)
- Environmental Consultancy
- Environmental Decision Making
- Environmental Hazard Management
- Environmental Processes, Pollution and Climate Change (double)
- Field Course: Surveys and Licensing
- Geoarchaelogy
- Geographical Information Systems
- Global Environmental Resource Policy
- Independent Study in Life Sciences
- Project (double)
- Research Methods for Biology and Environmental Sciences
- Science and Humanity
- Special Study in Life Sciences
- The Ethical Geographer
- Threatened Species
- Work Experience
Work placements
Our work experience module usually takes place during part of your summer vacation. It not only gives you a fantastic opportunity to gain some professional experience in an area of interest to you but also enables you to develop links with environmental organisations, which will enhance your career prospects.
Students have worked for ADAS, the UK’s largest independent provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice and have opportunities to work with our research groups, including our Environmental Information Exchange and Pond Conservation.
There are also opportunities to gain real-life experience of environmental consultancy. For example, one of our students worked for Oxfordshire Highways looking at the effects of salt on roadside verges.
Field trips
There are fantastic opportunities to go on field trips for many of our courses, which reflects our emphasis on learning through actively applying theory in both practical classes and the field.
Field course: Identification and Methodology
Students will experience a one-week trip to the Cévennes in the South of France. Cévennes is a most spectacular and diverse landscape that is rich in natural history. You will identify animals and plants in the field and apply a wide range of field techniques learned in the classroom.
Field course: Surveys and Licensing
Students visit a range of local environments to gain field techniques for assessing key habitat types and species for UK flora and fauna.
Environmental Change: Field-Work and Research
Students go to South Devon for a week to investigate environmental change using experimental design and advanced data analysis.
Study abroad
Information about exchanges, European work placements and other study abroad programmes is available here.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Department
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Professional accreditation
Our Environmental Sciences degree has been accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), the professional body for environmental scientists. Accreditation means professional recognition, which could enhance your career prospects once you graduate.
As a student on an accredited course, you automatically become a student member of the IES, and are entitled to use the post-nominal StMIEnvSc. Benefits include access to the members' area of the IES careers website, and regular contact with the environmental sciences community through the IES newsletter. On graduation you become eligible to apply for associate membership, which is your route to full membership and Chartered Environmentalist status as your career develops.
Course length
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: part-time study is possible
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane
Start date
September 2012
UCAS code
F900 BSc/EJ
Combine with...
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This course can be combined with one of the following subjects:
Anthropology
FL96 Mod/EVAN
Geography
FL97 Mod/EVGG
Human Biosciences
BF17 BSc/EVIQ
Fees / funding
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Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £9,000
Part-time: £750 per module. You can take up to five modules per academic year.
Tuition fees
International students
Full-time: £11,750
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
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Typical offers
A-level: BBC or equivalent
IB Diploma: 30 points
Advanced Diploma: Environment and Land-Based Studies at grade C
Students studying more than one science subject may receive a lower offer.
We seek to admit students who have the potential to make good scientists and accept that qualifications are not the only indicator of future potential. Typical offers also include:
- A-level grades BB plus 2 AS-levels grade C (equivalent to 280 UCAS tariff points). Students studying more than one science subject may receive a lower offer
- 1 12-unit vocational A-level grade BB plus 1 A-level or 2 AS-levels grade C
- other recognised qualifications, eg BTEC Nationals or Scottish qualifications (equivalent to 280 UCAS points).
If your combination of qualifications doesn't match our typical offer, please contact our Admissions Tutor.
Specific entry requirements
A-level: You must have studied science post-16, either at A-level or equivalent qualification. Preferred A-level subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Sciences and Geography.
GCSE: Mathematics, English Language and Double Integrated Science (or equivalent) at grade C minimum
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
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Gisela Schilling
Oxford Brookes offers a lot of support to the students and there is a close and friendly relationship between students and teachers. The class sizes are also small so you get to know your lecturers and fellow students.
See full profile »Why Oxford is a great place to study Environmental Sciences
As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which provides you with a host of learning opportunities. Students also benefit from our strong links with local organisations such as NERC's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Oxford is surrounded by over 100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest including Otmoor, Wytham Woods and Cothill Fen to name a few. Easy access to these sites provide excellent opportunities for fieldwork and we endeavour to fully exploit our local environment.
Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.
In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Science Library and can gain free entry to the Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum.
Specialist facilities
The department has a range of specially-designed facilities for students studying biology and environmental science related subjects. For example, the developmental biology area boasts both a butterfly lab and a laboratory dedicated to one of the most studied organisms in developmental biology, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Furthermore, we have a number of environmentally-controlled rooms and cabinets.
Alongside a range of microscopes enabling study of specimens from the organism to the cell level, the department also has a vast array of equipment for fieldwork and laboratory-based research at its disposal. From mass and atomic absorption spectrometers to bat detectors, moth traps and pond nets, you will get hands-on with chemical analyses and ecological surveys.
Support for students studying Environmental Sciences
Our Personal and Academic Support System (PASS) is gaining national and international recognition for its proactive approach to personal tutoring. It recognises that students need to make various adjustments as they move into higher education, whether from school or employment. The system encompasses three elements:
- a structured group tutorial programme
- an academic adviser who will help you to plan your degree programme and future career
- interaction with other students on your course.
The first stage includes regular seminars covering a wide range of subjects including research skills, understanding assessment criteria and making the most of coursework feedback. Our programme also helps students adjust to university life by developing their transferable skills.
Secondly, our academic staff monitor your progress regularly to check that you are maximising your potential. If you experience academic difficulties we can arrange for you to receive academic mentoring support.
Thirdly, if you are faced with challenges that affect your ability to study, such as illness, bereavement, depression, financial difficulties or accommodation issues, we will work with you in finding a way forward. Please talk to your academic adviser or our student support team. Oxford Brookes also offers a range of excellent services to support you.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
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James Stevenson
A degree does not teach you everything you need to get a job - you must learn job specific requirements in other roles alongside your degree. You need that extra experience and knowledge to make you more employable.
See full profile »Professional accreditation
Our Environmental Sciences degree has been accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), the professional body for environmental scientists. Accreditation means professional recognition, which could enhance your career prospects once you graduate.
As a student on an accredited course, you automatically become a student member of the IES, and are entitled to use the post-nominal StMIEnvSc. Benefits include access to the members' area of the IES careers website, and regular contact with the environmental sciences community through the IES newsletter. On graduation you become eligible to apply for associate membership, which is your route to full membership and Chartered Environmentalist status as your career develops.
Career prospects
The current and predicted rapid growth of the UK and international environmental industry has created a wealth of diverse, rewarding and well-paid employment opportunities for our graduates. A recent woodland officer post for the Forestry Commission England starts at £24k, for example. Our students also have a very good record of gaining employment that is relevant to their degree subject because employers value the knowledge and transferable skills gained from our degrees.
A large majority of our graduates are employed by environmental consultancies such as the locally-based but globally-operating RPS Group plc. Others have joined the Environment Agency, the Met Office, the Soil Association, local authorities, and governmental and non-governmental conservation organisations such as DEFRA, Natural England, the RSPB and other wildlife trusts. There are additional opportunities in environmental research organisations, including charities, as well as in business and industry.
Some of our graduates go on to further study while others go into teaching. Some choose not to pursue their subject specialism but use their degree to gain degree-level employment in a wide range of contexts including management, journalism and the media, finance and other areas of commerce, law, computing and the leisure industry.
Further study
Some of our graduates go on to further study at postgraduate level, for example our MSc degrees in Environmental Management and Technology and Conservation Ecology.
