BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience

Our Earth science students have tremendous opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in a variety of work settings. Our hands-on approach to teaching and learning throughout the course will provide you with the topical skills and experience that you can apply to the wide range of career options as graduates.

Where could an Earth science degree take you?

• Develop a range of knowledge and skills essential to a range of careers in the Earth and environmental sectors.
• Our approachable staff share their cutting-edge research and expertise through varied teaching practices in lectures, tutorials, practical classes and field courses.
• Learn to apply the latest techniques in the field and laboratory. Our substantial fieldwork programme uses the unrivalled local range of geological and geographical locations. Residential overseas fieldwork visits regions of active tectonics such as Death Valley, Italy and Sicily.
• All students have the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programmes.
• Students can undertake a placement year, between the second and final year, working full time for a geological employer.
  
• Improve your skills in our open access laboratory, LABplus.
• Develop your confidence with your personal tutor, providing you with regular guidance throughout your degree.
• Get support from students in the year ahead via our PALS mentoring scheme.
• Live and study close to the sea, Dartmoor and two geological UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Receive free essential field safety equipment as part of your welcome package.
• Work towards becoming a Chartered Geologist, our accreditation by the Geological Society, the world’s oldest and most prestigious national learned society for geology, helps you to gain the required experience.

• Year 1

• Laying the foundations with modules that build core knowledge, your first year provides you with an introduction to essential laboratory and field skills. You'll learn about key Earth processes, take a practical approach to the study of minerals and rocks, develop your understanding of core concepts in sustainable geoscience. Our tutorials will help you gain effective study techniques and computing skills with a personal tutor, providing you with weekly guidance throughout your first year.
  

  Graphical overview of our course structure.
  

  Core modules

  • Environmental Management and Protection (ENVS1008)

    Introductory aspects of environmental sustainability. Critical evaluation of social, environmental and economic aspects of the environmental issues faced by our planet and how they may be solved by using regulation, the law, corporate social responsibility, specific European Union directives, impact assessments and environmental management systems.

  • The Biosphere (ENVS1003)

    This module will describe, illustrate and explain principles, processes and concepts relevant to understanding life on Earth and human impacts upon it.

  • Sustainable Geoscience (GEOL1008)

    An introduction to sustainable geoscience and the role of geoscientists in the solution of global challenges and UN sustainable development goals.  Introduction to good, professional and ethical scientific practice. The module also introduces the Earth as a system of interlinked spheres (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere), and the unifying paradigms associated with geological time and plate tectonics. 

  • Earth Materials and Resources (GEOL1009)

    An introduction to Earth materials (minerals, rocks and resources) and geological structures, focussing on their formation, composition and properties from a theoretical and practical perspective, supported by case study(ies). The environmental and ethical issues associated with resource exploitation will be introduced. Students will be introduced to safe and professional field practice. 

  • Climate Tectonics and Hazards (GEOL1010)

    This module provides an introduction to Earth Surface processes and their interactions with plate tectonics, at present and in the geological past. Participants learn how an understanding of Earth surface processes and environments can be used in determining the cause and nature of past and future climate and oceanographic change, and in the understanding, prediction and mitigation of a range of geological hazards. 

• Year 2

• Year 2 consolidates the knowledge and skills developed in year one, with an emphasis on practical skills. You'll develop observational, analytical and interpretive skills and the ability to use them to answer fundamental questions. You'll also learn how to use a GIS and develop new field skills during a field course in the UK. You’ll also have the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our direct exchange, Erasmus or ISEP programmes. 
  

  Core modules

  GEOL2014 The Earth Surface and Critical Zone
  ENVS2004 Environmental Issues and Communication
  GEOL2015 The Earth's Interior and Resources
  ENVS2003 Environmental Management and Sustainability
  

  Core modules

  • Environmental Management and Sustainability (ENVS2003)

    The module covers areas of knowledge essential for all environmental science graduates: ecological economics, life supporting resources and environmental law.

  • Environmental Issues and Communication (ENVS2004)

    Through immersion in contemporary environmental issues, this module develops the knowledge and skills necessary to locate, analyse, evaluate and communicate scientific information in a range of contexts and to a range of audiences. Students develop their professional skills, as well as the skills to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and decision makers, from scientific experts to the general public.

  • The Earth Surface and Critical Zone (GEOL2014)

    This module provides a practical and theoretical understanding to the analysis of the Earth surface and near surface (the Critical Zone), integrating a range of data and analytical methods to explore present and ancient environments. 

  • The Earth's Interior and Resources (GEOL2015)

    This module provides a theoretical and practical understanding of the analysis of the Earth’s subsurface. Students learn how to analyse and interpret subsurface data (including geophysical techniques) and geological materials formed in the subsurface, applications of these techniques and knowledge in resource exploration and production, and the impacts of subsurface investigations. 

  • Placement Preparation (GEES2000)

    This module explores the role of placements, work experience and volunteering for enhancing employability whilst at university and as a future graduate. It considers placement options (types, durations) and supports students in developing applications and preparing for interviews.

• Optional placement year

• Take advantage of our optional placement year, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in the workplace gaining valuable experience.  Find your perfect placement with the help of our employability service and benefit from specialist workshops and tutorials in your second year, helping you prepare for your year in industry.

  Core modules

  • Placement (GEES3000)

    This module is a placement position, where a student undertakes a programme of work within a host company or organisation. The placement occurs within a yearlong period, meeting minimum duration requirements. Students experience applying their degree, experience professional practice, develop enhanced subject-related knowledge and skills, and undergo personal-professional development.

• Final year

• Your third year gives you the opportunity to develop specialised knowledge and skills through selecting optional modules from the Earth and environmental science courses. Optional modules include engineering geology, global environmental solutions, climate change: adaptation and mitigation. You may also undertake advanced fieldwork and will complete an independent research project, which will develop your professional skills.
  

  Core modules
  

  GEOL3016 Geoscience Research Project
  ENVS3012 The Environmental Professional
  

  Optional modules
  

  ENVS3013 Global Environmental Solutions
  ENVS3011 Climate Change: Adaption and Mitigation
  GEOL3013 Environmental Change in Earth History
  GEOL3014 Geohazard and Risk
  GEOL3015 Energy Transition Geoscience
  GGP3204 Biological Conservation
  GEOL3010 Engineering Geology
  GEOL3019 Neotectonics, hazards and Resources
  

  Core modules

  • The Environmental Professional (ENVS3012)

    A series of real-world scenarios, which typical professionals in the environmental sector are exposed to, will be considered in an objective, scientific and interdisciplinary manner, taking into account a range of stakeholders. The material and professional development will be supported with guest speakers, seminar and workshops.

  • Geoscience Research Project (GEOL3016)

    This module involves the planning, data collection, data analysis and manipulation, interpretation and presentation of a substantive piece of original geological research, based around primary data collection by the student. The project may involve field, laboratory, desk-based or combination study. 

  Optional modules

  • Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation (ENVS3011)

    The module introduces climate change adaptation and mitigation. Biotic and technological mitigation will be explored and evaluated in the context of different geographical settings.

  • Global Environmental Solutions (ENVS3013)

    In this module students will take an interdisciplinary solution-based approach to contemporary global environmental issues employing both ecological economics principles and environmental law.

  • Engineering Geology (GEOL3010)

    This module examines the application of earth science techniques and knowledge to civil engineering. Includes desk studies, remote sensing interpretation, database analysis, UK and European Codes of Practice, site investigation design, ground model development, engineering geology in a range of construction situations, and technical reporting.

  • Environmental Change in Earth History (GEOL3013)

    This module evaluates cutting-edge techniques to understand and interpret modern and ancient environmental change. It uses an integrated approach using fossils, sediments and geochemistry to investigate topical and exciting case studies from the geological past and modern systems. The module has important implications for understanding and responding to modern-day environmental change.

  • Geohazards and Risks (GEOL3014)

    This module will provide an overview of common and destructive geological hazards (e.g. earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions), how they interact together and ways of assessing risk. Physical processes of the hazards will be covered and how they will interact together. Quantifying hazard and risk will be illustrated through case studies. Practicals will have a numerical theme and will link to employability.

  • Energy Transition Geoscience (GEOL3015)

    This module gives an understanding of current and predicted energy scenarios, impact of energy use and the role of geoscientists in decarbonisation and meeting global sustainable development goals. You learn how energy resources form (petroleum, geothermal, critical minerals) and theory, strategies and practical skills used in resource exploration, development and production, and evaluation of carbon capture & storage.

  • Neotectonics, Hazards and Resources (GEOL3019)

    This module involves the study of a tectonically active setting to gain an in-depth understanding of how active tectonics and environmental change interact and have evolved to control the nature and distribution of geological and geomorphological features, natural hazards and resources. The impacts/mitigation of hazards and resource exploitation are evaluated, usually around field data.

  • Biological Conservation (ENVS3015)

    This module examines the pursuit of biological conservation. Drawing on a wide range of case study material, in temperate and tropical, terrestrial and aqueous environments, the module examines the drivers and rationales for biological conservation, and the role of stakeholders, policies, legislation and practices in achieving it.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience programme specification_6961

UCAS tariff

112 - 120

IB
28 - 30 points overall to include science related subjects.

A level
112 points including a minimum of 2 A Levels in a science subject (see subject list below) or 120 points including 1 A Level in a science subject (see subject list below).

We accept the following A Level subjects: Biology/Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths/Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design and Technology, Psychology, Computer Science/Computer Programming, Information Technology/Information and Communication Technology.

BTEC QCF Extended Diploma/RQF National Extended Diploma: DMM to DDM – science related subject. You are encouraged to contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk if you do not meet this criteria.

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Access:
Pass an Access to HE Diploma (science based) with at least 33 credits at merit. You are encouraged to contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk if you do not meet this criteria.

GCSE
All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) English and Mathematics at grade C / 4 or above.

English language requirements.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.