BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability

• Year 1

• The first year will establish solid foundations across a range of scientific, legal, social and economic areas in order to explore environmental challenges and propose solutions. Field and laboratory work are key, and our residential field course promotes team building and allows you to gain practical experience.

  Core modules

  • Environment and Society (ENVM1001)

    This module examines the role of human society, organisations and individuals in environmental management and sustainability, through case studies in the local area. We will examine the concepts of environmental narratives, environmental consumption and behaviours, agency and change leadership and show that environmental management can be addressed on scales from the global to the local and from the present to the future.

  • The Physical Environment (ENVS1002)

    Introduction to the earth's lithosphere and hydrosphere and investigation of geochemical cycles.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sustainability Science (ENVS1009)

    Students are introduced to environmental systems and sustainability at a variety of scales. Training in the skills of environmental investigations is delivered through field and laboratory work. Personal and professional development are supported through tutorials and workshops focusing on transferable skills and professionalism.

  • Global Environmental Challenges (ENVS1010)

    Students will consider contemporary global sustainability challenges in the context of social, economic and environmental systems. Within this inter-disciplinary framework, students explore and formulate solutions to a range of complex problems and consider the role of environmental sector professional operating across a variety of scales.

• Year 2

• Year 2 covers the themes of economics and resources, global sustainable development and environmental law and policy. Your research skills will be developed through fieldwork located in the UK or overseas.

  You'll also have the opportunity to study options from Geography, Environmental Science, Business and Education. 

  In Year 2 you have the option of studying overseas on one of our many university exchange programmes.

  Core modules

  • Environmental Data Management (ENVM2001)

    This module develops students understanding of the research process as well as competence in research skills at all stages of investigation, from formulating a research questions to deriving insights from results. The module also introduces professional tools of environmental management, such as life-cycle assessment. Skills are practised in application to a range of environmental management issues.

  • Environmental Management and Sustainability in Practice (ENVM2002)

    Students engage in the full cycle of a project in environmental management - literature research, hypothesis development, experiment planning and risk assessment, field/laboratory work, data analysis and communication. Personal development planning and professional skills are advanced in preparation for and during field work through contact with professionals in the environmental sector.

  • 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.

  • 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 modules

  • Natural Ecosystems and Their Conservation (ENVS2006)

    This module introduces students to natural ecosystems, including (but not limited to) biological adaptation, diversity, conservation, restoration and management.

  • Nature, Country and Society (GGH2206)

    This module explores the relationship of human societies to nature and the country. You will examine different understandings of nature and rurality, and how these affect the ways in which different cultures approach environmental problems.  We will consider how the countryside is changing and the implications for people and nature. The module will also ask you to think about your own lives in relation to these ideas.

  • Geographical Information Systems (GGX2203A)

    Module provides grounding in theory and practical techniques of GIS. Lectures are on theory, methods and spatial literacy. Practical work covers stages of handling geospatial data, construction of GIS models and automation, provides exposure to a range of techniques in spatial analysis and visualisation, and gives context and experience to spatial literacy concepts. Knowledge and skills are developed in project work.

  • Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment (OS205)

    This module will introduce how human activities (such as fisheries, energy supply and mineral extraction) can impact the marine environment, including through pollution and biodiversity loss. The concepts of marine management and conservation will be introduced and methods of preventing and managing anthropogenic impacts will be introduced and evaluated and their role in marine conservation discussed.

• Year 3

• Placement year (optional)

  An optional placement year is available, providing an opportunity to gain work experience through our extensive network contacts with our alumni employers and research links with institutes, companies and government organisations.

  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

• You will apply system thinking to sustainability and environmental management, and learn the principles and practice of environmental management and its role in promoting sustainability. You will examine the complex issues behind a single UN Sustainable Development Goal and select an environmental issue as an individual research project; where possible projects are carried out with partner organisations and research groups. 

  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.

  • 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.

  Optional modules

  • Systems Thinking and Change Leadership in Sustainability (ENVM3001)

    This module develops and applies holistic or systems thinking to environmental management and sustainability, showing how this approach can help individuals and groups engage with global challenges and identify change leadership opportunities. Students will develop concepts and methods of systems thinking and apply these in complex and uncertain contexts, so that more sustainable solutions can be envisioned and developed.

  • Systems Thinking in Sustainability: Independent Investigation (ENVM3002)

    This module provides an opportunity for students to experience professional practice in environmental management and sustainability. Students will undertake a minimum of 100 hours service with a professional organisation (private, public or third sector). You will investigate the organisations practice in environmental management and sustainability and further develop professional attitudes and behaviours.

  • Environmental Politics and Governance (GGH3210)

    This module explores the main concepts and forces shaping environmental politics and governance. It examines how science, ethics, interests and power influence environmental debate and decision-making, using case studies of climate change, energy, deforestation, air pollution, marine protection and Antarctica to interrogate how governments and other actors have strived to address global to local environmental challenges.

  • Big Data & Spatial Analytics (GGX3204)

    This module provides an overview of advanced spatial analysis concepts and facilitates practice of data processing and management skills. Data manipulation through programming is introduced and the concept of big data is presented. Themes and practice around the acquisition, processing, analysis, visualisation and application of big data are explored, drawing on examples from across the natural and social sciences.

  • Marine Conservation Policy and Planning (OS307)

    This module explores issues surrounding the maintenance of a healthy marine environment. It will develop an understanding of marine governance, including policy frameworks and agencies responsible for implementing marine conservation strategy. Topics include the range of measures and approaches for successful marine conservation and the importance of taking holistic approaches to management, including policy and planning

  • Systems Thinking and Change Leadership in Sustainability with English Language Support (ENVM3004)

    This module applies systems thinking to environmental management and sustainability. Students will develop skills in holistic or systems thinking and apply these to complex environmental problems to determine sustainable solutions. Students will attend English language support sessions that apply technical language in a research context and aid adaptation to a different culture/ethos of research.

  • Systems Thinking in Sustainability: Independent Investigation with English Language Support (ENVM3005)

    Students apply concepts/methods of systems thinking to an independent critical assessment of an environmental management and sustainability issue, drawing on existing knowledge/skills to undertake and report on an investigation to professional standards. Students attend English language support sessions applying scientific language in context and aiding adaptation to a different culture/ethos of research and plagiarism.

  • Work Based Learning in Geography and Sustainability (GEES3001)

    This module provides an opportunity for students to experience professional practice in environmental management and sustainability. Students will undertake a minimum of 100 hours service with a professional organisation (private, public or third sector). You will investigate the organisation's practice in environmental management and sustainability and further develop professional attitudes and behaviours.

  • Long-term Environmental Change (GGP3211)

    Society is dependent on the environment for sustaining life as we currently know it. This module takes a series of environmental challenges and places them in a long-term perspective to place current disruptions in a longer-term context. The module focusses on how we can learn lessons from the past to manage our current and future environment.

  • Contemporary Arctic and Alpine Challenges (GGP3212)

    High latitudes and altitudes are warming faster than many other regions of the world. This module takes a contemporary, and forward looking, perspective on the grand challenges that impact the resilience of these landscapes and societies in present and future climates and their associated hazards. Students will learn practical skills to quantify environmental pressures and critically evaluate mitigation strategies

  • Climate Change Action (ENVS3016)

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

  • Environmental and Resource Geoscience (GEOL3022)

    This module investigates the interactions between humans and the subsurface, from the impact of industrial legacies on land quality and water resources, to the role that the subsurface plays in renewable energy storage. Students learn to use industry standard software and workflows to evaluate subsurface sites for energy resources, safe subsurface storage of resources, carbon dioxide or hazardous waste. 

  • Environmental Change Through Earth History (GEOL3024)

    This module will demonstrate how the study of past environmental change can be used to help us better understand the impacts of future anthropogenic induced environmental change. Using a range of cutting edge geochemical, palynological, and modelling techniques, students will evaluate past environmental changes events as proxies for the future.

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 Management and Sustainability programme specification_5845