Environmental science

About us

The environmental science subject group has a forty-year track record of providing research, consultancy and graduates for the environmental sector. We offer PhD supervision and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in marine geochemistry, pollution monitoring and water catchment management. We have well developed research and work placement links with the environmental sector and successful, professionally accredited programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. We have the largest number of international students within the faculty and collaborative research, expeditions and teaching partnerships with world leading universities and institutions in South East Asia.

Environmental science has received research and project grant income of over £2 million since 2008, with research focused around the monitoring of marine geochemistry, water quality and catchment management. Our research is used to underpin our teaching using state-of-the-art equipment in ISO accredited laboratories. The majority of the our staff are research active with submission to the latest REF (2013) in the Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences and the Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science Units of Assessment.

Scholarships

The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences offer scholarships for outstanding achievement. As part of our Potential High Achievers Scheme we want to encourage you to continue to work hard for your exams, which are so important for your future career. We will reward those applicants who achieve the highest grades in their exams and demonstrate a commitment to Plymouth University by awarding them £1,000 when they enrol. We would encourage this scholarship to be spent on the final year optional field trip or towards study costs.

PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Scheme)

Now in it’s fourth year, the environmental science PALS scheme continues to support stage 1 students through the efforts and creativity of the stage 2 PALS leaders. As the introduction of the Curriculum Enrichment Project has transformed the stage 1 curriculum, it has proved harder to advise on unfamiliar projects and assessments. Nevertheless, the leaders have adapted well; using exercises targeting generic skills that feature in both the old and new programmes and setting up 'big conversations' on the environmental issues that face us all.

“Getting help on work has been particularly useful, especially for the Slapton field books and poster work. Guidance on referencing really helped!"

PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Scheme)