Course Overview
Based within the purpose-built Lancaster Environment Centre, you'll have access to the latest knowledge and teaching from world-class experts, including volcanologists, geophysicists, atmospheric scientists, hydrologists and environmental modellers.
Combining the fundamental sciences with physical geography and geology, our Earth and Environmental Science degree gives you an unprecedented breadth of learning. You'll examine the geological processes that underpin our planet before linking these to human impacts on the land, atmosphere and oceans.
In your first year, your studies will include environmental processes, systems and issues; geological, biogeochemical and hydrological processes and an Introduction to Environmental Chemistry.
In your second year, you will study a range of subjects and develop a strong set of skills as well as undertaking environmental and geological field courses.
In your final year, you will complete your dissertation with Employability Skills or a work placement and choose from diverse options such as Air Pollution and Climate, Volcanic Processes Field Course and Water Resource Management.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Lancaster Environment Centre department.
Year 1
- Earth's Internal Processes
- Geological Processes
- Biogeochemical Processes
- Hydrological Processes
- Atmosphere, Weather & Climate I
- Natural Hazards
- Environmental Issues for the 21st Century
- Interdisciplinary Skills
- Environmental processes and systems
Year 2
- Environmental Field Course
- Project Skills
- Earth Science Field Skills
- Geological Mapping
- Catchment Hydrology
- Aquatic Biogeochemistry
- Practical Geological Skills: Understanding Geological Processes and Products
- Soil Science
- Atmosphere Weather and Climate II
- Principles of Biodiversity Conservation
- Environmental Data Visualisation and Analysis
- Composition of the Earth's Atmosphere
- Investigating Mediterranean Environments
- Enterprise for the Environment
Year 3
- Dissertation
- The Dynamic Earth
- Introduction to Geophysical Techniques
- Geological Hazards
- Climate and Society
- Enterprise for the Environment
- Hydrogeology
- Water Resources Management
- Principles of Biodiversity Conservation
- Conservation in Practice
- Issues in Conservation Biology
- Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
- Global Change Biology: Challenges and Solutions
- Environmental Data Visualisation and Analysis
- Catchment Hydrology
- Aquatic Biogeochemistry
- Atmosphere Weather and Climate II
- Composition of the Earth's Atmosphere
- Hydrology: from Process to Model
- Volcanic Process Field Course
- Metamorphism: Process and Product
- Air Quality and Climate
- Environmental Radioactivity
- Environmental Applications of Isotope Geochemistry
- Investigating Mediterranean Environments
- Physical Geography Fieldwork (Geomorphology of Northern Spain)
- Recent Change in Aquatic Environments
- Coastal Processes
- Environmental Remote Sensing and Image Processing
- Water & Environmental Management in a Mediterranean Context
- Environmental Magnetism
- Glacial Systems
- Lakes, Rivers and Estuaries
- Dissertation with Work Placement
- Interpreting the sedimentary record of environmental change
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Lancaster Environment Centre department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: ABB; candidates will normally be expected to have at least one science at A-level. We normally expect three A-levels.
General Studies: Only accepted if taken as one of four A levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
GCSE: Maths (B) and English Language (C)
Scottish Highers: BBBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 32 points total with 16 from 3 HL subjects
IELTS: 6.0
BTEC: DDM
HNC/HND: Pass
Mature students: Enquiries welcome; students on 'Access to Science' courses are encouraged to apply. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
Careers
Wherever an industry affects the environment, our graduates are valued. In the public sector, opportunities exist from research and regulatory bodies like the Environment Agency, through to the armed forces. Meanwhile, private sector industries, including civil engineering, environmental consultancy, mining and construction, demand the skills of Lancaster's high-calibre graduates.
The breadth of this degree, plus transferable skills in quantitative analysis, ensures that Lancaster's Earth and Environmental Scientists have a wide variety of career options.
Many graduates take their learning to MSc or PhD level to enhance their specialist knowledge and skills. Recent graduates, for example, have chosen to study Exploration Geophysics.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments which include the traditional lectures, tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using various methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include basic and in-depth questions, essays and data analysis. Students are supervised in the production of final year project reports and dissertations, while students in laboratory classes are supported by demonstrators. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2013, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2013 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2012.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
