Course Overview
Our Environmental Biology degree covers an immense scope, from molecular biology through to ecosystem ecology. You will learn about the relationships between organisms and their environment, including the study of animal behaviour, animal and plant physiology, and gain a solid understanding of mankind's impact on the environment. In your first year, you will study modules including Life in a Changing Environment and Environmental Processes before turning your attention to courses such as Environmental Physiology and Enterprise for the Environment in your second year. The subjects you can look forward to in your final year include Global Change Biology and Environmental Pathogens.
Our Environmental Biology course is also available with a Study Abroad variant, where you spend your second year in a partner university in the USA, Canada or Australasia.
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
- Evolutionary Biology
- Variety of Life
- Aquatic Ecology
- Life in a Changing Environment
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Spanish-Donana Field Course
- Atmosphere, Weather & Climate I
- Natural Hazards
- Environmental Issues for the 21st Century
- Interdisciplinary Skills
- Environmental processes and systems
Year 2
- Populations to Ecosystems
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Research Design and Delivery
- Evolution
- Environmental Physiology
- Enterprise for the Environment
- Cell Biology
- Medical Microbiology
- Genetics
- Principles of Biodiversity Conservation
Year 3
- LEC Environmental Biology Dissertation
- Global Change Biology: Challenges and Solutions
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Dissertation with Work Placement
- Conservation in Practice
- Issues in Conservation Biology
- Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
- Animal Behaviour
- Environmental Plant Biology
- Ecophysiology of Host-pest Interactions
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. To include two science A-levels from Biol/Chem/Comp/Env Sci/Geog/Geol/Maths/Physics/Psychology
General Studies: Only accepted if taken as one of four A levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
GCSE: Maths and English Language, grade 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 pts overall with 16 pts from the best three HL subjects
BTEC: DDM grades overall
Mature students: Applications welcome
IELTS: 6.0
Careers
Our graduates find work in related fields such as energy management or conservation. Others take on diverse roles within the pharmaceutical, forensic, food and medical industries. Some recent graduates have gone on to MSc studies in biomedicine, forestry and forest ecosystem management, or used the skills they learned for roles in teaching.
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 2014, 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 2014 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 2013.
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.
