Course Overview
You will study in the award-winning Lancaster Environment Centre and receive the highest-rated teaching in the field. Our Environmental Chemistry degrees are recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry and cover the full spectrum of Environmental Chemistry. It takes you from an understanding of naturally occurring chemicals through to the investigation of the impacts of human activity and the effects of pollutants, including radioactivity, on natural and man-made environments.
You begin your degree studying subjects including Environmental Processes and Systems and Biogeochemical Processes. In your second year, you will follow modules such as Soil Science and an Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry. In the final year of your chosen degree, you study a range of compulsory and optional subjects, such as Organic Photochemistry, and complete work on your dissertation or research project.
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
- Atoms and molecules
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences
- Organic Chemistry
- Spectroscopy and Bio-inorganic Chemistry
- Geological Processes
- Biogeochemical Processes
- Hydrological Processes
- Atmosphere, Weather & Climate I
- Environmental Issues for the 21st Century
- Interdisciplinary Skills
Year 2
- Electrochemistry and Kinetics
- Transition Metal Chemistry
- Environmental Field Course
- Project Skills
- Aquatic Biogeochemistry
- Soil Science
- Atmosphere Weather and Climate II
- Populations to Ecosystems
- Principles of Biodiversity Conservation
- Environmental Data Visualisation and Analysis
- Catchment Hydrology
- Composition of the Earth's Atmosphere
- Enterprise for the Environment
- Introduction to Atmospheric chemistry
Year 3
- Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics
- Organic Photochemistry
- Dissertation
- Water Resources Management
- Air Quality and Climate
- Climate and Society
- Hydrological Processes Field Course (Slapton)
- Environmental Radioactivity
- Environmental Applications of Isotope Geochemistry
- Organic Pollutants in the Environment
- Dissertation with Work Placement
- Global Change Biology: Challenges and Solutions
- Chemical Oceanography
- Applications of Aquatic Chemical Models
Year 4
- Biological Effects of Air Pollution and Climate Change
- Toxicological Mechanisms and Measurements
- Consequences of Toxicological Effects
- Dissertation - MChem
- Modelling Environmental Processes
- Environmental Radioactivity
- Pollution Microbiology
- Chemical Risk Assessment
- Contaminated Land and Remediation
- Environmental Toxicology
- Environmental Sampling and Analysis for Trace Organics
- Environmental Applications of Isotope Geochemistry
- Behaviour of Pollutants in the Environment
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 including Chemistry. We normally expect three A-levels
General Studies: Only accepted if taken as one of four A levels
Preference: Students with 6 units of assessment in Chemistry, but, exceptionally, will accept high quality students with only 3 units of assessment in Chemistry
Key skills: Not included in offer
GCSE: Maths (B) and English Language (C)
Scottish Highers: BBBBB, including Chemistry
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 best three HL courses
BTEC: Overall grades DDM
HNC/HND: Pass Mature students: Enquiries welcome from applicants with a good background in Chemistry
IELTS: 6.0
Careers
Typically, half our Environmental Chemistry graduates go into environmental careers with employers ranging from small consultancies through to local and national government and large utility companies. About a quarter of graduates go on to jobs in other sectors and use their transferable communication, numerical and computer skills. From construction to consultancy, pharmaceuticals to product development, graduates with the skills gained from this degree are in demand. Chemistry lends itself well to teaching and research and many graduates continue their studies with us, developing new ways of protecting the environment.
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.
