Course Overview
Environmental Science is an integrated study of the challenges facing environments, both natural and man-made. Our degree enables you to combine the disciplines of Geography, Geology, Chemistry and Physics and investigate subjects including climate change, sustainability, pollution and geological hazards. We offer theory-based lectures alongside practical work, both in the lab and in the field.
You start your Environmental Science degree studying subjects such as Hydrological and Geological Processes and move on to second year modules including the Composition of Earth's Atmosphere and an Environmental Field Course.
In your final year, you complete a Dissertation with Employability Skills or Work Placement as well as studying options such as Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.
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
- Catchment Hydrology
- Aquatic Biogeochemistry
- Atmosphere Weather and Climate II
- Environmental Data Visualisation and Analysis
- Dissertation
- Dissertation with Work Placement
- Data Analysis and Programming Skills
- Soil Science
- Introduction to Atmospheric chemistry
- Practical Geological Skills: Understanding Geological Processes and Products
- Principles of Biodiversity Conservation
- Interacting Landscapes: Biogeography and Geomorphology
Year 3
- Populations to Ecosystems
- Principles of Biodiversity Conservation
- Conservation in Practice
- Issues in Conservation Biology
- Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
- Global Change Biology: Challenges and Solutions
- Practical Geological Skills: Understanding Geological Processes and Products
- Soil Science
- Composition of the Earth's Atmosphere
- Dissertation
- Hydrological Processes Field Course (Slapton)
- Hydrology: from Process to Model
- Hydrogeology
- Water Resources Management
- The Dynamic Earth
- Introduction to Geophysical Techniques
- Geological Hazards
- Air Quality and Climate
- Environmental Radioactivity
- Climate and Society
- Environmental Applications of Isotope Geochemistry
- Organic Pollutants in the Environment
- 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
- Enterprise for the Environment
- Ecosystem Services and Society
- Dissertation with Work Placement
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.
General Studies: Only accepted if taken as one of four A levels
Preference: Students with 6 units of assessment in science, but, exceptionally, will accept high quality students with only 3 units of assessment in science
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 pts overall with 16 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: Overall grades of DDM with distinctions in 3 modules
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
IELTS: 6.0
Careers
Our Environmental Science degree prepares you for careers within government and regulatory bodies as well as environmental consultancy within the private sector. Recent graduates have found employment as lab and water technicians while others have transferred their skills into data analysis roles. Many of our students continue to MSc or PhD level, with recent graduates specialising in areas such as hydrology, sustainable technology and toxicology and environmental health.
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.
