BSc Environmental Science

Year 2

(Award available for year: Diploma of Higher Education)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year / programme students should be able to:

- demonstrate in-depth knowledge of particular environmental problems from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives;
- understand and analyse the complex relations between human and environmental systems as required to apply environmental science knowledge to environmental decision-making;
- develop environmental research design, methodology and analytical skills to enable an understanding of project design and execution, the synthesis and analysis of results and the use of environmental literature;
- display key fieldwork and analytical skills for environmental monitoring approaches and appreciate the complexities of field research in environmental science, and to demonstrate the ability to conduct field investigation independently and in groups.

The provision of a broad list of optional and elective modules retains the students flexibility in designing either a focused degree route, or one where they explore a wider range of environmental issues to enhance their interdisciplinary environmental learning experience.

Transferable (key) skills

On completion of the year / programme, students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme, an applied proficiency in the transferable skills necessary for employment in environmental and other careers, including:

- intellectual skills (for example, analysing generic and subject specific theories to situations outside the context in which they were originally studied, and evaluation and criticism of received opinion through individual problem-based exercises);
- practical skills (including applied practical competencies in field and laboratory work);
- communication skills (in written, graphic, C&IT and oral forms);
- numerical and C&IT skills (data collection, handling and analysis including initiation of the quantitative research process);
- interpersonal and teamwork skills (for example in group fieldwork activities);
- self-management and professional development skills (for example in structuring a suitable degree route and continued development of time management skills).

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of each module:

- demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects and skills from environmental science to both complex (standard) and simple (novel) situations;
- demonstrating analysis and synthesis of a wide variety of information sources;
- demonstrating basic professional competencies expected of an environmental scientist.