Environmental Geoscience Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Environmental Geoscience is the study of the interaction between natural geological and anthropogenic processes and environments. It focuses on working towards a sustainable future by understanding how humans affect, and are affected by, a range of geological and environmental issues including climate change, water resources, pollution, landscape change, and geological and environmental hazards. You will use your understanding of the Earth system to solve real world socio-environmental problems.

Environmental Geoscience prepares you to pursue a variety of careers including geo-environmental consultancy, engineering & water management, geological hazards, and renewable energy development & implementation.

The flexibility of our programmes will enable you to choose your specialist subject after an integrated first and second year which will prepare you for both degrees in Environmental Geoscience and Geology. We deliver a series of specialised courses that will prepare you for a career in many geo-environmental sectors, including geo-environmental engineering, management and monitoring. You will take part in an exciting fieldwork programme at various UK locations.

Programme structure

Years 1 & 2

You will study the major themes of environmental geoscience, underpinned by key geological principles, using a problem-based approach to learning integrated with topical examples.

You will cover fundamental environmental geoscience principles, including the evolution of life, surface processes & environments, the sustainable exploration for resources & energy, climate change, water security and waste & contaminated land management. These principles are supported by the understanding of geological concepts such as plate tectonics, the structure of the Earth, volcanoes, earthquakes, how rocks deform, and the evolution of the oceans & continents. You will develop a range of spatial, analytical and computational skills.

You will participate in local field classes in both years, and a residential field class in your second year, where you will develop your practical and problem-solving skills.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2 to pursue your interests and ensure maximum flexibility.

Years 3 and 4

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will study a number of core courses covering past & future climates, hydrogeology, environmental aqueous geochemistry, landscape change, sedimentary systems, and engineering geology. You will develop spatial, numerical and computational skills, both in the laboratory and in the field.

You will participate in residential field classes in the UK, as well as day field classes. You will also undertake an independent project in your final year where you will develop and answer a research question based on data you have collected.

You will have the opportunity to tailor your degree to align with your interests and career aspirations. You may choose from a wide range of optional courses, many of which are focused on environmental aspects of geology, physical geography and applied environmental geoscience.

Our international links

Travelling and overseas work are major features of an environmental geoscience career and we encourage our students to take advantage of the University’s extensive exchange programmes to study abroad. Our students have studied in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, USA and Europe.

Career prospects

Our recent graduates are employed by a range of organisations and private companies in the geo-environmental sector such as:

* Atkins Realis

* BAM Nuttall Ltd

* Equinor Hywind

* Mason Evans

* Scottish Environment Protection Agency

* Scottish Water