Description
Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Professional Placement
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Professional Placement | Programme code | UFS4GOAGOACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Cornwall Campus |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
This programme is the University’s flagship environmental degree and promotes a truly interdisciplinary systems approach to environmental science. In this degree you will learn the science behind the complexity of the Earth’s biotic and abiotic environmental processes, which will allow you to understand and respond to the biggest debates in contemporary environmental science. You will begin the degree by thinking about the “grand challenges” facing society and the way that science and technology can help respond to these challenges. The programme structure is designed to give you the essential skills that environmental employers demand, meanwhile allowing you to pursue your interests in the wider subject area. The degree covers a broad range of disciplines, from environmental chemistry and physics, to environmental management and law. It is led from the department of Geography within CLES, but other departments feed in (Biosciences and Law) to provide an interdisciplinary flavour. The degree draws on the international research excellence of teaching staff and is supported by the University’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) – an interdisciplinary centre leading cutting-edge research into the consequences of environmental change and the mitigation and management of its effects.
At our Penryn Campus we offer a welcoming atmosphere, where you are encouraged to make the most of Cornwall’s unique environment, both in your studies and in your free time. Our programmes treat Cornwall as a ‘natural laboratory’, taking learning into the field to explore the incredible diversity of natural landscapes in the region.
On the work placement, you will gain valuable experience by spending a year working within an organisation appropriate to your degree. You will apply for positions with relevant organisations, with the support of the module convenor. You are encouraged to consider a range of organisations, including consultancies, charities, NGOs, research institutes and universities. The Centre for Geography, Environment and Society (CGES) has established collaborations with local, national and international organisations that you can consider when applying for placement positions. You will gain valuable experience from the professional placement: you will learn to apply the skills learnt during the first and second years, improve personal and transferable skills, make new contacts and enhance employability. Professional placements allow you to develop your career focus and are extremely valued by employers.
When participating in field courses, you will be required to cover any visa costs and, if necessary, purchase anti-malarial medication and relevant immunisations. You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, eg. walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. You may incur additional costs dependent upon the specific demands of the research project chosen. Details of specialist equipment, vaccinations and visas that you must supply at your own expense are provided at http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6569.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
This programme is designed to train the next generation of environmental practitioners. It achieves this in several ways:
- The programme seeks to introduce a broad range of theoretical concepts in environmental science from a solid physical foundation in the first year, through to more management- and practice-focused modules in the second and final years.
- The programme offers an integrated interdisciplinary curriculum to allow you to make connections between physical processes, ecological patterns, and environmental policy and practice.
- It aims to equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skill-sets required by environmental employers. This includes hands-on training in the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing analysis and field data collection and analysis.
- It uniquely combines the study of the natural and semi-natural environment with consideration of environmental policy and law, enabling you to make science-into-policy connections and to facilitate environmental decision making.
- The programme encourages you to think about human interactions with the environment, through understanding complex issues such as climate change and ecosystem services.
- Through fieldwork and other activities, this programme promotes intellectual curiosity about the environment and how it functions.
- The programme provides training in a range of general and transferable skills (e.g. IT, statistics, data handling, writing and presentation) to propel you to high level careers in the environmental sector.
- The programme aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the applications of environmental science in the workplace.
- It encourages you to think critically, evaluate evidence, analyse, challenge, solve problems, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively.
You will be taught by internationally recognised research-active staff through a range of methods including lectures, seminars, tutorials, field work, and laboratory sessions. Throughout the programme emphasis is placed on developing practical hands-on expertise, grounded by sound theoretical knowledge. We embed important environmental science skills within modules, including GIS, remote sensing and practical data analysis. We include a range of fieldwork from local to international venues and you will engage in fieldwork of all varieties and in many different environments throughout the programme of study.
We apply novel methods of interactive teaching in the Environmental Science degree. From your first year you will engage with hands-on enquiries using databases, maps and satellite data, developing GIS tools to facilitate understanding of the local, regional, national and global picture of the natural world and all of its processes. Lecture material will be global in scope but practical work will build from a local focus in year 1 to a global perspective by the final year. By the end of your degree you will be able to use spatial datasets to answer environmental questions important to the future of our planet.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/current/
http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/
http://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/programme/modules/
https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/studentinfo/subjects/mathematicspenryn/modules/
http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/students/undergraduatemodules/
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in the first, second and final stages as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
If you have mobility or health disabilities that prevent you from undertaking intensive fieldwork, reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered. This could include replacing a fieldwork module with an alternative in agreement with the Director of Education.
You are also permitted to take the five-credit module LES3910 Professional Development Experience in any year. Registration on this module is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, this module will not count towards progression or award calculation.
Stage 1
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO1405B | Earth System Science | 15 | No |
| GEO1408B | Global Issues in Environmental Science | 15 | No |
| GEO1416 | Environmental Science Tutorials | 15 | No |
| GEO1421 | Marine and Environmental Science Field Course | 15 | No |
| GEO1419 | Introduction to data science | 15 | No |
| LAW1016C | A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeoP S1 BSc-MSci ES opt 2021-2 | |||
| BIO1411 | Genetics | 15 | No |
| BIO1426 | Ecology and Conservation | 15 | No |
| GEO1401B | Approaches to Geographical Knowledge | 15 | No |
| GEO1420 | Atmospheric and Oceanic Systems, Their Interactions and Importance | 15 | No |
| BIO1431 | Introduction to Human Sciences | 15 | No |
| GEO1413 | The Geography of Cornwall | 15 | No |
Stage 2
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
a You may not take GEO2449 and LES2002 in the same academic year.
b The field course module, GEO2460, is compulsory. If you are unable to take the field course, you will be required to take another optional module.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO2440 | Geographical Information Science and Systems | 15 | No |
| GEO2441 | Remote Sensing for Environmental Management | 15 | No |
| GEO2460 | Environment and Sustainability on the Isles of Scilly [See note b above] | 15 | No |
| GEO2461 | Second Year Tutorials | 15 | No |
| GEO2462 | Research Design and Methods | 15 | No |
| LAW2016C | Environmental Regulation and Redress | 15 | No |
| LES2400 | Introduction to Professional Placements | 0 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeoP S2 BSc-MSci ES opt 2021-2 | |||
| BIO2406 | Biodiversity and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIO2407 | Population and Community Ecology | 15 | No |
| BIO2425 | Introduction to Ecological Consultancy | 15 | No |
| BIO2432 | Exploitation of the Sea | 15 | No |
| BIO2441 | Applied Insect Ecology | 15 | No |
| BIO2451 | Evolution of Human Societies | 15 | No |
| CSC2010M | Oceans and Human Health | 15 | No |
| CSC2021 | Health, Place and Wellbeing | 15 | No |
| GEO2442 | The Politics of Climate Change and Energy | 15 | No |
| GEO2444 | Landscape Evolution | 15 | No |
| GEO2445 | Rural Social Issues | 15 | No |
| GEO2450 | Biogeography | 15 | No |
| GEO2451 | Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans | 15 | No |
| GEO2454 | Waste and Society | 15 | No |
| GEO2457 | Physical Ocean Processes | 15 | No |
| GEO2458 | People and Nature | 15 | No |
| GEO2456 | Social and Cultural Geographies | 15 | No |
| POC2114 | Green Politics in Theory and Practice | 15 | No |
| GeoP Employability opt 2021-2 [See note a above] | |||
| GEO2449 | Green Consultants | 15 | No |
| LES2002 | Workplace Learning | 15 | No |
Stage 3
120 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO3324 | Professional Placement | 120 | Yes |
Stage 4
45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules (you will have the option of taking a field course in your final stage but the location has not yet been finalised)
a You may not take GEO2449 and LES2002 in the same academic year.
c Changes to your dissertation topic will not be possible beyond 1 December in the final stage.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO3513 | Dissertation in Environmental Science [See note c above] | 40 | Yes |
| GEO3471 | Preparing to Graduate | 5 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeoP SF BSc-S3 MSci ES opt 2021-2 | |||
| BIO3131 | Trends in Ecology and Evolution | 15 | No |
| BIO3135 | Human Behavioural Ecology | 15 | No |
| BIO3411 | Science in Society | 15 | No |
| BIO3420 | Evolutionary Biology of Health and Disease | 15 | No |
| CSC4013M | Frontiers of Global Health | 15 | No |
| CSC4011M | Living with Environmental Change | 15 | No |
| GEO3437B | Climate Change and Society | 15 | No |
| BIO3428 | The Complexity of Human Societies | 15 | No |
| GEO3448 | Quaternary Environmental Change | 15 | No |
| GEO3452 | Literature Review in Environment and Society | 15 | No |
| GEO3454 | Antarctica: Science from a Frozen Continent | 15 | No |
| GEO3457 | Geographies of Democracy | 15 | No |
| GEO3455 | Marine Climate and Environmental Change | 15 | No |
| GEO3458 | Marine and Coastal Sustainability | 15 | No |
| GEO3459 | Whole Energy Systems | 15 | No |
| GEO3461 | Arctic Frontiers: Can We Preserve the Arctic Environment? | 15 | No |
| GEO3466 | Biological Oceanography | 15 | No |
| GEO3467 | Human-Animal Interactions | 15 | No |
| LAW3016C | Legal Response to Environmental Destruction | 15 | No |
| BIO3434 | Major Transitions in Evolutionary History | 15 | No |
| BIO3433 | Ocean Management and Conservation | 15 | No |
| POC3117 | The Politics of Climate Change | 15 | No |
| GEO3469 | Catastropolis | 15 | No |
| CSM3409 | Politics, Mining and Sustainable Development | 15 | No |
| GeoP Employability opt 2021-2 [See note a above] | |||
| GEO2449 | Green Consultants | 15 | No |
| LES2002 | Workplace Learning | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Describe in detail the scientific theory underpinning the study of the environment. | Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical laboratory and field skills, independent reading and synthesis. | ILO1 - Explicitly through essay and exam in core modules in first year. ILO2 - First year is highly interdisciplinary and modules are assessed against student’s understanding about interconnections through essays and exams. Final year field course and second year Key Skills modules explore inter-relationships between human and physical environments through assessed presentations and applied examples. ILO3 - Explicitly through content of core and optional modules in all years. ILO4 - Through group discussions and debates in law modules in all years, and field classes. ILO5 - Training in the first year and final year field classes, second year Key Skills module, first year data handling module, and through the final year dissertation in Environmental Science. ILO6 - Reflective report, poster, employer assessment and an oral presentation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
7. Evaluate the diversity of approaches towards the generation of environmental knowledge and understanding, with detailed knowledge of essential facts and theory. | Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical laboratory and field skills, data handling, independent reading and synthesis. | ILO7 – Explicitly through module-based assessment in all years. Assessment of performance in modules is through written examinations, short answer tests; practical work and reports; quantitative problems; project report or dissertation; oral presentations; and formatively through Q&A in lectures and practical classes. ILO8 – First year is intentionally designed to expose students to a range of ideas and theories from science to social science, all of which underpin the integrated understanding of global environmental science. Coursework and exams in core modules of first and second years are particularly relevant. ILO9 – Assessment will be through essay and review assignments in most modules at all years. Students are made aware of the marking criteria for all major pieces of work and receive detailed feedback on their performance. ILO10 – Assessment is primarily in the dissertation in final year when skills learned in first and second years (field classes and key skills) are deployed independently towards a research question of the student’s choice and guided through close supervision by a member of academic staff. ILO11 – Reflective report, poster, employer assessment and oral presentation |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
12. Work effectively independently and as part of a team. | Personal transferable employment skills and knowledge are embedded in all modules. Methods include Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical laboratory and field skills, data handling, independent reading and synthesis. | ILO12 – Independent work through written and oral assessments in all modules, and through examination assessment in all years. Team work: through group presentations and activities in field classes in first and final years, and in second year Key Skills. ILO13 – In the second year Key Skills module. ILO14 – Data analysis tools are assessed in class tests for first year data handling, second year Key Skills, and final year dissertation and field course modules. ILO15 – Through coursework, essays, projects and exams in all modules in all years. ILO16 – Through coursework, essays, projects and exams in all modules in all years. ILO17 – Through critical writing tasks assessed in a range of modules through second and final years and in the dissertation. ILO18 – Explicitly through coursework in core modules in all years. ILO19 – Reflective report, poster, employer assessment and oral presentation |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Progression Rules
To progress to Stage 2 you must normally achieve an average mark of at least 60% in Stage 1. If you do not achieve an average mark of 60% in Stage 1, you will be interviewed to determine whether you can continue on the Professional Placement programme; if you do not succeed in that interview you will be required to transfer to the three year programme. This is to ensure that only those students who are likely to succeed in their professional placement are selected. If you are unsuccessful in your application for a professional placement, you will be transferred to the three year programme.
LES3002 Professional Placement counts as a single 120 credit module and is not condonable; you must pass this module to graduate with the degree title of BSc Environmental Science with Professional Placement. If you fail the professional placement your degree title will be commuted to BSc Environmental Science.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
You will be located in the Centre for Geography, Environment and Society (Penryn Campus), where close working relationships are fostered. You will receive formative feedback from various discussion groups/in-lecture exercises throughout the delivery of each module and therefore receive essentially continuous feedback during the taught component of the programme. Project supervisors provide academic and tutorial support once you move on to the research component of the programme. In addition, the Programme Director will offerevery student a meeting each term with an academic who provides guidance and feedback on assessment performance. Your progress will be monitored and you can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage.
Students undertaking a placement in the UK will receive one personal visit and you will be expected to participate in monthly email updates. You will have access to support from the Professional Placement module supervisor who can be contacted via e-mail or phone as required.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Professional Placement
19. UCAS Code
F753
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Earth sciences, environmental sciences and environmental studies
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 28/04/2015 |
Date of last revision | 08/07/2022 |
|---|