Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Bachelor of Science with Honours (Fnd) - BSHF
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Recruitable Target
Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Sandwich Year Out

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

Develop graduates with a critically informed understanding of the processes that shape our environment, and develop an integrated approach to the understanding, analysis and management of the interaction between the natural and human world.

Demonstrably link experiential learning and fieldwork to the wider development of both subject specific and practical skills, and to apply such skills to managing the environment.

Enhance employment prospects by developing graduates with a wide range of subject specific, and transferable technical skills (including ICT & GIS),analytical and critical skills, and encouraging development of these.

Develop powers of critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and logical argument through the progressive development of understanding, critical awareness and research skills over the course of the degree programme.

Promote the concept of continuous improvement, lifelong learning, and contribution to the wider community, through personal development and scholarly activity.

Empower students to engage with the development and acquisition of employability skills.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The acquisition of knowledge is promoted via a variety of formal taught sessions including lectures, practical sessions (laboratory and PC based) and fieldwork sessions. Understanding is facilitated through seminars, workshops, tutorials, field projects, interactive classroom activities, group work and independent study. Knowledge at levels 3 and 4 is assessed via online VLE tests, examinations (mainly Multiple choice and/or short answer questions) and coursework including reports, blogs and presentations (oral and poster). Higher levels of understanding in subsequent years of study are assessed by examination (multiple format including essay type, seen and unseen questions) and coursework elements such as field, laboratory, stakeholder and consultancy reports, seminar presentations with question & answer sessions and the application of relevant ICT (GIS) to deliver practical solutions to problems. Reflective practice and exercises developed to facilitate the wider dissemination of complex scientific issues demonstrate deeper levels of understanding. Cognitive skills are developed in many environments, with an increasing emphasis as students progress from level 4 to level 6. Such skills are especially developed on residential fieldwork modules, applied modules (including GIS based modules) and during the Dissertation module. The application of thinking skills in a work environment can be developed in the Work Based Learning (WBL) module. Essays and exam questions (including seen exam questions) are used to assess students' ability for critical thinking. Coursework elements such as reflective practice, field/laboratory reports, scientific communication and in particular the Dissertation/WBL module allows students to demonstrate the full range of their cognitive skills. Practical skills are taught during practical classes and fieldwork (a component of most modules). Core principles and minimum standards required for field and laboratory work are introduced at levels 3 from a general science perspective and 4 as an introduction to environmental science laboratory methods. They are further developed at level 5 where more technical methods of data analysis are introduced (GIS, and modelling). Students apply these skills independently at level 6 when completing the Dissertation module. If the WBL module is chosen these skills will be developed in an applied work place setting. Practical and professional skills are assessed by submission of field based presentations, field/laboratory reports, application of GIS and scientific communication. The Dissertation/WBL portfolio and other level 6 reports allow students to demonstrate the full range of skills they have acquired. As well as having the opportunity to develop transferable skills in all academic modules, key environmental science skills are specifically taught in specially designed modules: at level 4 - Methods Skills and Careers 1 and 2, level 5 - GIS and Employability, and level 6 - Dissertation and Environmental Modelling and GIS. Teaching in these modules is in small tutorial groups and via seminars, computer sessions, role play and workshops. Key skills are assessed through coursework at all levels in all modules and specifically in the modules mentioned above.

Opportunities for work related learning

Graduate and Transferable Skills are taught and practised within a wide range of modules and assessed within the core modules at Level 3 in the skills module Skills and Perspectives in Science 1, Level 4 within their skills modules Methods, Skills and Careers 1 and 2, Level 5 GIS and Employability, Level 6 Dissertation, Environmental Modelling and GIS, River Pollution and Management and/or Work-based Learning. Assessed employability components exist in Methods Skills and Careers 1 (Level 4), GIS and Employability (Level 5) and Dissertation (Level 6). This is designed to foster student awareness and engagement with their personal and professional development throughout their degree. Work-related learning opportunities are available through the routes of employer seminars, alumni networking events, guest lectures/workshops, employer-driven assignments and modules, bespoke sessions on job applications (specifically related to module curricula) and contact during fieldwork. There are several options for residential fieldwork at level 5 and 6. The Work-based Learning placement (135 hrs) and the Sandwich placement (12 months) offer the opportunity for students to gain work experience with a relevant professional organisation. Students are supported by the Professional Training Tutor who is responsible for advertising placements and promoting vocational training to students. Appropriate Work-based Learning or Sandwich placements (home or abroad) include working with e.g. Environmental Agency, municipal government, Natural England or environmental management or consultancy.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

At Level 3 all modules are core (compulsory). At Level 4 all modules are core (compulsory),including the residential field trip module 4306NATSCI*. At Level 5 students will have one core module in semester 1 - 5302NATSCI GIS and Employability and must pick two from three of the following options, 5202NATSCI … For more content click the Read More button below. At Level 6 students must choose in Semester 1, one of the following four options: 6300NATSCI Work Based Learning, 6315NATSCI Cold Environments: Processes and Change, 6204NATSCI Frontiers of Ecology, 6304NATSCI Coastal and Marine Management. In Semester 2 students must choose one of the following three options: 6218NATSCI Contemporary Issues in Conservation, 6308NATSCI River Monitoring and Management, and 6402NATSCI Renewables and Low Carbon futures. Study Abroad Students will be offered the opportunity of study abroad at Level 5. Option 1: Replacement of 60 credits of Level 5 with study abroad The programme will offer the opportunity of 60 credits of study at Level 5. Students will be enrolled on a 480 credit honours with study abroad programme. A 60 credit Level 5 study abroad module [5321NATSCI Study Semester Abroad Environmental Science] will replace Semester 2 modules on the standard BSc Environmental Science Programme. This study abroad will cover the same learning outcomes as the modules being replaced. The modules to be studied in the host institution must be agreed in advance. The Level 5 mean for the final award mark will be calculated based upon the 120 credits at Level 5. Option 2: Additional study year abroad following Level 5 The programme will offer the opportunity of an additional study year abroad following Level 5. Students will be enrolled on a 600 credit honours with study abroad programme. Of those 600 credits, 120 will be taken via a Level 5 study abroad module [5322NATSCI Study Year Abroad Environmental Science]. The modules to be studied in the host institution must be agreed in advance. The Level 5 mean for the final award mark will be calculated based upon the 240 credits at Level 5. Option 3: Sandwich Year The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give the students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study, as well as attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. The placement year [5320NATSCI Environmental Science Sandwich Year] will follow Level 5 and students will be enrolled on a 600 credit honours sandwich programme. The Level 5 mean for the final award mark will be calculated based upon the 240 credits at Level 5. *In the case that residential field trips are unable to proceed an equivalent learning experience will be provided.

Structure

Entry Requirements

A levels
Alternative qualifications considered
BTECs
International Baccalaureate
Other international requirements
UCAS points

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH26-01) geography, earth and environmental studies