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Environmental Science

What is distinctive about Environmental Science?

Studying Environmental Science at Dundee provides you with the opportunity to explore the problems associated with the interaction of humans and the natural environment, focusing on topical and relevant issues such as climate change, pollution of land and water and the management of natural resources.

A distinctive feature of Environmental Science is its multidisciplinary nature, being taught by subject specialists from Life and Physical Sciences as well as Physical and Human Geography, who deliver a diverse and up-to-date syllabus, complemented by talks by practicing Environmental Scientists. This provides you not only with an academic understanding of environmental issues, but also the practical skills to tackle environmental problems through techniques such as site investigation and sustainable resource management. Fieldwork is an important component of Environmental Science and Dundee has unrivalled access to a superb range of sites for field classes, including mountains, lowlands, coasts, estuaries and urban environments, supplemented by a week long field class in south-east Spain. In addition to taught field classes, you will have the opportunity to conduct your own field investigations under the supervision of Environmental Science staff.

Extracurricular Activities

Environmental Science students and staff quickly get to know each other through field classes and group project work, creating a friendly and informal atmosphere. The student-run Geography and Environmental Science Society (GESS) provides a lively and informal focus for social activities, which include talks, dinners and an annual ceilidh. Environmental Science students, together with Geography students, regularly organise expeditions to different parts of the world. In recent years groups of students have successfully raised funds and sponsorship to travel to Iceland, where they have carried out scientific research projects into glacier hazards, environmental change and human impacts on the environment.

 

Module Content

Level 1

The Physical Environment - EV11001 Semester 1 Credits 20
This module examines the geology, geomorphology, hydrology and energy processes that developed and sustain the physical environment on planet Earth, through a series of lectures and workshops.
Environments for Life - EV12002 Semester 2 Credits 20
This module examines processes operating within the atmosphere and biosphere and introduces the chemical principles that sustain a habitable environment on planet Earth, through a series of lectures and workshops on environmental chemistry, weather and climate, ecosystems and aquatic science.

Level 2

Management and Monitoring - EV21001 Semester 1 Credits 20
This module develops your understanding and practical skills in environmental monitoring and policy through workshops, field classes and lectures in the areas of geoscience, environmental resource management, remote sensing and data analysis.
Mechanisms and Measurements - EV22002 Semester 2 Credits 20
This module develops your understanding and practical skills in environmental biology and ecology through workshops, field classes and lectures in the areas of aquatic science, ecology and chemistry.

Level 3

Study Abroad students may take level 3 modules, however, evidence of prior knowledge may be required in the form of transcripts. To find out more about this contact us.

Core Modules:

Environmental Remote Sensing - EV31003 Semester 1 Credits 30
This module provides an overview of the physical principles of remote sensing and covers a number of environmental applications of Earth observation techniques. Theoretical understanding developed in lectures is combined with 'hands-on' practical skills in digital image processing and air photograph interpretation.
Environmental Geoscience - EV32002 Semester 2 Credits 30
This module develops understanding of the nature of environmental change and of the methods used to reconstruct past environments; it also examines the interactions between people and the geological environment.

Optional Modules:

Environmental Quality & Diagnostics - EV30004 Semesters 1 & 2 Credits 30

This module provides an introduction to experimental and observational analysis in Environmental Science.  The overall aim is to provide an introduction to the concepts and principles of maintaining good environmental quality and performing routine diagnostic tests.  Formal lectures on key topics such as concepts and measures of quality, sources of pollution and fate of pollutants are supplemented by literature and lab-based case studies.

Ecology and Conservation Biology - BI32028

 Semester 2 Credits 30

This module introduces the basic principles of ecology and conservation biology, covering fundamental aspects of population and evolutionary ecology and community ecology and examines the challenges and opportunities posed by conservation.
Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal - TP32004 Semester 2 Credits 30
This option deals with topics which are at the cutting edge of sustainable development policy and practice, including Environmental Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Landscape Design and Management - TP42003

 Semester 2 Credits 30

This module provides students with an in-depth knowledge of the natural and cultural factors that determine the appearance of the landscape and develops understanding of the principles of visual design and their historical development.

In addition to these modules, Level 3 Environmental Science students can also choose from the following Geography modules:

Population Geography - GE31003 Semester 1 Credits 30
This module focuses on demographic change in the developed and developing worlds and addresses key questions about processes such as mortality, fertility and internal migration.
Glacial Processes and Environments - GE31002 Semester 1 Credits 30
This module takes you to the spectacular ice-covered parts of the planet to discover how glaciers form, how they tell us about climate change, and how their motion impacts on the shape of the landscape.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) - GE42010 Semester 2 Credits 30
This module introduces students to the principles of GIS, covers data entry, management, analysis and mapping of spatial information, and involves the execution of a GIS project to solve a particular environmental or social problem.

Level 4

Study Abroad students may take level 4 modules, however, evidence of prior knowledge may be required in the form of transcripts. To find out more about this contact us.

Core Module:

Environmental Resource Management - EV41002 Semester 1 Credits 30

This module provides a theoretical background to resource use and abuse and provides understanding of the practical applications of resource management principles. As well as the links between physical and biological systems and the history, culture and politics of the human activity associated.

Optional Modules:

Field and Research Project - EV41003 Semester 1 Credits 30

This module develops skills and techniques in conducting research during a residential field course, which then leads on to an independent student research project, involving data collection, analysis and writing up of a 10,000 word report. All students receive one-to-one supervision from a member of staff.

Animal Behaviour and Ecophysiology - BI31017

 Semester 2 Credits 30

Aiming to develop knowledge and awareness of animal behaviour, this module aims to show the ways in which physiological functions common to all animals have become uniquely adapted to the demands imposed by extreme environments and an insight into the dynamic nature of the host/parasite relationship.