Environmental Science

Snapshot

Why Study at Dundee?

Our planet has never needed well trained environmental professionals so badly! Our programme is an interdisciplinary programme where the teaching staff are drawn from a complementary mix of academic disciplines. This means that you will benefit from exposure to methods, facilities and research agendas that span the environment – from life sciences through chemistry, hydrology, remote sensing, geomorphology and oceanography to environmental physics. This provides a firm and rigorous foundation for your career in the environment.

You will enjoy fieldwork at all four levels of study – embedded into each stage of our programme. This includes an overseas (currently SE Spain) field class at Level 3, and day trips to the rich variety of stunning environments easily accessible from Dundee, from the Firth of Tay to the Cairngorms and beyond.

We have strong links to employers nationally, reflected by research and consultancy work undertaken by teaching staff and by the rising numbers of direct approaches we receive for graduates, including opportunities for work experience and summer placements. At the time of writing, we are seeking to have the programme professionally accredited, which will further develop the already excellent links between our courses and employment opportunities.

Employability

Both the academic content and the skills focus of our courses are tuned to preparing you for graduate employment, particularly in environmental consultancy where we are observing and predicting sustained growth in demand. Our focus on skills emphasises both transferable skills (eg in numerical problem-solving) and discipline-specific skills (eg flood risk assessment using industry-standard hydrological models) which are endorsed by employers as relevant to the needs of the employment marketplace. Staff have especially strong working relationships with the UK environmental regulatory agencies.

Typical examples of recent graduate destinations include the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, consultants (eg Enviros, MWH, Environmental Resources Management, W A Fairhurst) and local authorities.

Graduate profiles

Elaine Lonie graduated with a first class MA Honours degree in Geography and Environmental Science. She now works as a Senior Consultant with Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in London. As a senior project manager she is involved in international environmental due diligence, EHS compliance auditing and corporate assurance on behalf of corporate and venture capitalist clients worldwide. Her job provides many varied challenges and frequent opportunities for travel and work overseas. Elaine's undergraduate degree at University of Dundee was a vital foundation for her successful career. She says: "I have applied aspects of my MA (Honours) degree in all types of work I undertake at ERM".

David Haggart graduated with a lower second class MA Honours degree in Geography and Environmental Science and currently works as an Environmental Engineer with Raeburn Drilling and Geotechnical Ltd, based in Hamilton. His job involves the management and supervision of drilling projects, including liaison with clients, costing and personnel management. David has found his MA degree provided him with the skills required in his current job: "I not only have to have an understanding of geomorphological and geological processes, but also of economics, marketing and personal interactions – basic tools that my degree and experiences at University of Dundee gave to me."

Heather Miller graduated with an upper second class BSc Honours degree in Geography and Environmental Science and now works as an Environmental Engineer with W A Fairhurst and Partners in Glasgow. Her duties involve designing and supervising site investigations and risk assessment, hazardous waste classification and remediation strategy design and involves a mixture of desk and field based work ranging from Dundee Riverside to the Isle of Skye. Heather comments: "The broad range of subjects covered in my degree gave me an ideal foundation for working in the geoenvironmental sector. Transferable skills integrated into the course such as IT, problem solving, numeracy and report writing provide the skills base needed for any graduate job."

Teaching and Assessment

We believe that students progress most effectively through a stimulating and diverse range of teaching methods, including active participation in laboratory and computing practical classes, seminars, small group discussions, fieldwork, guided independent study, coursework and lectures. The programme is designed to build your knowledge and understanding successively at each level of a four-year degree, developing both transferable skills in information technology and communication and subject specific skills in laboratory analysis, remote sensing and site investigation. Great emphasis is placed on learning through fieldwork, both independently and in group work. Throughout Level 1, special study skills sessions are provided to support the transition to independent study which underpins most university learning.

Assessment is through a combination of coursework, comprising all laboratory and fieldwork reports, class tests, essays and verbal presentations, and end-of-year examinations. Coursework counts for 75% of the overall assessment at Level 1, 50% at Level 2 and between 40% and 100% of the modules at Levels 3 and 4.

Advanced Entry to Level 2 of the programme is available to suitably qualified applicants.

Special Features

• Active ERASMUS links allow exchange study at Umea (Sweden), Lausanne (Switzerland), Dresden (Germany), Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid), Vigo (Portugal).
• Guest lecturers from environmental employers address key environmental issues throughout the programme.
• Fieldwork emphasis throughout programme.
• All lecture courses led by research-active staff from across all contributing disciplines.
• Staff operate an open-door policy for all students – students encouraged to approach staff as and when they wish.

Programme Content

Notes on Programme Progression

Level 1

The Level 1 modules provide a thorough grounding in the principal areas of Environmental Science. You will develop competence in a range of practical and IT skills, and in written and verbal communication. Your studies will be structured in two half-year (semester) modules: The Physical Environment and Environments For Life. The topics covered include Geology, Physical Geography, Hydrology, Environmental Physics, Environmental Chemistry, Weather, Climate and Environmental Biology.

Level 2

You will develop more detailed understanding in key areas of Environmental Science combined with skills in site investigation and laboratory analysis. Your studies will be supported through regular field excursions in the local area. Your knowledge and understanding of Environmental Science will be developed through two half-year modules. The first – Management and Monitoring – comprises units on Geoscience, Remote Sensing and Environmental Resource Management. The second – Mechanisms and Measurements – comprises units on Aquatic Science, Ecology and Chemistry.

Level 3

Your studies will provide more specialised understanding of specific areas of Environmental Science in addition to further developing your skills in laboratory analysis, remote sensing and site investigation. Your studies will be focused within four core modules – - Environmental Geoscience, Environmental Remote Sensing, Environmental Quality and Diagnostics and Ecology and Conservation Biology – of which Joint Degree students take two.

Level 4

In addition to completing your own research project you will be able to choose the areas of Environmental Science you specialise in from a range of modules offered.

MA Degree Structure and Overview

Visit the MA overview page for general information on our MA degree programme.

Entry Requirements

Your Application

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

The Dundee MA degrees follow the distinctive pattern of many Scottish universities by offering a broad-based education that requires you to study a number of different subjects in Levels 1 and 2 (Level 2 only for the Advanced Entry Honours degrees). You do not have to finalise your choice of degree course until you are better able to appreciate both the nature of the subjects you are studying and the relationships between them. However, you must make an initial choice of course on the application form and we would expect you to provide some evidence of your enthusiasm for your chosen course and details of any relevant experience.

We use a range of learning methods at Dundee: you will be expected to respond to the information and advice provided by academic staff, especially in lectures; to prepare for and participate in tutorial discussion or to work in practical classes; to work individually or in groups on set assignments such as essays and projects; and to 'read round' the subject. Consequently, we are looking for evidence that you are capable of working systematically, of responding to the guidance of your teachers, and that you have both the ability and enthusiasm to successfully complete a degree programme.

A degree in Environmental Science helps you develop a wide range of complementary skills designed to support you in a career as an environmental professional. We place emphasis on basic skills of numeracy and literacy, but teach our courses in a way which makes them accessible to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Indeed, that diversity adds to the value of our students' learning experiences.

No prior environmental experience is required. Good students have an enthusiasm to learn about the environment and how our understanding of it affects its management. Many have gained their own insights into environmental issues through travelling abroad or through conservation projects. Basic IT skills and some breadth of basic grounding in the sciences are an advantage.

Tips for your application

What is important to us, in your application, is the evidence provided by the grades you have attained, or are predicted to attain, in your examinations, along with whatever you and your referee can point to indicating both your special interest in any of our subject areas, and your general liveliness of mind.

Your personal statement is an opportunity to say why you should be offered a place to study in Dundee. We are looking for applicants with an ability to express opinions clearly with reasoned support and evidence, who are open to critical guidance, and who have a commitment to high standards of achievement in all they do. These qualities can be demonstrated through academic attainment, paid or voluntary work, and extra-curricular activities of all kinds.

Referees should concisely indicate your analytical abilities, communication skills, capacity for academic work, and commitment to your studies. We will be interested to hear about examples of initiative, leadership, and any evidence of organisational skills. Indicators of a positive outlook and engagement with social and cultural activities will be welcome, as will an assessment of your potential to develop in the university environment.

We will consider applications to one or more MA courses at Dundee: each application will be considered on its merits. We are looking for applicants who either have achieved, or will achieve, the published requirements in terms of Highers, Advanced Highers, A-Levels or acceptable alternative qualifications.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in 3 years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Contact

Karen Simpson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384 028 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 028 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk