Environmental Geoscience
UCAS code F7F6
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
Study Environmental Science at Liverpool and become part of the solution in tackling climate change and other environmental challenges. You’ll gain the skills necessary to understand how the most important aspects of planet Earth work, and how to apply that knowledge to make a difference.
Introduction
To save the planet, we need to understand the planet. You will develop key knowledge and skills to help tackle the effects of climate change and ensure a sustainable environment for all.
You’ll graduate with a broad knowledge of environmental science, and a range of skills spanning problem solving, numeracy and coding, field work, data acquisition, and report writing and communication skills, all designed to equip you for a career helping maintain a sustainable environment on our planet.
You will be taught by research-active staff, at the forefront of their chosen fields, within small groups for a collaborative and conversational experience.
By the time you graduate, our extensive field training will have equipped you with the specific practical skills necessary for a career in Earth Sciences.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. Fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
What you'll learn
- How to practically apply knowledge to make a real-world difference
- Problem solving
- How to present and communicate clearly
- Teamwork
- How to confidently use industry-standard research equipment
- How to undertake research and field work
Accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Geological Society of London, satisfying the requirements of Fellowship and Chartered Geologist status.
Accreditation in detail
Geological Society of London
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
ENVS117 is a compulsory module for those without A level Maths or Physics at grade C or above. You should discuss this with your programme director at the start of the academic session.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
In year 3 you will carry out an independent research project on a topic and location of your choice.
ENVS300 is a research project that can take place in the field, laboratory or a combination. If students choose a geological field mapping project, data collection in the field will take place in summer between Years 2 and 3. If students choose a laboratory project, data can be collected in the summer between Years 2 and 3 and during Semester 1 of year 3. Report write-up will take place in Semester 1 and 2.
Students must select one field class module from ENVS362 and ENVS375.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| THE LIVING, EVOLVING EARTH (ENVS320) | 15 |
| EARTH SCIENCE PROJECT (ENVS300) | 30 |
| APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE (ENVS331) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Teaching takes place through a mix of lectures, practical work, workshops, seminars, tutorials and fieldwork, with an emphasis on learning through doing. Students value the learning opportunities provided by field classes, including the rapid and detailed feedback on performance.
You will typically receive 15-20 hours of formal teaching each week, and complete between 50 and 100 days of residential fieldwork over the course of the programme. All research projects are supervised by a member of staff who will meet with you on a weekly, or more frequent, basis.
Field work is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective students with disabilities on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
How you're assessed
Assessment matches the learning objectives for each module and may take the form of written exams, practical laboratory and computer examinations, coursework submissions in the form of essays, scientific papers, briefing notes or lab/field notebooks, reports and portfolios, oral and poster presentations and contributions to group projects, and problem-solving exercises. Assessment is via tasks that mirror those graduate students are likely to undertake working as professional geoscientists. For example, generating and interpreting quantitative spatial data, with appropriate consideration of inherent uncertainty, is a key task and necessary skill for professional environmental geoscientists, and this skill is developed and assessed on several programme modules, especially field and lab-based modules. As well as being authentic in terms of the underlying purpose of the assessed task, assessment tasks are also authentic in terms of format, intended audience, resources used, and collaborative team elements. For example, team-based environmental assessment work with professional format delivery appropriate for presentation to management-level colleagues using state-of-the-art field, lab or IT resources is central to assessments in field classes.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC (including ) |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM. Forensic Science is not accepted. |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus a science subject at A level grade B; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus a science subject at A level grade B another A level grade B. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level including a science subject at grade B. |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Year in industry
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
- Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
- Experience and understand workplace culture and discipline
- Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
- Begin your professional network
- Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
Your course will be delivered by the Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences. Our unique partnership with the Marine Biological Association allows our students access to their specialist staff, laboratories and equipment. We also have close links with the National Oceanography Centre, and the award-winning Central Teaching Laboratories provides a state-of-the-art facility for practical work.
Explore where you'll study
Studying Earth Sciences
Discover what you’ll study, the facilities and resources you’ll have access to, and how we’ll prepare you for your future career.
Virtual tour
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Studying Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
Discover what you’ll study, the facilities and resources you’ll have access to, and how we’ll prepare you for your future career.
Careers and employability
The skills gained through studying a degree in Environmental Science are applicable in many areas of employment, from environmental protection and consultancy, planning and conservation, through to the geotechnical, mineral and energy resource industries, as well as careers in scientific research or academia.
Many Environmental Geoscience graduates move on to have careers working for employers such as:
- Geological Surveys in the UK and abroad
- Hydrocarbon and support industries
- Engineering and environmental consultancies
- Mining and related industries.