Environmental Science

Course Structure

At Bath Spa Environmental Science is studied from two related perspectives – Biology and Geography. Whilst some topics are compulsory, the programme is flexible and you can select from a large number of optional topics offered by the Biology and Geography subject areas.

Your choice will reflect your interests and career aspirations. Along with this flexibility is the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of environmental science; e.g. the impacts of tourism, aquatic (freshwater and marine) environments, environmental management, or environmental protection and conservation. Alternatively, you can maintain a broader interest in the subject; the choice is yours.

There is a strong emphasis on practical work. In addition to well equipped laboratories, there is a rich variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments and habitats on campus. You will experience day-long field visits to local sites of interest as well as the option of residential field trips to more distant parts. Our teaching was rated as ‘excellent’ by independent auditors, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

An outline of the three years of the BSc programme is provided below.

Level 4 (year 1)

You study the Biology and Geography 40-credit core modules at Level 4. You have to choose another 40 credits’ worth of modules to make up your 120 credits at this Level. Although the programme permits you to study any of the available modules across the university, most Environmental Science students choose modules from within the Biology and Geography subject areas, i.e. a mix of two 20-credit Biology or Geography modules.

Level 5 (year 2)

At Level 5 you must take the 40-credit core Geography module (‘Investigating Environment and Society’), and the 20-credit Biology modules Ecology, and Environmental Management. You have a free choice of two more optional 20-credit modules from those within the Environmental Science programme.

Level 6 (year 3)

The only compulsory module al Level 6 is a 40-credit Dissertation, which can be either in Biology or Geography. Additionally, you must choose at least one Biology module and at least one Geography module from those within the programme at Level 6. Business Management’s Managing Sustainability module is also available for selection at this level.