📖Program Curriculum
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Field work and practical experience are at the core of this programme The School of Interdisciplinary Studies is uniquely located with easy access to estuarine maritime and terrestrial environments such as the Southern Uplands peat bogs and moorland These features together with the extensive agricultural and forested environment of the region present a vibrant and diverse “laboratory” in which to study This programme also offers students exceptional placement opportunities which is fundamental to developing the skills for graduate employment
YEAR 1
Year 1 provides a broad-based education representing a mixture of three core environmental courses and three electives from non-environmental programmes This gives you the opportunity to add breadth to your degree Core courses
Introduction to environmental science
This course looks at components of the biosphere and how we use this knowledge to manage or remediate environmental problems
Earth system science
This course introduces you to the Earth’s major systems both now and in the past and examines the Earth’s history and environment by considering the fundamental processes which determine the general functioning of the Earth as a system
Introduction to global environmental issues
In this course you will explore the most significant and topical global environmental issues affecting societies ecosystems and the physical milieu
YEAR 2
You will take the core courses
Research methods for environmental scientists
Human impacts on the environment
Biodiversity ecology and ecosystems
Energy options for sustainability
At each level you can also choose from a range of elective courses across other disciplines
YEAR 3
You will study
Applied ecology and conservation
Aquatic environment processes monitoring and management
Rural tourism and stewardship
You will also undertake either a dissertation or placement where you will gain experience in the environmental sector
YEAR 4
The Honours consists of an environmental stewardship project on a research topic of your choice and courses on Environmental policy and management Perspectives on the environment and a residential Environmental field course
FIELDWORK AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
The School of Interdisciplinary Studies is uniquely located for the study of Environmental Science & Sustainability with easy access to estuarine maritime and terrestrial environments such as the Southern Uplands peat bogs and moorland These features together with the extensive agricultural and forested environment of the region present a vibrant and diverse “laboratory” in which to study
Examples of past and current field classes include
Freshwater macroinvertebrate sampling
Water quality sampling and chemical analysis
Sampling for plastic pollution on the Solway coast
Field class to Grey Mare’s Tail to investigate glacial landforms
Field classes to a number of energy generation sites within Dumfries & Galloway for example Galloway Hydro Torness Nuclear Power Plant Steven’s Croft Biomass Power Plant
Weekly fieldwork on the Research methods for environmental scientists course which includes skills such as phase 1 habitat surveys; laboratory skills; soil sampling with chemical and physical analysis; mapping and GIS
Field class to Edinburgh Zoo to examine the role of the modern zoo and see the pandas
Course details
YEAR 1
Your core courses will cover environmental science Earth system science and global environmental issues
Level 1 SCQF Level 7
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
YEAR 2
Level 2 SCQF Level 8
Core courses
HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
BIODIVERSITY ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY OPTIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
RESEARCH METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
YEAR 3
Level 3 SCQF Level 9
Core courses
APPLIED ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION
AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT PROCESSES MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT
RURAL TOURISM AND STEWARDSHIP
You will also undertake either a dissertation or placement where you will gain experience in the environmental sector
Placement opportunities
YEAR 4
The Honours consists of an environmental stewardship project on a research interest of your choice and courses on environmental policy and management perspectives on the environment and the environmental field course
Level 4 SCQF Level 10
ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD COURSE
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
PERSPECTIVES ON THE ENVIRONMENT
