Study Environmental Science and graduate with a university degree

Environmental Science as a discipline has grown out of increasing concern for the environment and the need for a scientific approach to the study of human impacts on natural resources. Today’s environmental scientists are challenged to find solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, pollution, energy, loss of biodiversity and lack of food and clean water. Our course provides the necessary grounding in the science and the technical training to investigate these problems and find appropriate management solutions. University of Stirling was one of the first universities to establish a degree course in Environmental Science in 1980 and we are still committed today to training graduates with the skills valued by employers. This focus has created genuine career opportunities with a wide range of organisations including water authorities, research institutes, conservation bodies, businesses, local authorities and government agencies. Previous graduates have gone on to enjoy successful careers in areas such as environmental consultancy, transport planning, waste management, education and ecotourism.

Year 1

Highers BBBB.
A-levels BBC.
IB Diploma with a total of 32 points.
HNC or HND with Bs in graded units.

Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.

Year 2

A-levels or Advanced Highers ABB to include one of Geography/Geology/Environmental Science and Biology.
HND with Bs in graded units in relevant HNDs.

Other information

If examinations are taken over two sittings, or there are repeats or upgrades, the entrance requirements may be higher.

International students can study our Undergraduate Certificate if they do not possess the necessary entrance requirements to be admitted directly to the first year of an undergraduate degree course.

Required subjects

One of Geology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics at Higher (B), A-level (C), IB Higher Level at 4.

Other qualifications not mentioned above must include science-based subjects.

Mathematics Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent.

English Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent. Applicants with English Standard Grade (3) will also be considered, although alternative entry conditions may be made in this case.

information on possible sources of funding

Full-time (three modules per semester). Part-time (one or two modules per semester). February entry also available.

Semesters 1 - 4

Year 1 core course explores the science and policy behind global physical processes and provides training in laboratory and field skills. This is followed in Year 2 by studies of biogeochemical processes and training in data analysis.

In Years 1 and 2 you will take core modules in:

• Building Planet Earth
  
• Landscape Evolution
  
• The Biosphere
• Ecology
• Three Practical Skills modules in the Natural Sciences and Quantitative Techniques
  
• Aviemore Field Course
  

A further four modules are chosen from the diverse range of subjects across the University. People and the Environment, Global Environmental Issues, Environmental History, Blue Planet, Aquatic Environments and Biology are popular choices since they offer the flexibility to change into other natural science degrees.

Semesters 5 - 6

In Year 3, you will take two core advanced skills modules:

• Field and Laboratory Techniques
• Field Class in Spain

A choose a further four modules from a range of Semester 5 - 8 module options.

Semesters 7 - 8

In your final year you will develop your skills through an independent in depth review essay, an independent research project and a choice of three further advanced modules from a range of semester 5 - 8 options.

Semester 5 - 8 full and half module options currently include:

• Environmental Policy and Management
• Soil Quality and Protection
  
• Environmental Hazards
• Drainage Basins
• Soils, Sediments and Landscape History
  
• Agriculture and Food Security in the 21st Century
  
• Geographical Information Systems
• Remote Sensing
  
• Conservation Management
• Restoration Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Palaeoecology
• Glaciers and Landscapes
• Sustainable Energy
• Sustainable Water Management
  
  

Year 1

• Building Planet Earth
• Lab Skills
• Landscape Evolution
• Field skills
  

Year 2

• Ecology
• Aviemore Field Course
• Biosphere
• Statistical Techniques
  

Year 3

• Environmental Policy and Management
• Advanced Analytical Techniques
• Residential fieldtrip to either SE Spain or Iceland
• Choice of modules from Semester 5-8 options
  

Year 4

• Honours Dissertation Project
• Environmental Science Review Essay
• Choice of modules from Semester 5-8 options
  

Semester 5-8 options

• Environmental Policy and Management
• Environmental Hazards
• Drainage Basins
• Sustainable Energy
• Sustainable Water Management 
• Soils, Sediments and Landscape History
• Agriculture and Food Security in the 21st Century
• Geographical Information Systems
• Remote Sensing
• Soil Quality and Protection
• Conservation Management
• Restoration Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Palaeoecology
• Glaciers and Landscapes
  

Our teaching methods include lectures, field and laboratory practical exercises, seminars, and individual and group projects. A wide range of natural and human landscapes in the Stirling area are used for field teaching. Residential field classes are currently held in Year 2 in the Scottish Highlands and in Year 3 in southern Spain or Iceland. Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examinations.

Our integrated courses combine Environmental Science modules with Biology modules (Conservation Biology and Management) or Outdoor Education modules (Environmental Science and Outdoor Education). Combined Honours degrees allow Environmental Science to be studied alongside other related subjects.

(For a Combined Honours degree the higher entrance requirements of the subjects usually apply.)

Conservation Biology & Management; Ecology; Environmental Science and Outdoor Education; Geography; Education (Primary); Education (Secondary).

Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES) within the School of Natural Sciences is a multi-disciplinary department that participates in research and teaching in a broad range of subjects in the biological and environmental sciences. The principle focus of the research is at the interface between the environment and society. Within BES, staff conduct research in areas as diverse as the reconstruction of past landscapes; conservation, environmental impact assessment and environmental management; evolutionary ecology of plants and animals; and cellular biology and immunology. BES is a friendly, vibrant, and dynamic place in which to learn and research with a great sense of belonging engendered in our students from their very first days at the University.

Research-led teaching is the key to deep learning and understanding. The academic staff in Biological and Environmental Sciences at Stirling are typically world leaders in their respective fields, thus ensuring that research-led teaching is at the core of all of our courses.  Many students work closely with academics throughout their time and benefit from actively participating in research programmes.  We have strong contacts with external conservation and environmental organisations who also contribute to the undergraduate experience. This approach ensures that our students appreciate the transferable nature of a science degree and see how their learning can be applied to the real world.

As well as the exchange opportunities available to all Stirling students, Environmental Science has a well-established programme with the University of Guelph in Canada. Students may spend either one or two semesters during Year 3, studying courses equivalent to those taken at Stirling and have the opportunity to broaden your environmental and cultural experience.

Clare Wilson: BSc (Aberystwyth), MSc (Sheffield), PhD (Stirling) has been a lecturer at University of Stirling for the past four years. Clare is a SAGES (Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society) lecturer with research programmes in soil science and geoarchaeology. Recent and current research projects have included investigating the role of soil minerals in sequestering carbon, a study of the effect commercial forestry operations have on soil disturbance, and investigating the pollution legacy of historic whisky production sites in Scotland. She is an elected council member of the British Society of Soil Science, and has been involved in the development of national level soil quality indicators for cultural heritage development with UKSIC (UK Soil Indicators Consortium) on behalf of English Heritage and DEFRA.

Many graduates directly gain employment in research institutes, environmental consultancies, environmental protection agencies, water authorities and conservation bodies. Others take a route via postgraduate study, for example, in environmental management, education, information technology, remote sensing and waste management or research towards the award of a PhD. See the career profiles of some of our graduates.

We place great importance on teaching subject-specific and transferable skills that enhance your employability; a skills module is included in each semester's course and regular careers sessions are embedded into the core teaching. Our alumni contribute to this, as invited speakers and discussion partners. The school also offers a competitive summer bursary programme to provide students with valuable work and research experience.