BSc (Honours) in Geography and Environmental Science

Knowledge and understanding

Upon completion of this degree you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• Contribution of geographical and environmental sciences concepts and theories to an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues and concerns
• Spatial and temporal dimensions of environmental issues including the distributed causes and uneven consequences of environmental change
• Societal challenges of responding to the uncertainties of and different perspectives on environmental change
• Terms, classification systems, concepts and principles that inform the study of geography and environmental science.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree you will be able to:

• Interpret analyse, and critically evaluate evidence of and arguments about environmental issues from a range of relevant sources, and appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of those sources
• Select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to review, consolidate, and extend knowledge and understanding of geographical and environmental issues
• Use and apply knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to geography and environmental sciences to address familiar and unfamiliar situations
• Use conceptual models to understand, develop and apply scientific principles.

Practical and professional skills

On completion of this degree you will be able to:

• Recognise and critically evaluate personal views and engage the views of others with respect
• Initiate, design, conduct and report on practical or other investigations in a responsible, safe and ethical manner taking proper account of risk assessment and health and safety regulations
• Demonstrate the skills of autonomous learning and reflect on the process of learning to evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses.

Key skills

On completion of this degree you will be able to:

• Accurately and effectively communicate information about environmental issues to a variety of audiences using written, visual and numerical forms as appropriate
• Select, access, and exploit a wide range of digital practices (including tools and resources) to find, use, create and communicate data relevant to environmental issues
• Locate and respond to a variety of data and information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, graphical and computer-based), including reviews and primary sources
• Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques
• Use appropriate methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing scientific data and information.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• You’ll start Stage 1 with two 60-credit introductory modules, one with a focus on wide issues relating to the environment and one with a focus on science.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll study two 60-credit modules: an environmental science module and a geography-led module.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study two 60-credit modules, one with a focus on environmental policy from a social science perspective and one with a focus on environmental change from an environmental science perspective.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)
• Science: concepts and practice (S112)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Environmental science (S206)
• Environment and Society (DD213)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)
• Environment: responding to change (SDT306)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

This degree will help you develop a broad set of skills that are of high value to employers, including the ability to:

• Put together reasoned arguments and question assumptions
• Draw together, analyse and critically evaluate information
• Communicate effectively, clearly and accurately with others
• Use ICT to research, identify and present information
• Apply scientific knowledge and understanding to problem-solving
• Manage time and take responsibility for your personal development.

Career relevance

The skills and knowledge you’ll develop by studying this degree will equip you to follow several career paths, and are recognised by employers as having great value for work in:

• Environmental consultancy
• Energy efficiency industries
• Transport and logistics
• Teaching
• Local and central government.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.