Environmental Chemistry
University of Plymouth
UCAS Code: F141 | Bachelor of Science - BSc
Entry requirements
104 to 112 ucas points. A Typical offer will be 112 ucas points from 3 A Levels to include grades BC from A level Chemistry and one further science from: Maths, Physics, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Human Biology, Use of Maths, Applied Science, Science in the Environment, Engineering, Psychology, Design Technology, Economics
Points considered in combination
Access to HE Diploma
Pass a Science -based Access to include 33 credits at Merit or Distinction with 15 Credits in Chemistry with Merit.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
All applicants are required to have GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include Grade 5/4 at Higher Chemistry plus one further subject, including: Maths, Physics, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Human Biology, Use of Maths, Applied Science, Science in the Environment, Engineering, Psychology, Design Technology, Economics Maths and English accepted within
112 UCAS points to include Grade H3 in Chemistry
Points considered in combination
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
To include Chemistry Units. Applicants may be invited to attend an interview
104 to 112 ucas points. A Typical offer will be 112 ucas points to include 2 Advanced Highers to include grades BC from A level Chemistry and one further science from: Maths, Physics, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Human Biology, Use of Maths, Applied Science, Science in the Environment, Engineering, Psychology, Design Technology, Economics
Considered in combination with Advanced Highers
Please contact the institution on an individual basis
UCAS Tariff
A Typical offer will be 112 ucas points from 3 A Levels to include grades BC from A level Chemistry and one further science from: Maths, Physics, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Human Biology, Use of Maths, Applied Science, Science in the Environment, Engineering, Psychology, Design Technology, Economics
Accepted as a third A Level
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Environmental chemists will play a vital role in tackling global environmental challenges, including sustainability, human health, green energy and protecting the environment. A unique skillset will be developed throughout the programme, ensuring a strong knowledge base in chemistry, with specialism in the environmental science sector to meet society’s sustainability needs for the future.
Taught by world-class researchers, our students gain both the practical laboratory skills and academic knowledge needed to be a professional environmental chemist in a wide range of careers. Work and learn in our ISO 9001 certified laboratories, our unique offer to undergraduates to train in a regulated professional laboratory environment.
- Equip yourself for successful employment in a competitive job market – our focus on practical, professional skills means you graduate primed to enter the workplace.
- Benefit from award-winning teaching in small groups and be inspired by staff who are world-leading researchers.
- Hone your practical problem-solving skills in our newly-refurbished laboratories, kitted out with the latest analytical instrumentation.
- Take part in fieldwork in the UK and/or overseas in a variety of locations.
- 70% of assessment is based on coursework.
- Experience chemistry in the real world and boost your employability by taking a placement, work-based project in your final year, or working alongside PhD and post-doctoral researchers in our high specification laboratories.
Modules
In your first year, a foundation in core chemistry knowledge will be established, which will be achieved through a combination of workshops, lectures, tutorials and practical sessions, providing you with the essential skills and knowledge for your degree in environmental chemistry. You will also be introduced core aspects of environmental sustainability through critical evaluation of social, environmental and economic aspects of the environmental issues faced by our planet.
In your second year you will build on the theoretical and practical areas covered in your first year, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the key areas of chemistry required to become an environmental chemist. You’ll be trained in the use of advanced instrumentation and develop the skills and knowledge to tackle chemical problems in real-life contexts, laying the foundations for more extended projects. Increasing optionality will allow you to begin to forge your own environmental specialism and you will have the option to develop your research skills through a residential field course in the UK or overseas.
You can take an optional placement year before completing your degree, an invaluable opportunity to gain workplace experience from research institutes, companies and government organisations. Placements can include Fiberlean Technology, Imerys, the Marine Biological Association, the National Trust and the Eden Project.
In your final year, you will develop an understanding of contemporary environmental chemistry, with a focus on developing your skills to a professional standard. You’ll hone your practical skills and project management know-how by planning and undertaking a project with an internationally recognised research group, working with the latest instrumentation and paving your way for successful entry into your profession. You’ll learn how to debate and evaluate contemporary environmental issues, and a choice of modules allows you to pursue your interests, spanning the terrestrial and marine environments.
The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website.
Assessment methods
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.
The Uni
University of Plymouth
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Chemistry
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Chemistry
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Chemistry graduates are in demand from a wide range of industries, from the food, oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to consultancy, technical analysis and teaching. They're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills — anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. If you want a career in research, you need a doctorate, so start planning now if you fancy one of these exciting and challenging jobs - but good students can usually get grants to take a doctorate, so don't worry about the financing if you think you have what it takes. The recession wasn’t too kind to chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists), but things are getting back to normal for this flexible group and it's one of the few degrees that is bucking the current trend and increasing graduate numbers.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Chemistry
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£21k
£25k
£26k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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