Environmental Science

UCAS code: F900

Here's what University of Portsmouth says about its Environmental Science course.

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview Environmental scientists deal with the big questions facing humanity.

If you want to tackle climate change and preserve Earth's natural resources, this BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree, accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), will prepare you for the challenges ahead.

If you want to tackle climate change and preserve Earth's natural resources, this BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree, accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), will prepare you for the challenges ahead. You'll gain an understanding of the human threats to the natural world and develop the skills to reduce impacts and find solutions needed for a sustainable future.

• Work in our labs using the same technology as the world's leading environmental researchers – including plasma spectrometry and electron microscopy

• Boost your professional experience by doing a work placement

• Acquire key environmental monitoring and laboratory skills in our highly equipped analytical labs – including nutrient autoanalysers and heavy metal analysis via ICP-OES and ICP-MS

• Develop research skills – learning from world-leading environmental science experts

• Gain essential skills on field trips across various settings, including terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Somerset, rocky shore ecology at Lulworth Cove, island environments in Malta and tropical ecosystems in Malaysia

• Build experience on a one-year work placement in industry, or study abroad at one of our partner universities in Canada, Australia, Germany, Poland, Spain, Malta, Slovakia, Hungary or France

• Develop additional practical skills through RYA power boating and PADI-certified scientific and technical diving courses

Accredited by: This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).

Careers and opportunities As our understanding of environmental cause and effect continues to develop, environmental scientists are in high demand, including within the many sectors and industries tasked with reducing their environmental footprint.

You'll examine the physical and social aspects of environmental issues and develop practical skills to carry out your own environmental research, including analysing pollutants, soil structure and water quality.

Once you graduate, you'll be ready to go after jobs in academia, business or government in a wide range of environmental specialties.

You'll be able to apply for Associate Membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and with more experience, you could work to become a Chartered Scientist (CSci) or Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv). Chartered Membership of the IES is required in many environmental careers.

You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level, such as on our MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards or MSc Environmental Geology and Contamination.

What jobs can you do with an environmental science degree? Roles our graduates have taken on include:

• environmental chemist

• environmental technician

• environment and sustainability coordinator

• geographic information scientist

• hydrologist

• climate change modeller

• chemical risk advisor

• marine scientist

• ecologist

• conservation officer

• environmental policy officer

Graduate roles Organisations our graduates have gone on to work for include:

• Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)

• Alcatel Submarine Networks

• Rentokil Initial

• Eurofins

• Network Rail

• Portsmouth Water

Year 1

Core modules in this year include: 

• Analysis of the Earth and Environment (20 credits)
• Ecology, Plants and Human Impact (20 credits)
• Environmental Processes and Hazards (20 credits)
• Global Environmental Challenges (20 credits)
• How the Earth Works (20 credits)
• Introduction to Marine Ecology and Oceanography (20 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 2

Core modules in this year include:

• Environmental Chemistry and Monitoring (20 credits)
• Environmental Fieldwork and Professional Skills (20 credits)
• Research Skills (20 credits)

Optional modules in this year include:

• Developing Professional Skills (20 credits)
• Energy Resources and the Science of Zero Carbon (20 credits)
• Environmental Change (20 credits)
• Gis and Remote Sensing (20 credits)
• Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow (20 credits)
• Introduction to Teaching (20 credits)
• Overseas Study (Environment and Life Sciences) (60 credits)
• Practical Boating Skills (20 credits)
• River Processes (20 credits)
• Scientific Diving Techniques (20 credits)
• Sustainable Environmental Management (20 credits)
• Wildlife Crime: Threats and Response (20 credits)

Placement year

On this course, you can do an optional work placement year between your 2nd and 3rd years to get valuable experience working in industry.

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Year 3

Core modules in this year include: 

• Environmental Assessment and Management (20 credits)
• Environmental Pollution and Waste Management (20 credits)
• Research Project (40 credits)

Optional modules in this year include:

• Analytical Methods for Earth and Environmental Sciences (20 credits)
• Climate Change (20 credits)
• Conservation in a Changing World (20 credits)
• Surveying Terrestrial Habitats (20 credits)
• Transport and Sustainability (20 credits)

You’ll be assessed through:

• field work or lab notebook recordings
• reports
• site surveys
• computer-based exercises
• oral presentation and essays
• posters
• presentations

The way you're assessed will depend on the modules you select throughout your course. Here's an example from a previous academic year of how students on this course were typically assessed:

• Year 1 students: 52% by written exams, 8% by practical exams and 40% by coursework
• Year 2 students: 40% by written exams, 12% by practical exams and 48% by coursework
• Year 3 students: 33% by written exams, 4% by practical exams and 63% by coursework