Environmental Biology - BSc (Hons) - Part time

This course provides you with a broad understanding of biological science but also provides you with specialist skills in environmental management. You’ll study organisms in their natural environment, how they have adapted to live in their ecosystems, how external pressures impact upon them, and how these can be managed. You’ll also learn about the social and economic forces affecting the environment today, making this course up to date and relevant to your future career.

Conservation, renewable energies, global warming and climate change are all urgent issues, with a growing market for environmental professionals trained to tackle them. One of the main strengths of this course is its interdisciplinary nature. In this course you will study animals and plants in their environment but you will also study the non-living environment including climate, weather, soil and the cycling of key elements. You will learn about the different types of contaminants, how they affect the environment and how pollution can be managed. You will acquire first-hand knowledge of environmental assessment and conservation and will study specific techniques which can be used to improve the management of human activities and the conservation of species and habitats. We've designed this course in to meet the needs of employers so a strong emphasis is put on the practical experience. You'll work on residential field trips including one to the island of Cumbrae to study coastal ecosystems and the option of a field course in the Mediterranean Algarve. You'll develop the skills to analyse environmental data from various sources. Through trips, laboratory and field work, you will acquire experience of how to make an environmental assessment and apply conservation techniques. The applied nature of this course encourages the development of skills that will also make you more employable including communication, IT, problem solving, research and team working. The skills you gain in this course will you prepare you for work in a number of areas. The emphasis on research in this course equips you with the knowledge and skills required to continue on to postgraduate study, including possible PhD study within the school and a further academic career. You will also have valuable experience of practical field work. Pollution control and management Environmental science Environmental agencies Government organisations Education Research View Full Screen

What's involved The course is studied part-time, generally lasting six years. With the support and guidance of our tutors you will develop an individualised programme of study that best suits you, working through the modules listed below. To find out more about part-time possibilities please contact us using the enquiries button. You will learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, field trips and independent study. There may also be some opportunities to study abroad. Level 1 modules Life on Earth, Introductory Physiology, Molecules and Cells, two practical modules plus one optional module from: Plant Science Concepts in Forensic Biology Co-curricular modules in a variety of subjects Level 2 modules Microbiology, Biochemistry, Physiology and the Environment, Animal Behaviour, and a practical module. Plus one optional module from: Biology of Disease Valuing the Earth Microbes and Man Co-curricular modules in a variety of subjects Level 3 modules Scientific Communication - Dissertation and Statistics, Freshwater Biology, Population and Community Ecology, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Microbiology and either Marine Biology or Applied Terrestrial Ecology Level 4 modules Human and Ecosystem Health, Environmental Management, Honours Project, choice of Advances in Aquatic Sciences or Advances in Ecology

Requirements at a glance Entry to the course Typical year 1 SQA HigherBBBB A LevelBCC Irish Leaving CertificateB1,B2,B2,B2 at Higher Level must include Biology OR Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Maths, English, Biology & Chemistry at Ordinary Level B2. Subjects requiredHigher / A Level Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Standard Grade / GCSE English, Maths, Biology & Chemistry (or Double Award Science) (3/C). Typical year 2 HNCIn a related subject with A in graded unit. Typical year 3 HNDIn related subject area with Grade BB at SCQF Level 8 in the graded unit. Typical Entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which students are normally accepted. Competition for places varies from year-to-year and achievement of the typical entry requirements does not always guarantee a place.Fees Table Fees 2012/132013/14 Scottish/EU £305£305per 20 creditsRest of UK £1,085£1,105per 20 creditsOverseas£1,875£1,950per 20 credits Fees displayed are correct at the time of publication but the University Court reserves the right to make changes in fees at any time, and without notice, before or after the student's admission to the University. Tuition fees are reviewed annually and will rise each year during your programme of study, at least in line with inflation.