Environmental Science

Environmental Science at Aberdeen benefits from interdisciplinary courses including environmental biology, chemistry and soils, representing the wide range of staff expertise.

Why Aberdeen?

• A recent internal teaching review panel commended the School of Biological Sciences for its committed, professional and enthusiastic teaching across a wide range of degree programmes. The panel was also impressed with the course choice within degrees and by the emphasis on field courses and field-based teaching, including opportunities and support for expeditions, which were clearly valued by students
• Active local research environment includes the Macaulay Institute (one of the UK's top environmental research institutes) and the new NERC Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability
• Taught in top rated (5) research department
• Interdisciplinary courses including environmental biology, chemistry and soils representing the wide range of staff expertise
• Field courses

Programmes

Study Abroad

There will be opportunities for expeditions, voluntary work overseas and ‘year-out’ placements. International exchanges are also possible, normally in the second year of a four year programme. Similarly, it is possible to study for part of the degree in another European university under the ERASMUS programme.
Further Study Abroad Information. 

The opportunity to take Enhanced Study options as part of your degree and participate in co-curricular activities. See www.abdn.ac.uk/thedifference for more information.

First Year

First year students take core courses in Organismal Biology, Ecology and Environmental Science and Fundamentals and Applications of Chemistry.

Second Year

There are core courses in Community Ecology and Chemistry. Further courses can be chosen from a wide range of subjects including Chemistry, Geology, Biology and Geography.

Third Year (Junior Honours)

Courses are allocated to subject groups representing Physiochemical, Biological/Ecological, and Land-use and Related Subjects. Depending on which degree option students take, courses are selected from these subject groups to reflect the emphasis of the degree.

Fourth Year (Senior Honours)

Honours students undertake a supervised research project and a range of intensive courses relevant to their specialisation. Thus, students doing the Physical Sciences option will have a stronger emphasis on Chemistry than those studying the main Environmental Science programme.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory practicals, fieldwork, seminars and tutorials. Most courses are assessed by both continuous assessment and a written examination.

Careers

Both of the Environmental Science options are well-suited to employment in nature conservation, in government or non-government conservation organisations, and also in countryside departments of local government. Those who have taken the Physical Sciences option will have the training required to carry out analysis for certain types of pollutant monitoring and control. Generally, opportunities are available within environmental organisations such as the environmental protection agencies or within industries such as water companies or waste management.

Environmental legislation and regulations increasingly require more rigorous environmental audit and monitoring. Such changes continue to provide further opportunities for environmental scientists in environmental consultancies, local authorities and environmental protection agencies. There are also many opportunities in environmental education and in the communications sector.

Finding your direction

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success.  The Careers Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us – from first to final year – and beyond.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen.
• More information on the Careers Service.
• More information on careers prospects and employability with a degree in Environmental Science.

Entrance Requirements

SQA Highers - BBBB*
A Levels - BBB*
IB - 30 points, 5 at HL
ILC - BBBB 
*including good performance in at least two Mathematics/Science subjects.

Advanced Entry - Advanced Highers ABB or A Levels ABB or IB 34 points (6 at HL), including Biology and Chemistry, one of which must be at A-grade.

For further details of entrance requirements click here

Please click on the links below to find out more information on funding in your area.

• Scotland and EU (Excluding England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Rest of UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• International
• Scholarships

Related Links

• Scholarships
• Entrance Scholarships
• Funding Database
• England Wales and Northern Ireland Finance Guide