Environmental Geography BSc (Hons)

Discover the breadth of human geography at university level, as you are introduced to contemporary issues and debates. Using examples and case studies from local, regional, national and global scales. These themes are likely to include:

• Globalisation
• Social justice and inequalities
• Sustainability
• Mobility
• Landscape spaces

You will also develop your skills in academic writing, referencing and critical thinking.

On this module you will focus on the essential concepts for understanding physical geography and geoscience. You will explore the Earth systems ranging from global atmospheric circulation and ocean systems to Earth surface processes and ecosystems, looking at how we understand patterns in the natural environment. Practical work will include field and/or laboratory work.

On this module you will focus on the essential concepts for understanding physical geography and geoscience. You will explore the Earth systems ranging from global atmospheric circulation and ocean systems to Earth surface processes and ecosystems, looking at how we understand patterns in the natural environment. Practical work will include field and/or laboratory work.

Investigate aspects of environmental changing as you develop your understanding of how to handle, process and analyse numerical data. Through a series of workshops we will introduce you to the theory behind data handling and statistical analysis, before developing your skills using software such as Microsoft Excel and IBM’s SPSS Statistics which are both widely used in industry. These skills prepare you for your own investigations later in your degree.

Engage with a range of qualitative methods commonly used in geographical research. Through a series of workshops we will introduce you to the theory behind data handling and statistical analysis, before developing your skills using software such as Microsoft Excel and IBM’s SPSS Statistics which are both widely used in industry. These skills prepare you for your own investigations later in your degree. You will also assess the ethical and health and safety considerations at a basic level involved in your study.

Environmental geography investigates human/nature relations. Through this module you will explore environmental concerns from a variety of perspectives, from society’s impact on biological and physical systems such as soil or water, through environmental policies and politics, to environmental values and identities.

The development of sophisticated Geographical Information System (GIS) and online mapping tools in recent years has revolutionised the use of geospatial data. This module will develop your theoretical and practical understanding of these technologies and their applications. A central theme is the use of geospatial technologies to address problems and concerns associated with environmental geography. You will gain first hand experience in using the GIS flow line, collecting data, manipulating and analysing it, and then presenting it.

Geography is an extraordinarily diverse discipline. In this module you will learn about the variety of methodological approaches that geographers use in their research, across human, physical and environmental geography. This includes paying attention to the very latest developments, as well as the ethical and political dimensions of producing geographical knowledge. The module prepares you for undertaking your own research later in your degree.

This module focuses on identifying and understanding environmental change, its causes and consequences. There is an emphasis on understanding the timescales of environmental change, the relation of available data to these timescales, and the uncertainties involved in identifying environmental change. You will develop skills in quantitative data analysis, particularly in identifying relationships and trends. We will consider a range of contexts, such as:

• Global climate change
• Hydrological change
• Biodiversity change
• Palaeoenvironmental change

On this module we will examine some of the key environmental challenges of the 21st century, from local to global scales. Develop your understanding of environmental sustainability and its relation to social and economic sustainability. We will pay particular attention to the barriers to addressing global environmental challenges such as climate change, food, water, waste and pollution. Key themes are action and agency, from global governance through to individual decision making.

This module will involve working in small groups to develop research plans and then undertaking the research on a residential field trip. The module provides practical experience in conducting your own research, helping prepare you for your independent dissertation next year. During the module you will also produce a research proposal for your dissertation.

This is an opportunity to experience professional practice related to your degree. This might be a short internship, a period of shadowing a relevant professional, voluntary work in an appropriate setting or a study of a profession, workplace or employer relevant to geography. This will develop new skills and experience that will help you become more employable after you graduate. It will also help you identify areas of personal and professional development you would like to build on to prepare for your career.

Why do species live where they do, and how and why is biodiversity changing? What role does conservation have to play? What are the most effective conservation approaches in different places? These are the types of questions this module’s lectures, seminars, and workshops focuses on. You will explore the theory of ecosystems and practice of conserving the habitats and species within them.

Building on your understanding of physical systems developed in your first year, you will focus on the key concepts of geomorphology. Examine the processing driving change in a variety of physical environments such as river, desert, coastal and hillslope systems and learning about the landforms they produce. You will have opportunity to take part in practical laboratory classes to learn about scientific methodology and observe physical processes in controlled environments.

This year long module will involve working independently to research a topic of your choice. It is the culmination of your degree studies, and your chance to explore a topic you are passionate about. You will build on the research skills you developed earlier in the course, demonstrating your capacity for independent working, autonomy, self reliance and project management. Once your dissertation proposal has been approved and has passed ethical scrutiny you will work under the guidance of a tutor. A dissertation conference gives you the opportunity to present your ongoing research and allows for supportive peer discussion.

This module builds on earlier modules to develop your understanding of ecosystems and biodiversity through a consultancy style project. We will consider approaches to habitat management in protected areas and in the wider countryside. You will examine different techniques for maintaining, enhancing, restoring and recreating a range of habitats. You will undertake your own assessment of a selected locality and develop a habitat management plan.

On this module you will examine and expand the idea of nature and its relationship with humans. You will also look at this in relation to a variety of themes, such as:

• Medicine and health
• Food production and consumption
• Animals
• Wilderness and conservation
• Climate and the Anthropocene

You will gain a better understanding of the contemporary environmental issues that are arising and the responses to these. Overall, you will gain an understanding of various sustainability issues and the importance of the protection of the environment.

Scientists use an array of different tools to measure and monitor the environment, from detecting land cover change from satellite images, through using lasers on aircraft to map landforms, to monitoring volcanic activity using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones). This module explores how these ‘remotely sensed’ technologies have transformed the ways we understand, measure and model the Earth’s environment. You will further develop your own data analysis and spatial problem-solving skills through a variety of practical exercises, using leading commercial and/or open-source software.

The focus of the module is a period of residential fieldwork. Through this module, you will be required to develop your understanding of an environment that is remote from the centre of population and is in some respect different from other environments you have previously studied. This will usually be in an overseas country, but may also take place closer to home. You will consider the following:

• The natural environment around
• Human relations with the non-human world
• Communicating your understanding of the environment to a diverse audience

Organisation, responsibility and self reliance are all key elements and skills you will demonstrate on this module.

Rivers are a vital resource for life on Earth, providing important services and habitats, and yet also hazards. On this module you will develop your understanding of water quantity, water quality and sediment transport processes throughout the river system, upland to lowland. You will use this understanding to explore the consequences of human-induced environmental change for rivers, and to investigate river management strategies.

The focus of the module is a period of residential fieldwork. Through this module, you will be required to develop your understanding of an environment that is remote from the centre of population and is in some respect different from other environments you have previously studied. This will usually be in an overseas country, but may also take place closer to home. You will consider the following:

• The natural environment around
• Human relations with the non-human world
• Communicating your understanding of the environment to a diverse audience

Organisation, responsibility and self reliance are all key elements and skills you will demonstrate on this module.