Geography, Geology and the Environment

In the National Student Survey 2011 Physical Geography and Environmental Science was ranked joint 6th for Student Satisfaction

The world's environment is currently at the forefront of public interest and concern with an associated large and ever-growing number of jobs in the environmental sector. To appreciate the issues involved and how the environment functions requires a multidisiplinary scientific understanding balanced with knowledge of the social factors underpinning our relationship with the environment.

The Applied Environmental Science degree programme is an interdisciplinary course that emphasises the role of basic scientific understanding and practical skills in the laboratory and field for the analysis and management of environmental problems. 

This course is therefore firmly anchored in the sciences and  includes options from the social sciences.

Keele has an enviable reputation for the breadth and depth of its environmental research.  This background is drawn upon to provide modules in the underpinning areas of life sciences, geosciences and environmental chemistry.

The Dual Honours system at Keele is particularly suited for this type of subject, demanding as it does an interdisciplinary approach.  For those enroling in the environmental sector, Applied Environmental Science combines especially well with, for example, geology, physical geography or biology where the breadth of options offered is ideal for those wanting a broad environmental education.

Students wanting to specialise in Applied Environmental Science in their third year are able to do so, selecting only modules from the Applied Environmental Science programme rather than from their other subject.

What we offer

• An exciting interdisciplinary approach to the study of global environmental problems and environmental management strategies
• A strong fieldwork emphasis, with opportunities to visit a variety of locations in the UK and overseas, allowing students to experience and understand environmental problems through first-hand, real-world experience
• Training and experience in a variety of field, laboratory, analytical, presentational, writing and research skills providing an excellent platform for a broad range of environment and non-environment-related careers
• Unique opportunities to work and engage with environmental professionals, including the option of undertaking a third year project working directly with local and regional environmental organisations
• Excellent, modern and well-equipped analytical laboratories, friendly and approachable staff, with leading reputations in their fields and a strong commitment to dynamic and supportive high-quality teaching

Environmental issues are increasingly gaining much media, government and industry attention. Issues ranging from water resource depletion and land contamination to atmospheric pollution and global warming are now at the forefront of public and governmental concern. In order to tackle these problems effectively, a sound interdisciplinary scientific understanding of different environmental systems is needed. The Applied Environmental Science course at Keele combines the knowledge of specialists within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences to deliver an interdisciplinary course which emphasises the role of basic scientific understanding and provides first-hand experience in a variety of practical, laboratory and field work skills for the analysis and management of environmental problems. The degree is designed to cater both for those with general interests in the environment and environmental issues, and for those with clear environmental science career aspirations.

First year

The first year will give students a sound basis and understanding of the core sciences underpinning the field of environmental science and of the environmental issues faced by the world today. First year modules include:

Environmental Science Skills introduces the subject of environmental science and illustrates the applications of the ‘core’ sciences in the study and management of environmental issues, and introduces the field and laboratory skills of environmental science research.

Ecology and Environment provides students with an introduction to the function and interaction of plants and animals in populations and communities, and threats to biodiversity and the role of conservation. Key ecological skills are introduced through field and laboratory-based studies.

Introductory Geology for the Environmental Sciences provides coverage of key geological understanding and skills relevant to environmental science, and highlights the role of geology to a range of environmental issues such as carbon sequestration, the sustainability of water resources and contaminant transport.

Introductory Environmental Chemistry provides students with an understanding of environmental chemistry using a range of topical environmental case studies.

Second year

In the second year students will develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and will further develop the analytical and investigative skills demanded of today’s environmental scientists. There are three compulsory core modules aimed at developing key practical skills and knowledge, one of which includes a residential field trip. In addition, students choose one option module from a broad range of choices to suit their particular areas of environmental interests. As one of these option modules, students have the opportunity to apply their learning to the professional environment and find out first-hand about the type of work they might do after graduation through carrying out an environmentally-focussed work placement as part of a work-based learning module.

Core modules

Human Impacts on the Environment: Scientific Perspectives
Integrated Environmental Field Studies
Environmental Analytical Methods

Examples of option modules include:

Symbiotic Interactions between Organisms
Hydrology, Geomorphology, Meteorology
Environmental Politics and Policy
Work-based learning module
Regional Landsystems
Geoscience and Society

Third year

The third year provides students with the opportunity of either increased specialism in their particular areas of environmental interest, or the flexibility to retain a broad coverage of environmental skills and issues. In addition, students carry out an independent research project, tailored to their individual research interests. The third year also provides unique opportunities to work and engage with environmental professionals and students have the option of undertaking a third year project working directly with local and regional environmental organisations

Core module

Independent Research Project

Examples of option modules include:

Applied Methods for the Environmental Sciences
Applied Insect Ecology
Trees in their Environment
Hydrological and Engineering Geology
Applied Fish Biology
Natural Hazards
Water Resources
Coastal Environments
Applied and Environmental Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Environmental (Clean) Technology
Global Environmental Change
Economic Development and Environmental Transformation

Fieldwork and opportunities to study abroad

Field courses provide students with ‘real world’ and ‘hands-on’ experience of a range of topical environmental problems and issues. The Applied Environmental Science degree at Keele has a strong field work emphasis with a range of day and longer residential excursions, to UK-based and overseas destinations, which enable students to develop and practise the core practical and investigative skills necessary for a broad range of environment-related careers. In the first year, students gain experience of a range of ecological techniques, and an opportunity to assess the impacts of the industrial and mining heritage of Anglesey on the local environment, during a residential field course to North Wales. In the second year, a wider range of environmental science issues and their management is studied during an exciting oerseas residential field visit. Alternatively, students have the opportunity to explore sustainable land management as a highly inerdisciplinary residential field course in the Lake District. There are opportunities for studying abroad, both through exchange programmes with universities in different parts of the world including South Africa and Australia, and through carrying out research abroad as part of the third year independent research project.

Dual Honours course can be combined with:

Major and Foundation course available:

The Applied Environmental Science degree programme is delivered by a team of dedicated environmental specialists with leading reputations in their fields and a strong commitment to dynamic and supportive high-quality teaching.

Teaching throughout the course combines a wide range of approaches including traditional lecture-based teaching, seminars, fieldwork and laboratory classes, small group workshops and problem-solving classes. Assessments are varied and include traditional examinations, essays and technical reports, alongside more innovative types of assessment such as, group projects and oral and poster presentations.

The course is designed to ensure that students experience a wide range of teaching and assessment styles and are able to develop and demonstrate a wide portfolio of transferable skills applicable to a range of possible future careers.

Programme specifications (new window)

The emphasis throughout the course is in equipping students with the transferable knowledge and skills relevant to many career-paths. 

Depending on the other subject studied, there are many possible career paths that involve working directly with the environment.

In addition, an increasing number of employers not directly involved in the environment are looking for employees who have environmental experience because environmental concerns and legislation are playing an increasing part in the running of organisations.

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The breadth of Applied Environmental Science means that it combines naturally with any of the science subjects available and a wide range of social sciences and humanities subjects. Popular subject combinations include:

Applied Environmental Science and Physical Geography

The combination of Applied Environmental Science with Physical Geography provides a deep insight into the formation and nature of the landscape, and its relationship with the living world. Graduates are well placed for a variety of careers in resource management, environmental protection and environmental consultancy as well as in more general environmental careers.

Applied Environmental Science and Geology

Many career paths in the environmental field require knowledge of how the Earth works and the nature of the materials and resources derived from the Earth’s crust. Graduates will find many opportunities in the fields of mining and quarrying, contaminated land remediation and the effective control of environmental impacts from human exploitation.

Applied Environmental Science and Biology

The blend of Applied Environmental Science and Biology gives graduates a balanced view of how the physical environment interacts with the living environment and thus provides insights into conservation, resource use and the potential threats of human activities. Graduates will be ideally suited to careers in ecological consultancy, environmental–biological research, environmental education and more general careers.

Applied Environmental Science students have lots of opportunity to develop professional experience throughout their degree programme whether undertaking a placement on a work-based learning module, carrying out their independent research project with an environmental professional, or meeting professionals working in their environmental sector as part of their field courses.