Undergraduate study

Overview

One of the top five UK courses nationally in "Geography & Environmental Studies"(Guardian League Tables, 2013), ranked joint 2nd nationally for 'overall student satisfaction' in the 2012 National Student Survey.

Applied Environmental Science at Keele combines the knowledge of specialists within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences to deliver an exciting, interdisciplinary course. Environmental issues such as climate change, water pollution, resource depletion and land contamination are increasingly gaining much media, government and industry attention. The Applied Environmental Science course at Keele emphasises the role of basic scientific understanding in tackling such environmental issues, 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.

What we offer

• An exciting interdisciplinary approach to the study of global environmental problems and environmental management strategies.

• Unique opportunities to work and engage with environmental professionals, including the option of undertaking a work placement module and/or a third year project working directly with local and regional environmental organisations.

• A strong fieldwork emphasis, with opportunities to visit a variety of UK and overseas locations, 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.

• Friendly and approachable staff, with leading reputations in their fields and a strong commitment to dynamic and supportive high-quality teaching as evidenced by a number of recent ‘teaching excellence’ awards.

Course Content

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.  The course is firmly anchored in the sciences, but also includes optional modules from the social sciences.

The Dual Honours system at Keele is particularly suited for this type of subject, demanding as it does an interdisciplinary approach.  For those considering careers 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.

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, 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. Students have the opportunity to put these skills into practice through a residential field course to North Wales, UK. 

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. Note this module is replaced by an optional module for students combining with Geology.

Introductory Environmental Chemistry provides a solid foundation in chemistry concepts, terminology, practical (laboratory) skills and calculations alongside a series of environmental case studies.

Second year

In the second year, students develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and of the analytical and investigative skills demanded of today’s environmental scientists. Residential field courses (currently to the European Alps and the English Lake District) provide students with ‘real world’ and ‘hands-on’ experience of a range of topical environmental problems. Alongside the core modules (Human Impacts on the Environment, Integrated Environmental Field Studies and Environmental Analytical Methods) students choose one option module from a broad range available within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences. 

Core modules

Human Impacts on the Environment: Scientific Perspectives

Integrated Environmental Field Studies (includes field course to European Alps or English Lake District)

Environmental Analytical Methods

Examples of option modules include:

Work Placement

Health and the Environment

Geoscience and Society

Environmental Politics and Policy

Symbiotic Interactions between Organisms

Hydrology, Geomorphology, Meteorology

Regional Landsystems

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:

Environmental (Clean) Technology

Applied and Environmental Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Natural Hazards

Global Environmental Change

Economic Development and Environmental Transformation

Coastal Environments

Water Resources

Trees in their Environment

Hydrological and Engineering Geology

Applied Fish Biology

Applied Insect Ecology

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 course has a strong field work emphasis with a range of day and longer residential excursions to both UK-based and overseas destinations. Current field work destinations include Anglesey, North Wales, The English Lake District and the European Alps. We also make extensive use of the local area, including Keele’s 250 hectare rural campus. For many students our field courses are a highlight of their time at Keele. These field courses 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 overseas residential field visit, currently to the european Alps. Alternatively, students have the opportunity to explore sustainable land management as part of a highly interdisciplinary residential field course in the English 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.

Codes and Combinations

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours course can be combined with:

Major and Foundation course available:

Teaching and Assessment

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, as evidenced by several recent ‘teaching excellent’ awards.

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 reflective portfolios and diaries, group projects and oral and poster presentations. Several of our modules draw heavily on employer engagement through, for example, invited talks and presentation to employers

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)

Skills and Careers

The Applied Environmental Science course provides students with unique opportunities to work and engage with environmental professionals, including the option of undertaking a work placement module and/or a third year project working directly with local and regional environmental organisations. Several of our modules draw heavily on employer engagement through, for example, invited talks and presentation to employers

There is a strong emphasis throughout the course in equipping students with both the subject-specific and transferable skills and knowledge 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.

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

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.

"This course has been invaluable on so many levels yet never failed to fascinate me. The range of subjects taught by dedicated staff provides you with an enthusiasm for matters that you might not have realised you were even interested in. The field course to the Alps, apart from being incredible, gives you the confidence to go out and undertake your own studies in any environment. Anyone with an interest in the topical state of the environment will find that studying AES is unbelievably worthwhile”. 

"The AES course at Keele is everything which I wanted. The course itself is very interesting and the staff that teach it are always approachable, friendly and very helpful".

"The AES course combines a variety of subjects such as geology, chemistry and geography to create a very interesting course. This has provided me with a number of employability skills which will help me in the future. All in all a very interesting and useful course, two thumbs up!"

 "The AES course provides you with an opportunity to work with teams of like-minded, passionate students and with supportive lecturers who encourage you to develop your skills and ambitions. AES is a thoroughly stimulating course that challenges and applies perspective to your surroundings. 

Amy Collier - Year-2 AES and Physical Geography (2012/13)