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Ecology, climate science, and sustainability practice
Online or on campus
Environmental Science integrates ecology, chemistry, geology, and policy to address planetary challenges. Campus field trips explore Scottish ecosystems; GIS labs map land use and biodiversity. You will analyse climate data, evaluate sustainability reports, and propose evidence-based interventions. The programme prepares graduates for roles in environmental consultancy, conservation, and energy transition sectors. BSc (Hons) Environmental Science is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3 years full-time, and the credit total is 360. Students move from Introduction to Environmental Science through Introduction to Environmental Science; Principles of Ecology & Biodiversity; Chemistry & Geology for Environmental Scientists; Geographical Information Systems (GIS) & Mapping; Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis in Science; Global Environmental Challenges & Sustainability, and finish on Honours Environmental Research Project & Dissertation. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses. Reading is a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. The artefact a marker expects is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Analyse environmental data using GIS and statistical tools Evaluate ecosystem health and biodiversity indicators Interpret climate science for policy and business audiences Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Residential field course in the Scottish Highlands is included in Year 2 (subsidy available for eligible students).
Faculty spotlight
Professor Ian Campbell leads Climate Science; Dr. Sofia Petrov coordinates GIS and field methods.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study.
On-campus study
Prefer to learn at our Edinburgh campus? Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged. The published campus price is on each programme page.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENV101 | Introduction to Environmental Science Introduction to Environmental Science (ENV101) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Introduction to Environmental Science as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV102 | Principles of Ecology & Biodiversity Principles of Ecology & Biodiversity (ENV102) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Principles of Ecology & Biodiversity as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV103 | Chemistry & Geology for Environmental Scientists Chemistry & Geology for Environmental Scientists (ENV103) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Chemistry & Geology for Environmental Scientists as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV104 | Geographical Information Systems (GIS) & Mapping Geographical Information Systems (GIS) & Mapping (ENV104) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) & Mapping as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV105 | Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis in Science Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis in Science (ENV105) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can define a measurable question, fit a method that can be checked, and report where it fails, using Quantitative Methods & Data Analysis in Science as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a dataset description, a methods note, and one published evaluation. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a project note with the question, the method, the result, and the limitation. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV106 | Global Environmental Challenges & Sustainability Global Environmental Challenges & Sustainability (ENV106) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Global Environmental Challenges & Sustainability as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENV201 | Climate Change Science & Atmospheric Dynamics Climate Change Science & Atmospheric Dynamics (ENV201) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Climate Change Science & Atmospheric Dynamics as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV202 | Advanced GIS, Remote Sensing & Spatial Modelling Advanced GIS, Remote Sensing & Spatial Modelling (ENV202) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Advanced GIS, Remote Sensing & Spatial Modelling as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV203 | Environmental Field Methods & Water Quality Environmental Field Methods & Water Quality (ENV203) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Environmental Field Methods & Water Quality as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV204 | Environmental Policy, Law & Economics Environmental Policy, Law & Economics (ENV204) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Environmental Policy, Law & Economics as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV205 | Soil Science & Land Resource Management Soil Science & Land Resource Management (ENV205) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Soil Science & Land Resource Management as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV206 | Conservation Biology & Habitat Restoration Conservation Biology & Habitat Restoration (ENV206) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Conservation Biology & Habitat Restoration as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENV301 | Sustainability Assessment & Environmental Auditing Sustainability Assessment & Environmental Auditing (ENV301) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a set of figures, build a small case, and state which assumption moves the result, using Sustainability Assessment & Environmental Auditing as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses financial statements, a recognition note, and a risk report. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation that separates the decision, the numbers, and the risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer an accounting, audit, or financial-services licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV302 | Renewable Energy & Clean Technologies Renewable Energy & Clean Technologies (ENV302) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Renewable Energy & Clean Technologies as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV303 | Waste Management, Circular Economy & Pollution Control Waste Management, Circular Economy & Pollution Control (ENV303) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Waste Management, Circular Economy & Pollution Control as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV304 | Environmental Hazards & Disaster Risk Management Environmental Hazards & Disaster Risk Management (ENV304) is a 20-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 200 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Environmental Hazards & Disaster Risk Management as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 20 · 200 h |
| ENV305 | Honours Environmental Research Project & Dissertation Honours Environmental Research Project & Dissertation (ENV305) is a 40-credit course on BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with 400 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Honours Environmental Research Project & Dissertation as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 40 · 400 h |
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3 years full-time. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Brigant. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. University of Brigant publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@brigant.uk.
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