Environmental Science and the Climate Emergency, BSc (Hons)

Open Day

Keep In Touch

BSc Environmental Science and the Climate Emergency

Key Course Details

3 Year Full Time

UCAS Code: F770
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): AAB-BBB
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021	£ 9,000

3 Year Full Time

UCAS Code: F770
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): AAB-BBB
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021	£ 18,550

3 Year Full Time

UCAS Code: F770
Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer: AAB-BBB - More Information
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2021	£ 18,550

Course Overview

We live in Climate Emergency. Our climate and our environments are changing at the alarming rates, with devastating consequences for the natural environments, threatening the life of present and future generations.

This unique interdisciplinary degree builds on the excellence and expertise of two departments Biosciences and Geography to equip the next generation of graduates who will have a profound understanding of environmental and social science to act boldly, and deliver the next generation of adaptations, mitigations, and solutions.

The students will be trained to use your wealth of academic, laboratory, and fieldwork with a strong emphasis on active and practical learning, problem-solving and authentic assessment.

Why Environmental Science and the Climate Emergency at Swansea?

This is an exciting degree programme designed to equip students from across the world with the interdisciplinary expertise gained from the range of climate change, geography, ecology, conservation and social justice modules.

Your learning will be shaped by inspirational and internationally-renowned academics from Geography and Biosciences department including Professor Tavi Murray, Professor Stefan Doerr, Professor Mary Gagen or Professor Rory Wilson.

Our department is based on our stunning Singleton Park campus overlooking Swansea Bay located at the gate of the stunning Gower Peninsula

Swansea University holds a TEF Gold award, UK Government recognition for teaching excellence.

Your Environmental Science and the Climate Emergency Experience

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and discussion groups, supported by practical classes and field courses.

Field courses might take you from areas of outstanding natural beauty on our doorstep in the Gower Peninsula, to locations across the world such as Borneo, Mallorca and the Indian Himalayas.

Environmental Science and the Climate Emergency Employment Opportunities

Our Geography degrees at Swansea University are designed so that you have the skills that today's employers are looking for. Geography graduates have a broad range of career options within sectors which include environmental management, aid and development agencies, conservation and regional and resource planning.

Find out about our Swansea Employability Academy

Related Courses
BSc Geography BSc Environmental Geoscience
BA Geography BSc Geography and Geographical Information
BSc Biology BSc Biological Science with deferred choice of specialism

Climate Change: Reading The Past In Tree Ring Data

Professor Mary Gagen, of Swansea University’s Geography Department, measures tree ring data – ‘weather stations across the world’ - to find out what has happened to our climate across the planet over the last few thousand years.

Our students talk about field trips, friendships and more

Our students talk about their experiences and career prospects

Modules

Following early compulsory modules including the earth’s changing face, global environmental change and global shifts, you will be able to craft your own personalised path throughout the degree.

You will select from a wide range of optional modules, with the chance to mix human and physical geography modules, leading to a dissertation in your final year.

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
BIO109	Period September-January	20	Core Skills for Biological Sciences
BIO112	Period January-June	20	Life in the Oceans

Optional Modules

Compulsory GEC133/GEG133

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC133 is the welsh equivalent of GEG133

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
GEC133	Period January-June	20	Peryglon Naturiol a Chymdeithas
GEG133	Period January-June	20	Natural Hazards and Society

AND

Compulsory GEC135/GEG135

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC135 is the welsh equivalent of GEG135

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
GEC135	Period September-January	20	Cynaliadwyedd a'r Argyfwng Hinsawdd
GEG135	Period September-January	20	Sustainability and the Climate Emergency

AND

Compulsory GEC140/GEG140

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC140 is the welsh equivalent of GEG140

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
GEC140	Period January-June	20	Prosiect a Dulliau Ymchwil
GEG140	Period January-June	20	Project and Methods

AND

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
BIO111	Period September-January	20	Botany and Ecology
GEG132	Period September-January	20	Dynamic Earth Systems

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
BIO232	Period September-January	15	Plant Ecology
BIO249	Period January-June	15	Introduction to field ecology

Optional Modules

Compulsory GEC277/GEG277

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC277 is the welsh equivalent of GEG277

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
GEC277	Period September-January	20	Dulliau ac Ymagweddau Daearyddol
GEG277	Period September-January	20	Geographical Methods and Approaches

AND

Compulsory GEC278/GEG278

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC278 is the welsh equivalent of GEG278

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
GEC278	Period January-June	20	Sgiliau Dadansoddi Data a Pharatoi Traethawd Hir
GEG278	Period January-June	20	Data Analysis and Dissertation Preparation Skills

AND

Compulsory Fieldtrip

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Choose one from Berlin, Mallorca, Malaysia Borneo and Vancouver

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
GEG252M	Period January-June	20	Geographical Fieldwork skills: Mallorca
GEG252MB	Period January-June	20	Geographical Field Work Skills: Malaysian, Borneo
GEG252V	Period January-June	20	Geographical Fieldwork skills: Vancouver

AND

Optional Modules Semester 1

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC276 is the welsh equivalent of GEG276

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
GEC276	Period September-January	20	Systemau Gwybodaeth Ddaearyddol
GEG236	Period September-January	10	Earth from Space: Monitoring Global Environmental Change
GEG274	Period September-January	10	Sustainable Cities
GEG276	Period September-January	20	Geographic Information Systems

AND

Optional Semester 2

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
GEG221	Period January-June	10	Regional Economic Development
GEG230	Period January-June	10	Social Geographies
GEG269	Period January-June	10	Sustainable Land Management

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
BIO331	Period January-June	20	Professional skills in conservation

Optional Modules

Compulsory Dissertation

Choose Exactly 30 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC331 is the welsh equivalent of GEG331

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
GEC331	Period September-June	30	Traethawd Estynedig Daearyddiaeth
GEG331	Period September-June	30	Dissertation Report: Geography

AND

Compulsory Dissertation Support

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : GEC332 is the welsh equivalent of GEG332

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name	Guidance
GEC332	Period September-June	10	Cefnogaeth Traethawd Hir
GEG332	Period September-June	10	Dissertation Support: Geography

AND

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

Module Code	Semester	Credits	Module Name
BIO329	Period September-January	10	Climate Change Biology
BIO330	Period September-January	10	Tropical marine ecology and conservation
BIO337	Period September-January	10	Biodiversity
BIO341	Period September-January	10	Plant Conservation and Ecology
BIO343	Period September-January	10	Natural Products that Shape Our World
GEG329	Period September-January	20	Animating Migration Theory
GEG336	Period September-January	20	Vegetation Patterns and Dynamics
GEG344	Period September-June	20	The Cryosphere in a Changing Climate
GEG345	Period September-January	20	Humid Tropical Environments and Landscapes
GEG347	Period September-January	20	Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
BIO338	Period January-June	10	Polar Biology
GEG338	Period January-June	20	Plant Biogeography
GEG341	Period January-June	20	Contemporary Rural Britain
GEG358	Period January-June	20	Measuring Climate Change

Entry Requirements

A levels: ABB-BBB including Geography or related subject.

BTEC: DDM any subject plus Grade B in A Level Geography.

Scottish Highers: ABBBC to include Grade B in Geography (or a related subject)

Access - Science or Humanities Accepted: 24 Distinctions and 15 Merits. Minimum of 3 Distinctions in Geography.

Welsh Baccalaureate: Requirements are as for A levels where you can substitute the same non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Core Grade

IB: 32 overall with 5 in Higher Level Geography

IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English test

All applications will be considered on an individual basis, and we will look at the whole application when deciding whether to make an offer of a place, including: the balance, nature and quality of A-level, AS and GCSE subjects (or equivalent); personal statement and referee’s comments.

General Studies and Key Skills qualifications are normally excluded from our offers.

How You're Taught

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and coursework throughout the year.
You will be assessed through a combination of unseen written examinations, set assignments, presentations and a dissertation.

This course offers some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

Welsh Provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study this subject through the medium of Welsh and our dedicated academy, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking academic tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.

To see further details about the level of provision delivered in Welsh on this particular degree scheme, please see the Welsh-language course page for further information.

Since 2011, there has been a 40% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our TEF* data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers in regards to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

Meet Your Lecturers

You will be taught by who are all active researchers. Their research activities in areas such as climate change, glaciology, poverty alleviation through control of disease and pollution risks from wildfire ash, help to change the world for the better.

Dr Joanne Maddern, Programme Director
Dr Rhian Meara, Admissions Tutor

See all of the Geography staff

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	EU	International
September 2020	£ 9,000	£ 9,000	£ 18,000
September 2021	£ 9,000	£ 18,550	£ 18,550

Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government.

Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

EU Transitional Bursary available for September 2021.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad. To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages.

International summer programmes are open to students from all colleges. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Environmental Science and the Climate Emergency, BSc (Hons)

Apply Open Day Ask us a Question