Course summary

Bangor is an ideal place to study Environmental Science as our location provides easy access to a wide range of natural environments, from the North Wales coastline to the varied landscape of Eryri National Park with its long history of multiple land use, mining, and quarrying. Fieldwork is an integral part of this degree, with opportunities for residential trips further afield, as well as activity locally and across North Wales. This degree brings together different disciplines to consider environmental issues in a holistic way. It provides an in-depth understanding of the earth’s natural and global processes, together with detailed knowledge of the organisms that inhabit it, their environments, communities, as well as their impact by way of pollution, overproduction and overpopulation. You will explore how technology, research, behavioural change, regulations and a robust scientific approach can find solutions to problems, such as the damage caused by the chemicals used by industries or to find alternatives to plastics. We also discuss and debate moral dilemmas like economic development versus environmental protection. Highly practical in nature, you will conduct experiments in the field and in the lab. We run field courses in and around Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) and organise various lab practicals, such as learning how to apply a range of techniques to detect the source of pollutants in water and soils. Field trips are designed to enhance you subject-specific knowledge and understanding, while equipping you with valuable skills in data collection and analysis. You also get to use state-of-the art equipment, such as our mobile laboratories, which monitor greenhouse gas emissions in difficult to reach environments, such as hill farming systems. Our world-leading research in the environmental sciences means we often collaborate with local, national, and international organisations that employ environmental scientists. This helps to ensure that the content of our Environmental Science degrees remains relevant and up to date. Strong local links include Eryri National Park Authority, Natural Resources Wales, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water, the National Trust, Natural England, consultancies, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission. Some contribute to teaching and offer opportunities for work placements. A mark of our academic excellence, all our Environmental Science degrees are accredited by the Institution of Environmental Science (IES). This recognises the professional relevance and applicability of our curriculum to the workplace. By studying an accredited degree, you are also entitled to free student membership and access to exclusive online information, members-only reports and opportunities to network with professionals at free or reduced entry events. ‘Placement Year’ and 'International Experience Year’ options are available for this course. You will have the opportunity to fully consider these options when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto such a pathway at the appropriate time. You can find more information about these options on our website and if you have any questions, please get in touch. If you don’t have the required qualifications for this degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you. Please see Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) F90F.