Environmental Science with Psychology and optional placement year

About this course

About

Each semester, students will take 2 modules in Environmental Science and 1 module in Psychology.

In Year 1 students start with a residential field school and then study modules related to environmental sustainability, understanding environmental systems, climate change and data analysis skills relevant to the environmental scientist.

In Year 2 students study geographic information systems and remote sensing, environmental planning, land and water ecology, atmospheric processes, freshwater systems and pollution, enterprise, business and employability and attend a residential overseas field school (usually in Portugal).

In the final year students continue their study of geographic information systems and remote sensing. Other modules focus on environmental change, environmental challenges and management, applications of water science, remediation of pollution and a research project on a specific environmental problem.

Students also have the option to extend their academic studies by electing to study abroad for a year or by working in industry/business. This additional year spent away from Ulster University is taken in the third year.

UCAS Code F900: BSc Hons Environmental Science (3 years)

UCAS Code F901: BSc Hons Environmental Science with DPP/DIAS (4 years, including placement)

Study abroad options

You will have the opportunity to study for a year at a university abroad. Options include a range of European countries, North America and partner universities in Australia and French Polynesia. On successful completion you will be awarded an additional diploma (DIAS).

Industrial placements

The industrial placement scheme gives you the opportunity to work for 10 months within an organization developing skills and applying knowledge. On successful completion you will be awarded an additional diploma (DPP).

Associate awards

Diploma in Professional Practice DPP

Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Attendance

You are on campus five days per week. The contact time average is 16 hours per week; on average 24 hours per week should be allocated to independent study including academic assessment.

Start dates

• September 2023

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching is delivered through a range of methods such as lectures, seminars and tutorials but with an emphasis on practical and field work. Student learning is assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. The type of assessment depends on what is most suitable for the individual module content. It may include one or more of the following: essays; literature reviews/critical reviews; laboratory reports; fieldwork reports; field notebooks; individual and group project reports; problem analysis; research projects/dissertations; individual and group oral and poster presentations; class tests; web-site design and examinations.

Academic profile

Your lecturers on the course are active researchers. This ensures that the content they teach remains current and relevant.

They are nationally and internationally recognised experts in their fields, e.g.

Professor Andrew Cooper, Coastal Environmental Change

Professor Phil Jordan, Catchment Science

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

EGM Skills Toolbox

Year: 1

Status: C

This module is designed to introduce level 4 students of environmental science and geography to a range of practical skills related to investigative work in these areas of science. This encompasses data gathering (particularly related to mapping, questionnaires, interview techniques, and focus groups), data summary and analysis, and the use of software packages for data display and analysis (Excel and SPSS). The module also provides study and writing skills, data presentation, report writing, and the use of information resources.

Environmental Systems

Year: 1

Status: C

This module is designed to introduce students to the theory of environmental systems and provide an understanding of systems behaviour using various environmental systems as examples. The theoretical component of the module will be provided by lectures, which will cover a contemporary thinking into concepts of environmental systems and the practical part of the module will consist of a laboratory exercises.

Introduction to Psychology 2

Year: 1

Status: C

This module builds on PSY131 and offers students a further introduction to some of the main subject areas of psychology. The module is rooted in scientific research and covers the major theoretical aspects of individual differences, cognitive, mental health.and learning. Alongside PSY131 it serves as a supportive knowledge base for later modules in the course.

Introduction to Psychology 1

Year: 1

Status: C

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to main subject areas of psychology. The module is rooted in scientific research and covers the major theoretical aspects of psychology, with specific reference to areas such as genes, environment, social psychology, developmental psychology, applied behaviour analysis and psychobiology. Alongside PSY111 it serves as a supportive knowledge base for later modules in the course.

The Lithosphere

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This module is an introduction to general geological materials, processes and concepts. Students will learn to identify rocks, minerals and fossils, study the structure of our planet, learn to read and analyse maps, and interpret geological processes and structures in the field.

The Biosphere

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

The biosphere provides an overview of the constituent parts of the living component of the planet, beginning at the level of the individual organism. Starting with an introduction to the history of life on earth and several general concepts, this material will move into the diversity of form in plant divisions and animal phyla in light of taxonomic classification, systematics and phylogeny. These concepts will be outlined with reference to specific case studies and the current state of scientific literature on the subject. These concepts will be demonstrated through a series of practical exercises which will give an appreciation of the diversity of external and internal anatomical form of a range of different organisms and their approaches to life.

The Hydrosphere

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

The hydrosphere provides an overview of fundamental physical, chemical, hydrological and ecological concepts and processes in aquatic environments. Practical exercises in laboratory and field demonstrate and explore these concepts and processes. Accompanying lectures introduce the theoretical concepts and provide the context for practical applications.

Year two

Research Methods and Field School - Environmental Science

Year: 2

Status: C

This two-part module is compulsory and allows students to practise, in the field, a range of methods appropriate for work in many areas of Environmental Science. This will take place within the context of an integrated 8-day residential field course in Portugal. The second part is a detailed preparation for the dissertation module, which is undertaken in the final year.

Skills for Sustainable Planning

Year: 2

Status: C

Through a variety of teaching methods this module provides students with a range of environmental, geographical and generic employment-orientated skills and practices to help them enhance their employability potential and to integrate more effectively into the workplace. Continued development of regions and the expansion in the use of the environment and its resources requires planning and management of often complex and diverse issues and stakeholders. This module examines the relationship between society, planning and environment and explores a range of decision making approaches and the wider social implications of these. It considers the concepts and requirements of environmental impact assessment and outlines the methodology of planning an EIA.

Developmental Psychology

Year: 2

Status: C

This module introduces students to current knowledge of biological, cognitive and psychosocial development. The module includes lectures, laboratory classes and both individual and group work from the outset.

Social Psychology

Year: 2

Status: C

The module will develop the students' knowledge and understanding of social psychological explanations related to common behaviours such as attitude formation, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal attraction, social influence, and aggression.

Freshwater Systems

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module provides a general introduction to the physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in freshwater, including water balance processes, their management and relevance to society.

The Atmosphere

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module is designed to allow students to gain a good understanding of weather phenomena, atmospheric circulation and our climate. In addition, impact of human activity such as pollution and climate change on the atmospheric conditions and circulations will be explored. Global events such as El Nino and the Monsoon will be discussed as case studies.

Ecology and Biogeography

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Ecology is a broad discipline involving biology, chemistry and physics of the environment, geography and human impacts. Concepts of ecology, including the interactions between individuals and populations, and the structure and resilience of communities and ecosystems, will be examined with reference to specific case studies and in the context of the biosphere as a whole. A range of different ecosystems will be studied in terrestrial, freshwater, marine and microbial environments, from which case studies will be drawn. These case studies will include the key production processes in each ecosystem, in addition to model organisms at a range of trophic levels and relevant publications detailing the current state of knowledge for each system. The role of applied ecology, in relation to conservation and environmental management will also be emphasised.

Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module offers students the opportunity to study the principles and applications of terrestrial and underwater remote sensing and GIS and develop links between remote sensing and GIS. Students are expected to become familiar with theoretical foundations of these technologies and to demonstrate technical principles through a series of software-based practical exercises and projects.

Year three

Industrial placement - Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP)

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.

Diploma in Intern'l Academic Stds (learning in a foreign language)

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module is a requirement of the Diploma in International Academic Studies and is mandatory for those students of Environmental Science and Geography studying in a European or International University teaching in a foreign language. It is not available to any other students. Students on this programme are required to achieve at least 50 ECTS while abroad and complete a reflective portfolio concerning their experience while at the host University.

The pass mark for the module is 40%.
The Board of Examiners may award a Pass with Commendation to a candidate who achieves an overall mark between 60% and 69% and a Pass with Distinction to a candidate who achieves an overall mark of at least 70%.

Diploma in International Academic Studies (Learning in English)

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module is a requirement of the Diploma in International Academic Studies and is mandatory for those students of Environmental Science and Geography studying in a European or International University where teaching is (mostly) carried out in English. It is not available to any other students. Students on this programme are required to achieve at least 50 ECTS while abroad and complete a reflective portfolio concerning their experience while at the host University.

The pass mark for the module is 40%.
The Board of Examiners may award a Pass with Commendation to a candidate who achieves an overall mark between 60% and 69% and a Pass with Distinction to a candidate who achieves an overall mark of at least 70%.

Year four

Geography and Environmental Sciences Dissertation

Year: 4

Status: C

This module involves the completion of an individual research project conducted on an Environmental Science, Marine Science or Geography topic of students' own choice in conjunction with help from an academic member of staff (supervisor).

Research and Professional Skills

Year: 4

Status: C

Through a variety of teaching methods this module provides students with a clear focus on professional career opportunities and assists them in enhancing their environmental and geographically specific employability skills. Particular emphasis is given to the translation of the specific research skills of project planning, critical literature review and methodological and analytical techniques that they employed in the dissertation project. Students will gain an understanding of the various sources of postgraduate study and professional job opportunities available to Geography and Environmental Science graduates and will provided with the opportunity to experience a full job application, interview and selection process.

Environmental Change

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

The module examines temporal and spatial signatures of environmental change with the aim of developing an understanding of landscape evolution at Quaternary to historical timescales. A range of proxy evidence (sedimentary and biological) is used to explore the links within the ice-atmosphere-ocean system in global context.

Water Resources Management

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module applies theory and techniques relevant to current issues in catchment management, water pollution and toxicology.

Advanced Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

The module offers students the opportunity to study a variety of spatial and statistical techniques relevant to the GI Industry. Techniques from GIS and remote sensing are applied to the measurement and monitoring of spatial patterns and processes. A number of software programs are available, especially ArcGIS 10.*. Practical experience will be gained using Global Positioning Systems.

Environmental Challenges and Management

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module uses real life case studies to examine how landscapes may be managed and conserved. Examples are drawn from across a range of contexts and challenge the students to consider the complexity of decision making in environmental management. It is available to final year students in Environmental Science and Geography.

Health Psychology

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module will introduce the student to the field of health psychology. Due to changing population demographics and changing patterns of morbidity and mortality and a move towards promoting health and preventing ill health, the area of health psychology is developing rapidly. The current module will include the background to health psychology, how psychological theory contributes to our understanding of health and illness, how it is applied to intervention strategies and techniques employed to prevent ill health and maintain well-being.

Evolutionary Psychology

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module will develop knowledge of Evolutionary Psychology and its place in contemporary mainstream Psychology. It will combine Biological and Cognitive Psychology to explain behaviour from the perspective of survival and adaptation to environmental demands. It offers students the chance to develop critical thinking skills in attempting to dismiss or support a controversial theory.

Occupational Psychology

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module is designed to explore worker behaviour in organisations. It addresses the relationship between the organisation and the personnel on social issues inherent in organisations. It also elucidates the organisational structures and procedures that help predict human work behaviours. It will emphasise research designs which have advanced our understanding of work and organisational psychology.

Behaviourism and Social Issues

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module extends students' understanding of behaviour analysis by providing in-depth coverage of its epistemology as well as its application to the analysis of social behaviour.

Development of Social Behaviour

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

In this module, students will explore the development of social behaviour in children and young people from a variety of theoretical perspectives, examine the environmental factors that influence social development in the home and beyond, look at some real-world issues and problems that impact young people's lives, then explore lifespan development from adolescence to old age. The theory and research examined will illuminate real world issues and problems. The module will also consider how knowledge based on research into the study of social development can be applied in clinical and educational settings. It builds on modules in Year 2, particularly Social Psychology and Developmental Psychology.

Applied Behaviour Analysis

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module is for psychology degree students. It builds on the module, Topics in Behaviour Analysis. Emphasis in the module is given to the extension of the principles of behaviour analysis to areas of language and human cognition, and to providing a solid grounding in methodological aspects of applied behaviour analysis, as well as key areas of application to human behavioural problems, including autism and other important topics in clinical psychology.

Theoretical and Applied Issues in Social Psychology

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

Social psychology is the study of how the thoughts, feelings and actions of individuals are influenced by the actual or perceived thoughts feelings and actions of others. Social psychological research is central to our understanding of society. The module introduces students to applied social psychology by exploring how social psychological theory can be applied to solve real-world problems.

Developmental Psychology Applied to Learning: From home to classroom

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module will build on students existing knowledge of developmental psychology, advancing their knowledge in complex theories, empirical results and debates within the literature. This module will also link developmental psychology research findings to practice. Students will gain practical research skills and hone their communication through completing coursework activities.

Applied Psychology: Mental Health Practice

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

The module introduces students to the conceptualisations of mental health and the key psychological approaches to intervening a person with a mental health problem.

The module aims to prepare students to aspects of clinical practice related to the practitioner psychology professions such as Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, and other graduate Psychology roles, such as the Psychological Well-being practitioner. It is hoped that the module will stimulate students' interest in pursuing these specialisms as professional options within Applied Psychology.

Mental Health

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module provides students with a comprehensive insight into current debates and issues in the field of mental health research and practice. An emphasis is placed on prioritising psychological and social factors (as opposed to biology) to help conceptualise mental wellbeing and psychological distress. It will be relevant for students with an interest in the area of mental health, particularly those who intend to pursue a postgraduate career in professional psychology.

Forensic Psychology and Crime

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module explores the application of psychological theory and research to areas such as offender profiling, victimisation, confessions, sexual and violent crimes, and risk assessment. Students will explore the role that mental illness, social learning, and cognitive processes play in explaining criminality; they will also explore the application of psychology to investigative processes and preventative initiatives for self-harm and suicide in the criminal justice system.

Understanding Sport and Exercise Psychology

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

This module will introduce the student to the fields of sport and exercise psychology. It will provide students with an understanding of the key topics in sport and exercise psychology. The key areas of study will include an introduction to anxiety and stress in sport, motivation, cognitive processes in sport, the social psychology of sport, motor skills, expertise, motivational and dual-mode theories in exercise psychology, and mental health and wellbeing.

Positive Behaviour Support across the Lifespan

Status: O

Year: 4

This module is optional

Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) is an approach to supporting people who may be at risk of presenting with behaviours that challenge. The individual's needs are at the centre of any intervention strategies that are put into place, and those interventions are only considered successful once they lead to measurable changes in the person's quality of life. This includes skill development and enhancement of positive social interactions across work, school, recreational, and community settings as well as a reduction in behaviours that challenge. This PBS module aims to introduce participants to the key concepts surrounding behaviours that challenge and increase their ability to work more confidently with people who display these behaviours across a variety of settings and contexts.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

BCC preferably including STEM subject/science A-level

Subjects may include Geography, Economics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Technology/Science, Physical Education, Single Award Science, ICT, Nutrition and Food Science, Single Award Life & Health Sciences, Software Systems Development. Applied Science Double Award also acceptable.

Provided the above subject requirements are met you can substitute a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University for one of the A level grades.

Applied General Qualifications

Only Geography-based qualifications are acceptable

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite)

Award profile of DDM

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite)

Award profile of DMM

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite)

Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade B

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite)

Award profile of MM plus A Level Grade B

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite)

Award profile of M plus A Level Grades BC

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate (2016 Suite)

Award profile of M plus A Level Grades BC

Irish Leaving Certificate

104 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at a minimum of H6 if studied at Higher Level or minimum of O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Irish Leaving Certificate UCAS Equivalency

• View tariff point chart

Tariff point chart

Scottish Highers

The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is BCCCC

English & Mathematics required at Standard Level 1, 2 or 3

Scottish Advanced Highers

The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is grades CDD

English & Mathematics required at Standard Level 1, 2 or 3

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 24 points to include 12 at Higher Level to include Higher or Subsidiary Level in English Language and Mathematics Grade 4 or above.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 60% overall with 60% in each level 3 module (NI 120 Credit Access Course). To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics.

Pass GB Access to Higher Education course with 12 Distinctions and 30 Merits and 3 passes.

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance requirements for admissions to a first degree course and hold GCSE passes at grade C/grade 4 or above(or equivalent) in Maths and English.

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

Please note that for purposes of entry to this course the Level 2 Certificate in Essential / Key Skill in Application of Number is NOT regarded as an acceptable alternative to GCSE Maths.

English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

• English language requirements
• Your country

Additional Entry Requirements

Applicants may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications acceptable to the University (provided subject requirements as noted above are met).

For further information regarding combination offer requirements, please contact Admissions Office staff on telephone +44 (0)28 7012 3210or email: admissionsce@ulster.ac.uk

Exemptions and transferability

Exemption from the first year is possible if you have obtained a satisfactory grade in a Higher National Diploma in an appropriate subject or in an equivalent qualification.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• DAERA Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs
• AgriFood & Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
• White Young and Green
• Fugro
• Terra Quest Limited
• Loughs Agency
• Causeway Geotech

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Scientific Officer
• Waste Water Inspector
• Environmental Consultant
• Mapping and Charting Officer
• Hydrographic Surveyor
• Soil Scientist
• Ecologist

Career options

Our graduates have found employment as environmental consultants, pollution officers with councils, environmental engineers, landscape planners, tourist officers, landscape architects, countryside wardens, environmental officers, research scientists, teachers (both primary and secondary), and many others in both the private and public sectors. Additional professional and/or postgraduate training might also be necessary. Many excellent one-year postgraduate courses are available in this School and in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Environmental science related postgraduate courses at Ulster University

Find out what some of our environmental science alumni have to say about their time at Ulster and what they are doing now.

Work placement / study abroad

Industrial experience

You have the option to undertake a one-year work placement (in Year 3) with an industry partner leading to the award of Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP). These work placements can be at home or abroad in an organization (company, local or central government or voluntary organization), and you will work under the supervision of an Industrial Supervisor, supported by the DPP Co-ordinator and an Academic Supervisor from within the University.

Study abroad

Alternatively, students can study in one of our partner universities in Europe, in the USA (through the Study USA programme or the International Student Exchange Programme), Australia or Tahiti. All of these international opportunities are available in Year 3 of the programme and lead to the award of a Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS).

Apply

Start dates

• September 2023

Contact

For more information visit

• Visit Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
• Visit School of Geography and Environmental Sciences

Testimonials

'The course gives you a broad range of things; it allowed me to see what I am good at.' Luke Morgan, Ulster University Environmental Science graduate

'Coleraine is excellent for doing practicals in the field, because there is a beach within three miles and a river right beside the campus.' Taylor Williams, American exchange student

'It was a really good experience. I made a lot of friends.' Adam Bamford, Ulster University Environmental Science graduate

'Our lecturers are very helpful.' Catherine Dynes, Ulster University Environmental Science graduate

Watch some of our graduates on video