BSc Environmental Science Programme Specification 2024-25

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			BSc Environmental Science.
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024		Award type			BSc
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9	What level is this qualification?			6		Length of programme			3 years
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			YES		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			Semester dates as per the standard University semester dates.
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15	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Environment and Geography
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17	Lead department			Environment and Geography		Other contributing departments			ESAY - manage Sustainability Clinic module.
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19	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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28	Reference points
29	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
30	University's frameworks for programme design.
31	University's frameworks for programme design.
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33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
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38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
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43	Internal Transfers
44	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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46		Transfers in:	Yes			Transfers out:	Yes
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49	Statement of Purpose
50	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	The Environmental Science degree from the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York will equip you with key skills to enable you to evaluate environmental problems and develop sustainable solutions. Your lecturers are experts in fields such as ecotoxicology, atmospheric chemistry, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry and environmental policy. You will be trained to critically review relevant literature in a range of key environmental areas, and design and execute research both locally and overseas to address environmental problems using appropriate field, survey and laboratory methods. By your final year of study you are well equipped to undertake an independent research project utilising our state-of-the-art research faciltiies. You will become proficient in using key digital learning technologies used by professional environmental scientists such as web-based literature search tools, geographical information systems and statistical packages. The degree will also allow you to develop strong group working and project leadership skills through targeted team building exercises and training. Graduates from this degree are solution-oriented, inter-disciplinary thinkers who can communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences, the key environmental challenges facing humanity and their solutions. By the end of the degree you will be able to evidence achievements in a wide range of key employability skills that will open up opportunities for careers in research, environmental consultancy, ecology and conservation and teaching.
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62	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
63	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
64	Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4/Certificate).			No	Partial completion of most PLOs, more limited progress on completion of independent study related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.			120 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations on the award of a Cert. of HE.
65	Diploma of Higher Education (Level 5/Intermediate).			No	Partial completion of most PLOs, more limited progress on completion of independent study related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.			240 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations on award of a Dip in HE.
66	Ordinary degree			No	Achievement of most PLOs, partial completion of independent research related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.			300 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations for award of an ordinary degree.
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68	Programme Learning Outcomes
69	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
70	1	Debate, interpret and explain current and emerging issues in environmental science occurring on a range of scales using appropriate methods and norms, and engage critically with best evidence on the impacts and management of climate, environmental and land use change, pollution and development. [Knowledgeable and Aware].
71	2	Obtain, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information on environmental science and related areas from a wide range of reliable sources. [Independent learner].
72	3	Cut across disciplinary boundaries to link knowledge and experience from a wide range of natural, physical and social sciences to understand the complex interactions occurring within and between natural and human environments. [Interdisciplinary thinker].
73	4	Plan, design and execute research as an individual or as part of a team to address environmental questions and problems using critically-selected field, survey and laboratory methods at appropriate temporal and spatial scales. [Creator of new knowledge].
74	5	Critically analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate scientific and technological information and tools such as geographical information systems (GIS) and statistical packages to draw meaningful conclusions from research in the field of environmental science. [Analytical].
75	6	Effectively communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media. [Effective communicator].
76	7	Recommend sustainable solutions to environmental problems that consider the broader social, political and environmental contexts, and the ethical implications of their application by applying knowledge, theories and approaches from environmental science and related disciplines. [Problem solver].
77	8	Work responsibly as part of a team or as a team-leader to set challenging yet attainable goals and make an important contribution to defining the way in which our environment functions, understanding how it will respond to human activities and developing sustainable solutions. [Team player].
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79	Diverse entry routes
80	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
81	We support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme through support from pastoral supervisors who direct students to additional sources of advice and help over and above the academic skills embedded into the design of our programmes. This includes our Skills Hub, an online resource that provides a wealth of guidance and suppoprt, including video tutorials, that students can use to further build their skills and knowledge.
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90	Inclusion
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92	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.									TRUE
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94	Employability
95	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
96	The programme outcomes capture key employability skills that graduates of an Environmental Science degree can be asked to demonstrate when applying for successful and rewarding careers in a range of fields of work. By providing a clear pathway towards achieving these learning outcomes, and plentiful opportunities to use and practice these skills, e.g. via real world assessments, through our programme students will be able to draw out specific examples of work that they have undertaken to evidence their accomplishments to potential future employers. We have embedded an explicit set of employability principles in our programme which both ensures, and reflects, our commitment to developing students' employability.
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