Environmental Sciences with a Year in Industry

Description

Every person alive is profoundly influenced by their environment every day but how well do you understand your environment and how it is affecting you?

Here in the oldest and largest School of Environmental Sciences in the UK we will help you to learn how the social, biological, physical and chemical components of your environment interact together to influence your life.

You will acquire a wide range of skills that will enable you to apply the most rigorous scientific analyses to current problems caused by the way in which mankind is changing our environment at a greater rate than ever before.

The Year in Industry programme involves four years of study with the first two years being spent at UEA following the BSc Environmental Sciences programme. The third year is spent on an industrial placement with a relevant scientific placement provider. You will return to UEA for your fourth and final year.

The first year provides a very broad platform that ensures you have all the necessary building blocks to choose, from the very wide range listed below, a combination of honours units that best suit your individual interests.

This pathway is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences. Students will be eligible for Associate Membership of the IES upon graduation, with the opportunity of achieving Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) or Chartered Scientist (CSci) status.

Study Environmental Sciences at UEA and find out the answers to the following questions and many more...

• What is the geological evidence for climate change?
• How has the Earth changed over the last 2.5 million years?
• How does pollution affect human health and well-being?
• Can we predict the outcome of pollution many years in the future
• What is biodiversity?
• What is the philosophy behind the conservation of biodiversity?
• How are international environmental treaties formed?
• What are the political issues preventing a world wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions?
• Can we predict future climate change and its effects?
• How would a volcanic eruption affect the global climate?
• What drives the circulation of the atmosphere and oceans?
• What is El Nino?
• How can we reduce our energy consumption in the western world?
• What are the environmental impacts of non-fossil fuels?
• How are the risks of flooding reduced?
• Can farmed land be managed to promote biodiversity and sustainability?
• How can the environment be accounted for within an economic system?
• What happens inside an erupting volcano?
• Does ozone depletion have any implications for human health?

Field Course Options

Field courses and practical classes are an integral part of training our environmental science students. You will be introduced to many different geological environments, ecological habitats and learn a variety of practical techniques using specialist equipment through the wide range of field courses available.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 10560 Year (EEA)
• EUR 17480 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

Year 1

This year is designed to demonstrate that the major global environmental challenges facing mankind can be understood and managed only with a broad foundation extending across the physical, biological and social sciences. This multi-subject approach will be an opportunity for you to sample new subjects, to help you decide which topics to pursue later in your degree. It will also develop your scientific and numerical skills.

Year 2

You will have considerable flexibility to tailor your degree according to your interests. You will choose from the substantial range of modules that are spread across thematic areas, including: Earth Sciences and Natural Hazards; Atmospheric and Marine Pollution; Ecology and Conservation; Environmental Management.
Please note that the Year Abroad and Year in Industry are taken between years 2 and 3.

Year 3

Those students on the BSc programme will carry out some original research involving fieldwork into an environmental topic of their choice, under the supervision of a faculty member who will be an expert in your specialist area of the environmental sciences. This can be one of the most exciting and challenging parts of your degree.

Year 4 (MSci only)

During the final year of the integrated Masters programme you will study advanced Masters level modules chosen from the substantial optional range and undertake a substantial piece of independent research under the supervision of a research active member of faculty. Some examples of MSci dissertations include:

• Exploring consequences of biochar incorporation into agricultural soils
• Examining risk communication strategies for natural disasters
• Examining the effects of climate change on coastal biodiversity.

Year In Industry

Completion of a Year in Industry programme will ensure you graduate with relevant work experience, putting you one step ahead of other students. This exciting degree programme provides you with this opportunity.

There is no greater asset in today’s competitive job market than relevant work experience. A Year in Industry will give you first-hand knowledge of not only the mechanics of how your chosen field operates but it will also greatly improve your chances of progressing within that sector as you seal valuable contacts and insight. These courses will also enhance your studies as theory is transformed into reality in a context governed by very real, time and financial constraints.

Our Industrial Links

We have well-established commercial connections throughout the UK and beyond. Over 100 of our students have undertaken year-long placements as part of this programme. The fine work undertaken by the students leads to an ever growing network of employers who have experienced the positive benefits which come from offering a placement opportunity. We can help you to tap into this network and also provide other ideas of organisations who you might contact. Our students have worked in environmental roles within Local and National Government, in SMEs and Multinationals, for Environmental Consultancies and Research Institutes and with Conservation groups and NGOs.

Financial Benefits

A big attraction to this type of course, apart from the enhanced career prospects, is that students spending a Year in Industry as part of their degree will pay a reduced tuition fee for that year, currently £900 (2012 figures). In addition, of course, you are typically paid by the placement provider during the year, a great way to help fund your studies.

For the latest on financial arrangements for our Year in Industry students please visit the UEA Finance webpage.

How it Works

The Year in Industry degree programmes are four years in length with the work placement taking place during your third year. Placements constitute a minimum of nine months full-time employment and a maximum of 14 months.

In Years 1 and 2, we will help you prepare for an industrial placement by running workshops to raise awareness of key issues and to encourage networking. We will make sure you are fully aware of all the organisations who have previously hosted our placement students. We will also advertise all current placement opportunities of which we are aware. Our Careers service will be on hand to help with your applications. With this support, you will take the lead in securing your own placement - not only will this ensure that you work within your preferred field of Environmental Sciences, it will also provide you with the essential job-hunting skills you will require after graduation. Throughout the work placement itself, you will keep in close contact with an assigned mentor at UEA and your mentor will also visit you in your place of work during the year. In your placement year you will also undertake a Work Based Learning module which will help you to reflect on and get the very most from the placement experience.

Please note that we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers and students will be expected to source these placements themselves. If you were unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year you will have the option to apply to be transferred onto the equivalent three-year degree programme without a Year in Industry.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL iBT® test : 78

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A Level: ABB
• International Baccalaureate: 32 (incl 3 HL subjects at grade 5)
• Scottish Highers: AABBB
• Irish Leaving Certificate: AABBBB
• Access Course: See below
• European Baccalaureate: 75% overall

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6. overall (minimum 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 78 overall (minimum 20 in Speaking component, 17 in Writing and Listening components and 18 in Reading components.
• PTE: 55 overall (minimum 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

Applicants are asked to have at least one science based A2-level or equivalent. Acceptable science subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics.
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

We encourage you to apply if you have alternative qualifications equivalent to our stated entry requirement. Please contact us for further information.
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3, including 12 Level 3 Science credits.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have Mathematics and English at minimum of Grade C or above at GCSE Level.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of East Anglia.