The information for the career prospects section has been drawn from the DHLE data from the last two years.

Entrance Scholarships are available in this subject. Please visit www.reading.ac.uk/ studentfinance for more details.

Career prospectsA wide range of environmental consultancies,

government agencies, industrial and utility

companies and voluntary organisations are

currently recruiting environmental scientists

and therefore career prospects are excellent

with 98% of our graduates in paid work or

higher level study six months after graduat-

ing. The strong scientific content and wide

range of practical, analytical and key skills,

which are part of our Environmental Science

degrees, mean that our graduates are in an

excellent position to gain employment in a

relevant sector. Recent graduates have entered

employment with organisations as diverse as

the Environmental Agency, Centre for Ecology

and Hydrology, Meteorological Office, WD

Environmental and Anglian Soil Analysis

or are taking specialist MSc or PhD degrees.

Typical roles include Environmental Scientist,

Lab Technician, Environmental Officer and

Environmental Technician.

Teaching methodsA wide range of teaching and learning meth-

ods are used in all our Environmental Science

degrees. A practical laboratory or field class

normally accompanies lectures. Small group

tutorials, seminars and project work are also

features of all our courses. Fieldwork is a major

component of the environmental sciences

ranging from local field classes of a couple

of hours to a week or longer classes in the UK

and abroad. One of our strengths is that all our

students also undertake practical and project

work in our excellent research laboratories,

working along side Environmental Science

research students and staff.

Quality assessmentWe are consistently highly rated in published

reviews such as The Times Good University Guide.

Study abroadThere are opportunities to study in the EU for

several months during your degree under the

ERASMUS exchange scheme. Language tuition

is available as appropriate if you wish to study

in Europe. The University also has exchange

links with Australia and the USA.

Professional experienceFour year degrees in Environmental Science

are available. These programmes can include

a year of professional experience in the third

year. Previous students have worked in organi-

sations such as Forest Research, the Atomic

Weapons Establishment and the Environment

Agency gaining valuable ‘real-life’ experience

during their degree.

Your choice of programmeOur programmes offer a wide range of choice

so that you can specialise in the aspects of

Environmental Science that interest you

most. All our students take a number of core

modules essential to the understanding of the

subject. A range of optional modules is avail-

able to all years and these allow you to focus

on the areas that suit your own strengths

and interests.

130

Faculty of Science  •  Environmental Science

Environmental Sciencewww.reading.ac.uk/environmentalscience

How does the environment operate? How do humans affect natural systems and how can we manage and use the Earth’s resources sustainably? How can environmental information be used in ways as diverse as solving crimes and determining future climate change? The environment is a key area for industry, commerce and government. We aim to prepare you for a career as a professional environmental scientist able to work in a variety of situations to inform the current debates on how we use and sustain the environment.

Spain is only one venue on our varied field class programme

‘I chose to do Environmental Science because it seemed to be an interesting mix of subject areas. There is a really broad range of modules to choose from which means that you get a good overview of the subject. It also gave me a good idea of what career I wanted to follow after graduation. I am now undertaking an MSc in Hydrogeology. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Reading. There is a lot of life on campus, in the Union and in the town.’

Linda ProtheroeGraduate, Environmental Science

Faculty of Science

131

Many students want to study Environmental

Science because of a deep interest in the natu-

ral environment and the sustainable use of its

resources. These aspects are a core part of our

Environmental Science degrees in Reading.

We also believe that an understanding of natu-

ral systems and their interactions in space and

time are essential. It is only by describing and

quantifying natural change that we can accu-

rately assess the impact of human activity on

our planet. This means that strategies for the

conservation and sustainable use of resources

can be developed and managed in the best pos-

sible way. With this is mind our students study

aspects of the geosphere, biosphere, atmo-

sphere and hydrosphere and how these can

change through time. Wherever possible this

approach is both qualitative and quantitative.

Students like to specilise in particular

aspects of Environmental Science, depend-

ing on their interests and intended careers.

The degrees are very flexible with a wide

range of optional modules to choose from in

each year. Some examples of specialisms that

recent students have taken are: Earth and

Atmospheric Science; Environmental Change

and Habitat Management.

Earth & Atmospheric ScienceThis pathway explores the interactions

between the solid Earth, the Earth’s sur-

face, the atmosphere and climates. First

year options could include Materials of the

Earth, Geomorphology and Weather Systems

Analysis. Second and final year options could

include Atmospheric & Ocean Dynamics,

Earth System Science and Remote Sensing.

Environmental ChangeThe causes and timescales of natural envi-

ronmental change and how human activity

can affect these changes are explored in this

specialism. First year options could include

Geomorphology, Ecology and Humans

& the Changing World. Second and final

year options could include Environmental

Management, Geographical Information

Systems, Plants & Climate and Earth

Systems Science.

Habitat ManagementHuman activity has a huge effect on the range

and diversity of habitats on Earth. This spe-

cialism investigates how natural resources

can be understood and managed. Optional

modules in first year could include Ecology,

Countryside & Environment, Plant Diversity

and Soil, Land & Environment. Second and

final year options could include Soil Ecology,

Approaches to Sustainable Development, and

Conservation and Biodiversity.

BSc Environmental Science 3 years full-time F851 or 4 years with year of professional experience F852

MEnv Sci (Masters in Environmental Science) 4 years full-time F754 or 5 years with professional experience F755

The conservation and management of water resources is addressed in the final year of our Environmental Science degree

Faculty of Science  •  Environmental Science

132

Students on one of our field classes investigating land use issues in an area of outstanding natural beauty

BSc or MEnvSci?We offer both a BSc and an MEnvSci qualifica-

tion. Both our degrees prepare you for a career

in the Environmental Sciences. If you want

a 3-year degree programme then the BSc is for

you. If you want to spend a fourth year devel-

oping a specialism, then it is the MEnvSci that

you want. The degrees follow the same path

in years 1 and 2 so it is easy to change between

the courses after you have started.

The professional year optionBoth BSc and MEnvSci degrees offer the

opportunity to gain a year of professional

experience. Students spend a year working

in industry after completing Year 2. On their

return, they continue their academic

programme from where they left off.

Faculty of Science

133

Year 1Compulsory modulesIntroduction to Environmental Science

Introduction to the Earth

Environmental Science Field Class

Quantitative Methods

Science for the Environment

Optional modulesEarth Materials

Soils, Land & Environment

Humans and the Changing World

Ecology: Species and their Interactions

Countryside & the Environment

Fundamental Chemistry

Hydrology

Geomorphology

Introduction to Atmospheric

A Language

Year 2Compulsory modulesEnvironmental Science Field Class

Global Climate Change

Soil Ecology and Function

Sustainable Land Management

Skills and Career Management

Optional modulesEarth Surface Processes

Forestry and Woodlands

Environment in Practice

Plants & the Environment

Macroevolution

Animal Behaviour

Applied Ecology

Energy Resources

Geomorphological Hazards

A Language

Professional year optionBoth BSc and MEnviSci degrees offer the opportunity to spend a year working in industry between Year 2 and Year 3

Year 3Compulsory modulesIndependent Research Project

Land Evaluation

Optional modulesEnvironmental Management

Field Class

Earth Systems Science

Fundamental & Applied Soil Ecology

Climate Change & Food Systems

Plants & Climate

Glacial & Periglacial Geomorphology

Oceanography

Wildlife in the Farming Environment

Management of Soil Fertility

Year 3Compulsory modulesLand Evaluation

Earth Systems Science

Field Class

Library Project

Applied & Env. Soil Microbiology

Optional modulesEnvironmental Management

Coastal & Maritime Archaeology

Management of Soil Fertility

Environmental Forensics

Climate Change & Food Systems

Plants & Climate

Glacial & Periglacial Geomorphology

Wildlife in the Farming Environment

Remote Sensing

Oceanography

Year 4

Compulsory modulesIndependent Research Project

Quantative Data Analysis

Soils & Water Quality

Waste & Environmental Management

Remediation

Optional modulesSoil Microbiology & Biotechnology

Site Investigation & Risk Management

Entrepreneurial & Business Skills

Field Class

Practical Site Investigation

Urban Environments

Sustainable Development

Energy, Carbon and the Environment

Water, Agriculture & Irrigation

Rural Planning & Policy

BSc MEnvSciBSc or Masters in Environmental Science (MEnvSci)

Students on one of our field classes

Faculty of Science  •  Environmental Science

134

A huge amount of information at investiga-

tion and crime scenes can be obtained from

the natural and human-made materials found

there. For example, pollen, soil, sediment,

insect, chemical, hair and bone data can all

be used to help work out the movements of

both suspects and victims and the timescales

involved. This course will provide you with a

sound understanding of the techniques used

to determine the sources of materials. In addi-

tion it addresses how these materials can be

used by the police and other agencies as legally

admissible evidence. If you want to learn the

technical and transferable skills and knowl-

edge that are relevant to the application of

environmental forensics in industry, research

and the legal system then this is the course

for you.

The first year will provide you with a

grounding in environmental science, includ-

ing field work, criminology and the legal

system and key archaeological techniques

used by forensic scientists. The second year

focuses on the development of a wide range of

analytical and key skills and technical experi-

ence. The final year includes a research project

which will allow you to use your knowledge

and practical skills to solve a forensic prob-

lem. The wide choice of optional modules in

all three years allows students to specialise

in either material or biological forensics

if desired.

Year 1Compulsory modulesIntroduction to Environmental Science

Introduction to Environmental Science Fieldwork

Introduction to Criminology

Practicing Archaeology

Optional modulesBones, Bodies and Burials: the Archaeology of Death

Earth Materials

The Living Cell

Humans & the Changing World

Ecology: Species and their Interactions

Plant Diversity, Structure & Utilisation

Inorganic Chemistry for Natural Scientists

Organic Chemistry for Biochemistry & Natural Sciences

Physical Chemistry for Natural Science

Languages

Year 2Compulsory modulesArchaeological Sciences

Crime Scene Analysis

Skills for Environmental Scientists

Optional modulesForensic Analysis

Human Activity and Environmental Change

Environmental Mineralogy

Soil Ecology & Function

Transport Processes in Soil

Evolution and Classification of Plant Diversity

Flowering Plants of the World

Aquatic Biology

Invertebrate Biology

Applied Ecology

Forensic Statistics and Genetics

Final yearCompulsory modulesIndependent Project

Forensic Issues and Practice

Optional modulesForensic Biology

Micromorphology

Forensic Analysis 2

Environmental Geophysics

Environmental Archaeology

Earth Systems Science

Fundamental & Applied Soil Ecology

Weed Ecology

BSc Environmental Forensics 3 years full-time F410

Fact file 135

Faculty of Science

BSc Environmental Science F851 and F852

BSc Environmental Forensics F410

Standard offerUCAS tariff 300 points from three subjects including two full A levels. Total points exclude Key Skills and General Studies.

SubjectsOne from Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies or Geology preferred.

International Baccalaureate 6, 5, 5 from three higher level subjects.

Subject brochure Yes.

Masters in Environmental Science F754 and F755

Standard offerUCAS tariff 320 points from three subjects including two full A levels. Total points exclude Key Skills and General Studies.

SubjectsOne from Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies or Geology preferred.

International Baccalaureate 6, 6, 5 from three higher level subjects.

Further information contact Dr Steve Robinson, Admissions Tutortel 0118 378 6075e-mail envsci@reading.ac.uk www.reading.ac.uk/ soilscience

Related subjectsAnimal Science, Biology, Environmental and Countryside Management, Zoology

Opportunities to visitUniversity Open Days Friday 18 June, Saturday 2 October and Saturday 23 October 2010We welcome pre-application visits. Please contact Admissions Office.Applicants are invited to attend School Information Days.

Transfers between programmesIn many cases it is possible to switch between the Environmental Science degrees at the end of Year 1, so long as the appropriate optional modules have been taken.

Students analysing sediment and vegetation