Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 or 370 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
Environmental science is a vital and vibrant subject that explores the complexities of the natural environment and our relationship with it. Our environment is fascinating – but it’s under threat from climate change, biodiversity loss and resource depletion. This interdisciplinary degree course combines aspects of biology, ecology, geography, chemistry, technology and social science to help you understand the whole picture. The BSc (Honours) Environmental Science will enable you to develop the scientific and technical knowledge and skills required to investigate ecosystems, to understand fundamental environmental patterns and processes, and to address local and global environmental issues. You’ll be studying the problems we face in understanding our natural environment and in living sustainably, as well as developing your scientific, interpretive and creative thinking skills.This qualification requires fieldwork including compulsory residential school activities in the UK.
Planning your studies
Stage 1 consists of Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116) and the discontinued module Exploring science (S104).
There are two ways to complete this degree.
Route A is the original route through this degree, where students studied the two compulsory modules Environmental science (S216) (60 credits) and Practical environmental science (SXE288) (30 credits) at Level 2. These two modules were available for the last time in February 2014.
Route B is the current route for students who have not studied S216, where they will able to study the 60-credit module Environmental science (SXF206), which integrates practical work with theory.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). If you have graduated with an OU BSc degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 credits. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.
Career relevance and employability
The broad and specialist skills you’ll develop in this degree course will equip you to work in a variety of jobs. Environmental science skills are in demand from government and regulatory bodies, the private sector, consultancies and conservation organisations. Careers directly related to the degree include:
- pollution control
- recycling
- water quality
- resources
- energy management
- sustainability
- environmental consultancy
- ecology and nature conservation
- environmental education.
Your studies will also be relevant to financial, business and public sector work.
As a graduate of the BSc (Honours) Environmental Science, you’ll have gained breadth and depth of understanding in scientific, technical and environmental issues. You’ll be able to think creatively; tackle multifaceted issues; and collect, analyse and interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data.
You’ll also gain skills in:
- practical and project working – including research, planning and fieldwork techniques
- digital literacy
- communication
- interdisciplinary team working.
In addition, skills like self-motivation, teamwork and problem solving will demonstrate your all-round ability and make you more employable.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
Route A – if you have studied the two compulsory Level 2 modules S216 and SXE288**
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
210 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116])
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued modules S102, S103, S104
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 60-credit module S216
-
|
- The discontinued 30-credit module SXE288*
-
|
And 30 credits from one of the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Energy and sustainability (T213)
|
30 |
|
- The biology of survival (S295)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules S236, S240, S250, S260, S268, S276, S278, S280, T206, T210***
And 60 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 3 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Ecosystems (S396)
|
30 |
|
- Science project course: environmental science practical project (SXE390)
|
30 |
|
And 60 credits from the following optional modules, by either including U316 or at least 30 credits from modules with codes beginning with ‘S’**:
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Evaluating contemporary science (S350)
|
30 |
|
- Renewable energy (T313)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules S330, S366, S369, T308***, U316
*Includes two compulsory residential activities (see description for details)
**If you have studied the discontinued module SXR216 you will require 190 credits from the Level 1 and Level 2 compulsory modules and 90 credits from the Level 3 optional modules, bringing your total number of credits to 370 for this degree
***60-credit module of which only 30 credits counts towards this qualification
Route B – if you have not already studied the Level 2 module S216
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
180 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued modules S102, S103, S104
Level 2 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Environmental science (SXF206)
|
60 |
|
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Earth science (S209)
|
60 |
|
- Energy and sustainability (T213)
|
30 |
|
- The biology of survival (S295)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules S236, S240, S250, S260, S268, S276, S278, S280, T206, T210***
And 60 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 3 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Ecosystems (S396)
|
30 |
|
- Science project course: environmental science practical project (SXE390)
|
30 |
|
And 60 credits from the following optional modules, by either including U316 or at least 30 credits from modules with codes beginning with ‘S’
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Evaluating contemporary science (S350)
|
30 |
|
- Renewable energy (T313)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules S330, S366, S369, T308***, U316
***60-credit module of which only 30 credits counts towards this qualification
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental Science degree.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in 240 credits from modules above Level 1. These 240 credits must include all the compulsory Level 2 and Level 3 requirements of the qualification as specified, and must include at least 120 credits at Level 3.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification