Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES)

Environmental Science

There is no substitute for fieldwork in the Environmental Sciences, and as such the ES course is a 'field-based' degree, offering a wide range of fieldwork experience.

The aim is to deepen your knowledge of the environment, introduce you to a new way of looking at the natural world, and provide sought-after practical experience which will be invaluable when looking to move on to a career after your degree.

Our fieldwork programme is based around two residential field courses at levels 1 and 2, and, at level 3, a project and study tour. This is supplemented by a range of short outings which are linked to particular units, some being optional. The level 3 project is a major component of the course, and you will be encouraged to choose a field-based topic for your research.

Residential Field Courses

Level 1

Somerset field course - compulsory

Level 2

Malta field course - compulsory

Level 3

Belize - This optional 2-week fieldtrip to Belize provides students with a unique opportunity to study terrestrial, watershed and marine ecology in a facinating country. Belize is culturally and biologically diverse, and has extensive tropical forests and associated wildlife, a wealth of Maya archaeology sites, and the second largest cave system and barrier reef in the world.

Other Field work

Short courses

These include trips to Portsea Island, the Isle of Wight, the Dorset Coast, Eastney Beach, Sellafield, the New Forest, Langstone Harbour, Farlington Marshes and other local sites.

Boat work

For those choosing marine options, we use a variety of chartered vessels, including the National Oceanography Centre's M/V Bill Conway.