Marine Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

You’ll build confidence in maths, physics, chemistry and data skills used by Earth and Environmental scientists, including analysing real environmental datasets and creating clear visualisations.

You’ll also learn the basics of coding in RStudio, with support available through optional drop-in sessions to help you develop essential digital and analytical skills.

You will develop your understanding of human impacts on ecosystems across the world and through time. Engaging local field days will support your learning, develop your practical skills, and enable you to see ecological theory in practice in a range of habitats.

The module emphasises the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches that must be taken to understand and solve environmental issues.

Through in-depth lectures and workshops, you’ll begin to develop the critical thinking skills needed to begin to tackle real-world environmental problems to shape a better future.

You’ll learn about physical and chemical processes that control seawater and sediments, and how these influence marine habitats and ecosystems.

You’ll research scientific literature, develop academic writing skills, and build confidence in interpreting marine environments and the interactions between organisms and their surroundings.

Learn taxonomy, ecology, and the processes that shape life from polar regions to tropical seas.

Explore the impacts of climate change and human activity while developing practical skills through engaging lectures and hands-on sessions.

You’ll take part in hands-on fieldwork aboard a coastal survey vessel and laboratory practicals to collect and explore real oceanographic data. You’ll develop computing, data analysis and teamwork skills, gaining confidence in interpreting multi-disciplinary datasets and presenting professional scientific reports.

You’ll develop practical data analysis and coding skills by working with real datasets and using R to run and interpret statistical tests.

You’ll strengthen your career readiness by developing academic writing skills, creating professional CVs and cover letters, and reflecting on your future career goals.

Working closely with peers, you'll strengthen your teamwork skills while exploring the diverse challenges and opportunities within the environmental sector.

By the end of the module, you'll not only gain practical experience but also develop the professional competencies that set you up for a successful career in environmental consultancy or other exciting roles in the field.

You’ll get familiar with the big issues and contemporary debates in education studies as well as the role and expectations of a teacher.

You’ll develops fundamental knowledge and skills that teachers require, as well as your capability to structure and critique a lesson plan.

This module will see you navigate your way to new skills as you learn the theory and practical principles of coastal navigation , chart reading, and course plotting, ensuring you can plan and execute safe journeys at sea.

Through the RYA Day Skipper Theory and Powerboat Level 2 courses, you'll develop your boat handling skills under the guidance of accredited providers.

This module is ideal to combine maritime theory with hands-on skills to help you enhance your professional profile and personal development.

Take your diving expertise to the next level with our Scientific Diving Techniques module, designed for students already holding a PADI Open Water certification (or equivalent).

This PADI Scientific Diver course combines advanced practical skills with academic depth, covering the theory and challenges of underwater scientific operations.

Through classroom-based workshops, you’ll master HSE legislation, risk assessment, project planning, and reporting - all aligned with Approved Codes of Practice.

You'll then apply your knowledge in the field by planning and executing a real-world diving project.

Delivered under PADI accreditation and University-approved standards, this module offers a unique opportunity to gain professional-level diving competence while enhancing your scientific research capabilities.

Through working with real-world data, you’ll learn core theory before exploring the capture, interpretation and analysis of geographical and environmental data around topics such as wildlife habitats and natural disasters.

Along the way, you’ll develop valuable digital, analytical, and problem-solving skills that will give you a strong advantage in the job market.

You'll explore the ethics of everyday products to help you develop your critical thinking skills. 

Sustainable Environmental Management connects your personal consumption to the status of the local, regional, and global environment.

You'll plan and deliver an independent research project guided by your interests and career ambitions. 

Through structured supervision and self-directed enquiry, you'll strengthen your ability to frame research questions, work with evidence, and evaluate findings critically. 

The module helps you build confidence as an emerging professional, preparing you for postgraduate study or graduate roles that require independent thinking, problem solving and clear communication.

You'll study the science of wind, wave and solar power as well as the environmental costs and benefits of low carbon emission nuclear power. 

The module will include lab sessions, workshops and a field trip to a wind and solar farm.

You’ll examine the development of core theories and practices that underpin the social, economic and environmental management of coastal areas and the activities that take place within them. You’ll then apply these concepts to a broad range of real-world issues including sustainable development, land and sea use planning, ecotourism, climate change, conservation, and the management of recreational and leisure activities.

The module is geared towards your professional career. You’ll take part in applied tasks based on real-world case studies, as well as going on mini fieldtrips to see coastal management in practice.

You will also hear from a range of industry speakers – many of whom are alumni of the University of Portsmouth – about their professional experiences and career development.

The first part of this module investigates a plethora of geophysical (e.g., earthquakes, landslides and Tsunamis), hydrological (e.g., storms and flooding), and climatological (e.g., droughts and wildfires) hazards and how they affect the landscape and ancient civilisations through a range of spatial and temporal scales.

The second part of this module explores the basic science of the climate, the evolution of the climate and the signature of human influence on Earth's systems in recent times.

The methods employed in climate modelling are discussed, and climate models are used to investigate global and regional climate futures. Vulnerabilities and impacts are explored, and measures that may be adopted in mitigation and amelioration are investigated in the context of a self-directed, supervised regional vulnerability study.

Learn the principles of conservation and restoration through labs, workshops, and field trips.

Develop practical skills in ecological data collection and analysis while exploring strategies to protect vulnerable species and habitats.

Through real world examples, fieldtrips and workshops you'll develop your understanding of conservation, habitat restoration and protected areas management.

You'll explore conservation challenges from a range of perspectives and learn how to develop tailored and targeted environmental messaging for diverse stakeholders.

In a supportive environment, you'll develop your own environmental code and vision for conservation.

You'll learn to select appropriate analytical methods, design projects, and evaluate data to solve complex Earth and environmental challenges.

Build the skills to be a generator or user of laboratory data, preparing yourself for a career in a wide range of sectors, as well as research and development.