Overview
This honours degree offers a unique combination of scientific and instrumentation based modules to train graduates in the skills required to become environmental monitoring specialists, specifically in the areas of air and water quality analysis.
Most of the modules taught have a significant laboratory element and students can expect to spend 50% of their contact time working with modern laboratory instrumentation. The emphasis is on making scientific measurements and analysing the results, as well as calibrating and operating technical equipment. To assist in this, the students receive a comprehensive foundation in physics and chemistry together with specialist modules in electronics, statistics, instrumentation, environmental GIS, smart sensors and the internet of things.
There is a continual green ethos throughout the course; the provision of green technical and managerial modules aim to stimulate graduates to become champions of sustainability. There are modules that deal with waste management, water and air quality, as well as green auditing to ensure that graduates are fully up-to-date with the legal, economic and technical aspects of environmental monitoring.
In addition to the scientific and technical modules, there are a number of modules designed to develop competencies in communication skills, report writing and presentation skills, and research methods along with an emphasis on teamwork.
In year 3, students are placed within an industry or research group for work placement. It may be possible for the work placement to be in an international location. In the final year of the course, there is a major technical project in the area of environmental monitoring.