BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to ABB in one set of exams (required: Biology* at B, Chemistry* at B, Environmental Science at B, Environmental Technology at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Mathematics* at B, Physics* at B) IB: from 34 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Ecological and Environmental Sciences, a marine biology degree focused on living systems and physical environments. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Communication & Writing, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students undertake a dissertation often conducted in partnership with external organisations and research centres. The first year covers data handling, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. The second year introduces programming languages such as R or Python, species identification and habitat observation, statistical techniques for analysing environmental data, and designing research projects with hypothesis formulation. The third year builds on this with ethical reflection, research-led learning, advanced data analysis, critical evaluation of evidence, independent and group project work, research communication, and digital research tools. The final year centres on outdoor field data collection for the project, individual academic supervision, and an independent dissertation.
Modules
- data handling
- critical thinking
- communication and teamwork
- programming languages such as R or Python
- species identification and habitat observation
- statistical techniques, including the ability to analyse uncertainty in environmental data
- designing and writing research projects, including hypothesis formulation and methodological planning
- ethical reflection
- research-led learning
- advanced data analysis
- critical evaluation of evidence
- independent and group project work
- research communication and presentation skills
- digital research tools to collate, manage, and synthesise scientific literature
- Most students will do outdoor field data collection as part of their project
- You will receive individual supervision from an academic with experience in your chosen subject area
- Often, dissertations are undertaken in partnership with companies or UK research centres, including SRUC and UKCEH
- Does cacao drive deforestation in Amazonian Peru?
- Competition interactions in a neotropical cloud forest
- Plant detritus decomposition in a Mediterranean lagoon
- Carbon payback times of wind farms on the Isle of Lewis
- A critical review of land reform policies in devolved Scotland
- Investigating the relationships between the European otter and the invasive signal crayfish
- The effect of speed bump presence on potentially toxic element concentration in road dust in Edinburgh
- How does charcoal production influence wealth and natural resource use in Mabalane District, Mozambique?