Why study Ecological and

Environmental Sciences at
Edinburgh?
At Edinburgh students have a wide choice of
courses in every year of the degree programme.
If desired, courses in modern languages,
business and arts can be taken in frst and
second year. Students can also transfer between
many of the GeoSciences programmes in Earth
Sciences and Geography in frst and second year
by choosing an appropriate combination of
courses. Every student has a Personal Tutor to
provide support and advice on course choices
at all levels, and for general pastoral oversight
for all years of the programme.
Field courses form an important component of
teaching at Edinburgh and are a good way of
getting to know staff and fellow students on the
course. As part of the degree programme
students attend three feld courses (each
approximately 10 days long), held during the
summer vacations. There are also opportunities
to arrange scientifc expeditions overseas during
vacations and to spend the third year studying
abroad, as part of the Universitys exchange
programme.
Students are taught by staff who are active
researchers and collaborate with environmental
agencies, government departments and policy
makers in the UK and worldwide.
Can I specialise within Ecological
and Environmental Sciences?
In fourth year it is possible to specialise in
conservation and ecological management or
environmental science; or alternatively maintain
a broad mix of subject choices. Students
choosing to focus on conservation and
ecological management will have an interest in
nature conservation and sustainable
management of the countryside for diverse
objectives. This specialisation is for those who
wish to develop a science-based understanding
of conservation. Graduates can expect
employment in public and private organisations
making policy, giving advice or managing a
wide range of country activities.
Students choosing to focus on environmental
science will develop an interdisciplinary
understanding of the physical, chemical and
biological sciences, through courses offered in
ecology, geology, land use and water resources
and environmental modelling. Recent graduates
have followed careers in environmental
consultancy, conservation, policy advice and
scientifc research.
Ecological and Environmental Sciences
with Management
This degree programme provides the
opportunity for Ecological and Environmental
Sciences students to widen their access to
management courses offered by the Schools of
Business or Economics, or by the College of
Science and Engineering.
Are there any opportunities for
independent research?
The Honours dissertation represents a major
piece of independent research work and lasts
for 8-10 weeks in Semester 2. Many students
fnd this the most challenging, but ultimately
rewarding, part of the course. Every student has
a member of staff as a supervisor and work for
the project normally involves a combination of
feldwork, laboratory work, computing and data
analysis. Projects are selected from a list of
40-50 titles representing the full range of staff
research interests, or students may propose
their own topics.
Examples of recent topics include:
Badger territory size and territory quality in
southern Sweden;
Behavioural responses of predatory
invertebrates to chemical cues from fsh;
Potential for arable land use change in
Scotland as the result of climate change;
The performance of common reed in
wetlands for wastewater treatment;
A comparison of current wind power with
possible solar power developments.
Degrees in Science and Engineering
BSc Honours in:
Ecological and Environmental Sciences
Ecological and Environmental Sciences
with Management
Ecological and
Environmental Sciences
The University of Edinburgh
College of Science and Engineering
April 2014
What is Ecological and Environmental Sciences?
The human population is now more than six billion, and we face
problems of over-exploitation of natural resources, rapid climate
change, loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation. It is impossible
to understand and tackle these issues without a knowledge of
ecology and environmental sciences. In the Ecological and
Environmental Sciences degree programme, natural and managed
ecosystems are investigated from an ecological and environmental
perspective so we can learn from the past, understand the present
and infuence the future. A key outcome is the ability of graduates
to use their powers of observation, analysis and imagination to make
appropriate decisions in situations characterised by change and
uncertainty. To that end, the exercises that students carry out in
their later years are designed to simulate those that ecological and
environmental sciences professionals undertake. We provide a
learning environment in which students can achieve excellence, and
programmes that suit students personal career aims and aspirations.
I chose Ecological and
Environmental Sciences because
of my interest in nature and the
environment, and I chose this
course in particular because of
its broad-based approach to
environmental issues. The
University of Edinburgh was
instrumental in introducing me
to my employer (Scottish
Water) and I found most of the
courses I took were extremely
relevant to my present
employment, both because they
gave me enough knowledge to
start working without having to
spend a long time training, and
because it allowed me to bring
into the workplace new ideas
and knowledge of new research
developments that my employers
found extremely useful
Barbara Barbarito,
BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental
Sciences graduate, now working for Scottish
Water as an Environmental Quality and
Sustainability Advisor
For more
detailed information
on degree structure
and content, please see:
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-
departments/student-
recruitment/publications-
resources/degree-
programmes
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Typical degree curriculum: BSc Honours in Ecological and Environmental Sciences
1
st
Year 2
nd
Year 3
rd
Year 4
th
Year
The frst year has been designed to
provide interest and variety, while at the
same time ensuring that students have
achieved a basic level of understanding
in the mathematics and sciences
required for subsequent years.
Required courses:
Origin and Diversity of Life
Biology, Ecology and Environment
Quantifcation in the Life Sciences 1
Plus further courses to make a total
of six, selected from a wide choice,
including:
Human Geography
Physical Geography
Earth Dynamics
Evolution of the Living Earth
Introductory Chemistry for Biology
Biological Chemistry
Molecules, Genes and Cells
Sustainability, Society and Environment
The second year provides an introduction
to ecology and the physical environment.
Students have considerable choice in the
set of subjects taken to make up the six
required.
Required courses:
Principles of Ecology
Soil, Water and Atmospheric Processes
Field Ecology
Plus further courses to make a total
of six, selected from a wide choice,
including:
Natural Hazards
Meteorology: Weather and Climate
Meteorology: Atmosphere and
Environment
Animal Biology
Genes & Gene Action
Evolution of the Living Earth
Environmental Sensitivity and Change
Evolution in Action
The Green Planet
Oceanography
Economic and Political Geography
The Dynamic Cell
In the third year students enter Junior
Honours. More emphasis is given to the
application of the general scientifc,
ecological and environmental principles
established in the frst two years.
Required courses:
Ecological Measurement
Population and Community Ecology
Ecological and Environmental Analysis
Plus further courses to make a total
of six, selected from a wide choice,
including:
Behavioural Ecology
Environmental Pollution
Evolution and Ecology of Plants
Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics
Natural Resource Management
Marine Systems and Policies
Parasite Biology
Teaching is in the form of specialised
courses assessed by exam and continuous
assessment. Teaching is largely by
seminars, directed reading and individual
or group projects.
Each student completes the Honours
dissertation and the following
courses:
Ecological and Environmental Science
Field Course
Professional Skills in Environmental and
Ecological Sciences
Ecological Science Synoptic Exam
Effective Project Planning and
Management
Plus four courses from a wide range,
including:
Current Issues in Ecology
Instrumentation for Ecological and
Environmental Studies
Molecular Ecology
Land-Atmosphere Interactions
Land Use & Water Resources
Land Use Policy
Marine Systems and Policies
Animal Plant Interaction
Conservation Management
GeoScience Outreach
What sort of teaching and
assessment methods are used?
Every year there are 40-50 graduates in
Ecological and Environmental Sciences. First
year lecture classes are large but, by the fourth
year, teaching is in small groups of 5-20
students. Most courses are assessed by a
mixture of continuous assessment and
examination. In fourth year you complete an
individual Research Project supervised by a
member of staff. Projects can be chosen from a
list or you may devise your own in consultation
with staff. Field courses are an integral part of
the degree programme and give you the
opportunity to get to know students and staff
to create a friendly, close-knit year group.
Are there any opportunities to
study abroad?
Every year Ecological and Environmental
Sciences students take part in the Universitys
International Exchange Scheme. Recently some
students have spent the third year of their
degree studying at universities in the USA
(California), Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
It is also possible to arrange placements in
overseas research institutions during the degree
programme. Ecological and Environmental
Sciences students also organise overseas
scientifc expeditions during the summer
vacations. Recent expeditions have studied frogs
in the Belize rainforest, coral reef decline in
Mexico, and lizards in the cloud forest of Sri Lanka.
What can I do after my degree?
As students of one of the UKs leading centres
for research and teaching in Ecological and
Environmental Sciences, many of our graduates
have become leaders in their feld. Many make
direct use of their degree working in the UK and
overseas for environmental consultants,
environmental regulators, conservation
organisations, the forestry industry and water
companies. They also provide environmental
policy advice for government agencies and
carry out research. Other graduates fnd work in
more general areas, including administration,
teaching, fnance and management. Many of
our students take advantage of worldwide
research links to gain valuable experience
during their vacations that increases their
employability.
What are admissions staff
looking for?
You will fnd our most up to date entry
requirements at: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/
undergraduate/degrees
Students with a good set of Advanced Highers,
A Levels or equivalent qualifcations may be able
to enter directly into the second year of our
courses. This shortens the length of the courses
to that of the equivalent degrees in universities
in the rest of the UK.
How do I fnd out more?
For further information about Ecological and
Environmental Sciences, please contact:
School of GeoSciences
The University of Edinburgh
Crew Building, Kings Buildings
Edinburgh, EH9 3JN
Tel: 0131 650 5430
Email: ecosci@ed.ac.uk
Web: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/
geosciences/undergraduate/ecological-
sciences
I chose Ecological and Environmental Sciences as I was always fascinated by the wild
world around me, but until I came to university I was never able to explore it in depth.
Ecological and Environmental Sciences opened my eyes to see how amazing it really was.
Apart from Edinburgh being a very student-friendly city in every way, it is particularly
good for studying too. There are a wide range of options available to you to start with, for
example in my first year I did outside subjects like Spanish, as well as palaeontology. It is
also a very relaxed atmosphere with great lecturers to guide you all the way
Suraj Goonewardene,
BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences graduate