Environmental Science
Environmental science is concerned with understanding the Earth's physical systems and the ways in which human activity interacts with and alters them. It draws on the natural sciences, including geography, ecology, chemistry and physics, alongside social science perspectives, to address questions about climate, biodiversity, land use, water systems, pollution and resource management. The discipline develops scientists who can analyse complex, dynamic environmental processes and communicate their findings to inform decision-making at every level.
At the University of Dundee, this four-year programme develops your expertise in dynamic physical systems and the processes that govern them, as well as their interactions with human systems. You will study the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, developing quantitative and field-based skills for monitoring and analysing environmental change. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study environmental science at an international partner institution and engage with environmental challenges and research traditions in a different context.
Dundee's location in Scotland provides access to a diverse range of natural environments for field study, from river systems and upland landscapes to coastal and marine settings.
Environmental science graduates are in demand across a wide range of organisations concerned with understanding and managing the natural world. Common career destinations include environmental consultancy, government agencies, conservation organisations, research institutions and international bodies working on climate, biodiversity and sustainability. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in environmental science, ecology, climate science or related fields, or pursue professional training in areas such as environmental law, planning or international development.
The combination of scientific rigour and awareness of human systems that the degree develops is particularly valuable in the growing field of evidence-based environmental policy.