- UCAS course code
- F904
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Early clearing information
This course is available through clearing for home and international applicants
If you already have your exam results, meet the entry requirements, and are not holding an offer from a university or college, then you may be able to apply to this course.
Contact the admissions team
Master of Environmental Science (MEnvSci)
MEnvSci Environmental Science with Industrial Experience
Tackle some of humanity's most critical issues at a top 5 UK university for Environmental Science (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024)
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: F904 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Industrial experience
Scholarships available
Field trips
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBB/ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £35,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and the Department funding pages .
Course unit details:
The Natural Scientist's Toolkit
| Unit code | EART11200 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 40 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
In the Natural Scientists Toolkit you will increase your confidence in mathematics and physical sciences. There are three parts to the unit, covering: (1) maths and physics problem solving, to analyse real world problems like the burning of fossil fuels, and to learn to handle geological and environmental data; (2) chemistry of the earth and environment, addressing basic chemical concepts and how they apply to topics such as water chemistry and geological processes; (3) how to program a computer to solve problems in earth and environmental sciences. The Toolkit supplements the other first year lecture and practical units, and equips you with the skills you will need for 2nd year and beyond.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding the Earth | EART11100 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Practical and Professional Skills Development | EART11300 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The aim of the Natural Scientists Toolkit is to increase your confidence in numerical problem solving, digital tools and the use of the physical sciences in the study of earth and environmental sciences.
Learning outcomes
On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
ILO1 - practice the application of key concepts in maths, physics and chemistry, including manipulating logarithms, rearranging equations, algebra, statistics, basic calculus, geometry, and atomic and molecular structure.
ILO2 - apply mathematical theory to describe real-world example problems.
ILO3 - use calculus to solve ordinary and partial differential equations by separation of variables, and to arrive at approximate solutions using finite-difference.
ILO4 - interpret the geochemical behaviour of elements based on their place in the Periodic Table.
ILO5 - explain how radiogenic and stable isotopes are used to interpret the age of rocks and geochemical processes.
ILO6 - show how chemical reactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere combine to form geochemical cycles.
ILO7 - explain how frequentist statistical thinking is applied in the context of hypothesis testing.
ILO8 - identify predictor and response variables and major data types (categorical and numerical, including continuous, discrete and binary), and with access to references select appropriate statistical tests for analysing each type of data.
ILO9 - apply basic statistical tests (t-tests, ANOVA, chi-squared tests, linear regression, logistic regression, mixed regression) to data.
ILO10 - apply modern computer programming concepts to deal with data, and model fundamental problems in science.
ILO11 - Synthesise results, visualise data and critically evaluate different methods for solving real-world problems.
Syllabus
SEMESTER 1
Maths and Physics: Basics
- Week 6: M&P (Basics) Summative online test
Maths and Physics: Statistics
Chemistry of the Earth
- Week 6: Chemistry Formative online test
SEMESTER 2
Maths and Physics: Calculus
Computer Programming
Teaching and learning methods
Semester 1:
Each week there will be two 1-hour lectures and two 2-hour practicals. Lectures are either recorded and made available on Canvas as videos, and/or podcasts of lectures are provided. Powerpoint slides of each lecture are also made available on Canvas. Practical sessions include problem-solving exercises, and the second part of the semester will be held in a computer cluster. Formative assessments will be provided, and feedback on these assessments will be available to the students after completion. For the maths and physics module, assessment comprises of an online mid-semester assessment (Basics) and end of semester (January) exam (Statistics). For the chemistry module, there is a formative online test mid-semester, with the summative assessment consisting of an exam in January.
Semester 2:
In most weeks there will be two 1-hour lectures and two 2-hour practicals. Lectures are either recorded and made available on Canvas as videos, and/or podcasts of lectures are provided. Powerpoint slides of each lecture are also made available on Canvas. For the Maths & Physics module (Calculus), summative assessment consists of an exam in the end-of-semester exam period. The programming module will be delivered through a 1-hour lecture and a 2-hour practical in weeks 1-10, followed by just the 2-hour practical in weeks 10-12 where students can work on their chosen assignment. On that, we will provide continuous formative assessments before a combined programming exercise and written report is submitted at the end of semester, based on examples from weeks 4-8.
Assessment methods
Assessment type | % Weighting within unit | Hand out and hand in dates | Length
| How, when and what feedback is provided | ILO tested |
Online Test (M&P: Basics) | 12 | Semester 1 Week 6 | 1.5 hours | Feedback in class and on Canvas | 1,2 |
| Online Exam (M&P: Statistics) (Invigilated computer cluster) | 13
| Semester 1 January exam period | 2 hours | Exam feedback session | 2, 7-11 |
Online Test (Chem) (Invigilated computer cluster) | 0 | Semester 1 Week 6 | 1 hour | In class and on Canvas (formative assessment) | 1 and 4 |
Online Exam (Chem) (Invigilated computer cluster) | 25 | Semester 1 January exam period | 2 hours | Exam feedback session | 1, 4-6 |
| Exam (M&P: Calculus) | 25 | Semester 2 exam period | 2 hours | Exam feedback given | 1,2,3 |
Code submission (Programming) | 12 | Semester 2, week 12 | Submission of code to solve problem [check works] | Written feedback given | 10, 11 |
Report Individual (Programming) | 13 | Semester 2, week 12 | Report associated with related code | Written feedback given | 10,11 |
Recommended reading
Foundation Maths, Anthony Croft and Robert Davison, Pearson / Prentice Hall, Fourth Edition.
Engineering Mathematics K.A. Stroud and Dexter J. Booth
Conceptual Integrated Science, Hewitt, Lyons, Suchocki and Yeh, Pearson / Prentice Hall.
Consider a spherical cow: A course in environmental problem solving, John Harte. University science books, 1988.
Engineering Mathematics Paperback by K. a Stroud, Palgrave Macmillan; 4th ed edition (1995)
Geochemistry. White, W. W. (2013) Wiley-Blackwell, p. 668
Introduction to geochemistry: principles and application. Misra K. C. (2012) Wiley-Blackwell, p 452
Geochemistry: Pathways and Processes, McSween H. Y. and Richardson S. M. (2003) Columbia University Press, 2nd Edition, p 432.
Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming. No Starch Press
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 40 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 86 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 274 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Rhian Jones | Unit coordinator |