Bachelor of Arts (BA)

BA Geography with International Study

Join one of the top ten Geography departments in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: LF78 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

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 £31,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Additional expenses

Overseas fieldwork is subsidised by the University but, depending on the location, you may need to contribute to the cost of the trip.

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

We are committed to attracting and supporting the very best students from all backgrounds to study this course.  

You could be eligible for cash bursaries of up to £2,500 to support your studies. 

Find out about our funding opportunities

Course unit details:
Environmental Pollution

Course unit fact file
Unit code GEOG10161
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

This exciting module introduces you to the principles of environmental pollution. We will explore the major types of pollution in air, water and on land. We will think about the impacts and issues posed by environmental pollution. Finally we will reflect on the strategies used to prevent and control environmental pollution.

Aims


• Provide an introduction to environmental pollution 
• Review key concepts in environmental pollution
• Develop an understanding of the causes and effects of pollution
• Build awareness of the strategies used to control and manage pollution
• Place contemporary problems of environmental pollution in a longer-term temporal perspective
• Develop cognitive and analytical skills.
 

Syllabus

  • Environmental pollution: concepts and questions
  • Urban air pollution
  • Trans-boundary air pollution
  • Water pollution
  • Drinking water pollution
  • Solid waste
  • Metal pollution
  • Pesticides
  • Managing environmental pollution

Teaching and learning methods

The course unit is delivered through 10 x 2 hour lecture classes. These will include opportunities for student interaction and discussion. Students are expected to read widely to support the lecture classes and undertake additional support activities indicated for each lecture. Lecture materials, notes and suggestions for independent activities to support the classes (including directed reading) will be signposted on the VLE site.

Knowledge and understanding

  • Describe and explain contemporary pollution issues
  • Describe and explain specific examples of environmental pollution
  • Describe and explain the causes and effects of key types of environmental pollution
  • Evaluate different pollution control strategies

Intellectual skills

  • Evaluate scientific evidence of environmental pollution
  • Abstract and synthesise ideas and information

Practical skills

  • Use literature search skills to identify relevant literature beyond the course recommended reading
  • Demonstrate effective writing skills

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Critically evaluate non-scientific material e.g. media articles

Assessment methods

 

1.5-hour open book exam        Duration: 1.5 hours          Weighting: 100%
 

Written feedback on exam script. Opportunity to discuss with AA early in the following semester. 

 

Formative Assessment

Discussion of key ideas in class and revision of semester in the final lecture class

Feedback will be provided via:
In class discussion.
Verbal feedback through consultation hours.


 

Recommended reading

Selected Readings:

* Hill, M.K. (2020) Understanding Environmental Pollution. 4th edition. Cambridge University Press. Other editions are also suitable. *Key Text.
Elsom, D.M. (1992). Atmospheric pollution: a global problem. Blackwell, Oxford. 
Gray, N.F. (2008). Drinking Water Quality: Problems and Solutions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 
Harrison, R.M. (2006). An Introduction to Pollution Science. Royal Society of Chemistry, London. 
Mason, C.F. (2002). Biology of freshwater pollution. Prentice Hall, Harlow.

Key Journals

Environmental Pollution.
Environmental Science and Policy.
Environmental Science and Technology.
Journal of Environment Management.
Science of the Total Environment. 
Water Air and Soil Pollution.
 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 80

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
James Rothwell Unit coordinator

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