MEnvSci Environmental Science

The practical and field based skills elements within this unit are delivered by a practical day each week; this will allow you to participate in day field courses with up to 4 locations planned that are easily accessible from Manchester such as the university’s own Firs Environmental Research Station, Alderley Edge, the River Bollin and Mam Tor. On campus the practical day will be split into a morning and an afternoon class with each lasting 2.5 hours.  

You will develop fundamental academic and professional skills as natural scientists through individual, small group and large group exercises. You will develop the digital capabilities and the professional and transferable skills that are expected in the modern workplace, including the critical use of digital technology and the creative development and production of material to communicate your findings to an audience.  

The assessment of this unit will be by a practical exam at the end of the semester, the completion of one piece of coursework set by your academic tutor and the completion of a skills portfolio . 

The aims of this unit are to provide hands-on training for the essential practical and field skills necessary for students of natural sciences, focusing particularly on geological, biological, and environmental data that are collected and analysed in laboratory and real world settings and to introduce the transferable and professional skills that are required in the modern world of work. 

1. Demonstrate how to assess risks and hazards in the context of health and safety on the university campus and in the field.
2. Follow laboratory procedures to safely use chemicals and solutions as well as biological and geological samples, these will include weighing, measuring volumes and procedures for the isolation of biological molecules
3. Make and accurately record observations to be able to identify a range of common biological and geological samples by eye and using hand lenses and microscopes (both binocular and petrological)
4. Use a range of digital tools and platforms and applications to achieve complex tasks 
5. Demonstrate competence in accessing and using the Library’s ‘My Learning Essentials’ and the Careers Service’s e-learning facilities.  
6. Write individual and co-authored academic documents (e.g., annotated bibliographies, essays, reports, laboratory and field notebooks and posters) and make oral presentations and defend a position or argument in a seminar environment.
7. Develop proficiency in key academic and professional skills through collaborative working and provide a portfolio of evidence.
8. Reflectively appraise personal development and performance against academic and career development goals.
9. Use hand held atmospheric and chemical measurement instruments to investigate environmental conditions of the atmosphere and hydrosphere including surface water and sediments.
10. Record geological and biological field observations in a field notebook and identify a range of organisms using appropriate keys and handbooks.
11. Interpret geological, biological, atmospheric and water chemistry data in the field to explain the formation and history of locations including analysis of environmental problems.