BSc (Hons)

Environmental Management

3 good reasons to study Environmental Management at Salford:

Learn to guide and manage the way organisations affect the environment and commit to reducing emissions
Optional pathway for Graduate membership of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Develop personal and professional skills in project work or placements in organisations involved with environmental and health management in the UK

Small group teaching is a feature of Environmental Management at Salford and there are strong links between the content of this course and staff research interests. Study and IT skills are embedded in this course, as is the use of computing facilities for data handling, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for environmental mapping and modelling.

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Course details

This course is about understanding science and its interrelationship with the environment. You will learn how organisations perceive the environment and the important considerations necessary for them to invest in improving their performance.

YEAR 1

Year 1 provides a solid foundation across the breadth of the subject, and includes field and laboratory work, study skills development, data handling and interpersonal skills. You take six 20 credit modules in year 1.

Academic skills tutorial (20 credits)

You take a weekly one hour tutorial with a member of academic staff in a group of 6-8 students. The module develops your academic skills and helps you develop your personal and professional skills for study and for work. You will work on a range of geographical/environmental management problems linked to the core first year modules The tutorials involve discussion, debate, and problem-solving, and provide you with a regular forum for monitoring your progress.

Sustainability and environment (20 credits)

You will examine sustainability at local, national and global scales and explore a range of case studies. Sustainability is a concept that cuts across disciplines and provides a framework for managing environmental issues. Project work will allow you to apply your knowledge of the principles of sustainable development to assess and classify real-world problems and suggest solutions.

Earth surface processes (20 credits)

This module provides a broad introduction to the physical processes that take place within the geosphere and biosphere, focussing on those linked to the nature of landforms, global ecosystems and environmental change. You will develop a sound understanding of the inter-relationships between physical environmental processes and human activity, including natural hazards, climate change and biodiversity.

People, place and space (20 credits)

This module examines the role of people in shaping the human environment and focuses on key concepts such as place, power, scale and networks. You will learn about how the shape and form of cities is influenced by social and political issues, and how new technologies are changing the nature of human interactions in cities, states and across the world.

Environmental resources (20 credits)

Environmental resources include food, energy and water. Spatial and temporal variation in the availability of these resources is arguably the most important issue for society in the twenty first century. This module introduces energy and water resources as fundamental themes in resources management and examines current problems related to climate change, food security and pollution.

Fieldwork and applied skills (20 credits)

The first part of this module provides you with the applied skills to manage and analyse data using descriptive statistics, inference, graphs, hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression. It also introduces information searching and retrieving skills, data presentation and report writing. The second part of the module involves a residential field course in the UK where you will collect, analyse and present data to put into practice what you have learned.

YEAR 2

Year 2 extends both your knowledge and understanding and increases your specialization. You take three core modules oriented around knowledge and skills development, and choose three additional modules on subjects of interest to you. The course includes fieldwork and site visits to enhance your learning.

Research skills and tutorial (20 credits)

This module equips with you with the range of research skills relevant for further study and the workplace, and prepares you for your final year Dissertation. You will learn about the research process, the nature of scientific writing, research design, risk assessment and ethical considerations, and how to write a research proposal. The work is supported by fortnightly small-group tutorials with a member of academic staff.

Consultancy project (20 credits)

This innovative module supports the development of personal and professional skills. You will carry out a group-based project for an external client and learn about team work, project planning and time management. You will work with an academic advisor to write a project plan, allocate tasks to the team, carry out an investigation, and report the results to the client.

Fieldwork and off-site visits (20 credits)

This module provides an opportunity for you to conduct fieldwork and site visits to support the modules that you study in second year. It is an opportunity for you to practice the research and professional skills developed in other modules and to benefit from experiential learning and interactions with professionals working in a range of settings.

Occupational safety and health (20 credits)

This module examines occupational health and safety legislation in a range of contexts including those involving public safety. It explores the concepts and principles of controlling risks to workers, assessing and controlling risks leading to, and the legislation and guidance designed to control workplace risks.

Choose 2 options from:

Earth observation and GIS (20 credits)

This module introduces the theory and practice of acquiring environmental data using global positioning systems, aerial photography and satellite remote sensing. It develops practical skills in the use of geographical information systems (GIS) that can be deployed in projects, dissertations and work. The module promotes hands-on learning, using state-of-the-art mapping software and mapping technologies.

Monitoring environmental change (20 credits)

This module combines fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and computer-based mapping and modelling, to explore ways to monitor environmental change in a range of environments. It covers both biotic and abiotic targets and critically examines the nature, quality and reliability of environmental data.

Environmental protection (20 credits)

This module is designed to introduce the state’s role as a protector of the environment, and to identify factors influencing environmental policy and law in the UK. You will explore the relationships between regulatory frameworks and environmental standards, and critically assess case studies relating to the nuclear sector, contaminated land, and air quality management.

Food safety (20 credits)

You will study the causes of food-borne disease and investigate the processes of food deterioration and the application of food technologies for food preservation. The environmental, economic and political factors that influence the development of food safety management systems are examined; laboratory work enables development of food inspection skills.

YEAR 3

In your final year you undertake a research project for your Dissertation and select four modules to study. Field courses are aligned with the specialist modules and include UK-based one day and residential trips, and overseas fieldwork opportunities in the French Alps and beyond.

Dissertation (40 credits)

The Dissertation is a key feature of the course providing you with an opportunity to undertake a challenging independent research project with guidance of a member of academic staff. Your research topic is defined in second year and in third year you focus on data analysis, data interpretation and report writing. The module fine-tunes your research skills and provides you with a wide range of skills that may deployed in further study or the workplace.

Choose 4 options from:

Environmental Geographical Information Systems (20 credits)

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and understanding of the factors controlling the design, and implementation of GIS solutions to map, monitor and model terrestrial environments. You will also examine the major issues and impacts of GIS evolution and diffusion on society.

Environmental Remote Sensing (20 credits)

This module will develop your understanding of the principles of remote sensing and the issues associated with applying remote sensing data to solve real-world problems. It will expose you to a range of remotely sensed data and help you to develop a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of methodologies that employ such data.

Environmental decision making (20 credits)

This module examines the role of decision-making in the management of natural resources and ecosystem services. You will investigate the role of environmental modelling in supporting environmental decision-making and assess the effectiveness of decision-making tools including Environmental Impact Assessment, hazard and risk analysis, and life-cycle analysis.

Corporate environmental management (20 credits)

This module provides an insight into, and conceptual knowledge of, contemporary techniques for environmental management applicable to private, public and voluntary sector enterprises. You will examine the drivers for, and barriers to, progressive environmental management in business together with techniques for incorporating environmental policy objectives into business models of sustainable development.

Environment, health and wellbeing (20 credits)

This module explores the relationships between human health and environment and the epidemiology and geographical distribution of disease. You will assess the availability and accessibility of health services and their influence on ‘well-being’ in communities and explore and evaluate principles and techniques for health promotion.

Public health intervention (20 credits)

You will study local, national and international strategies for addressing public health challenges. The module examines EU and UK regulatory frameworks for occupational safety and health, food safety, and public health interventions in public and private organizations, including the housing sector. You will investigate the effectiveness of techniques for ensuring regulatory compliance and assess their strengths and weaknesses.

Course Enquiries

For course enquiries please call us on:

T: +44 (0) 161 295 4545

Or Email us at:

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E: enquiries@salford.ac.uk

International students
E: international@salford.ac.uk