BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography and Outdoor Education Bachelor's degree at the University of Stirling

The overall aim of Building Planet Earth (ENVU1BP) is to introduce you to geology. In doing so, you’ll gain a unique insight into how the Earth formed over billions of years. You’ll be introduced to the physical and geological processes have produced the planet that we live on today. Teaching will examine rock forming processes, plate tectonics, the evolution of life and the fossil record and geo-resources. Teaching materials will include cases studies of geological formations from across the planet and the module culminates in introducing you to the varied and interesting geology of Scotland. This module will introduce you to field data collection and the skill of field observations, record

Understanding why and how science is conducted are fundamental elements providing the foundations for a successful science career. From theory to practice, a thorough appreciation of the importance of integrity and developing the scientific method are essential for unravelling questions and addressing real-world situations. Cross-divisional teaching from experts within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and central Student Learning Services will focus on structuring and assessing science questions, data collection, analysis and interpretation, best practice in how to maintain integrity and maximising the impact of your science work. Coupled with practical experience on effective science teamwor

Being able to safely navigate and operate effectively in mountainous areas is a fundamental requirement for outdoor education. In this module, you’ll be taught the basic skills and competencies required to equip you with the ability to independently gain hill walking experience. You'll develop an understanding of: mountain navigation skills; weather, access legislation and competing land use issues; the landscape - ecology, geology, and morphology. This module will also prepare you for the mountain or lowland leader training course, which you will complete as part of Mountain Leader Training (EOEU3OE), and will equip you with the ability to gain Quality Mountain Days (QMDs) as defined by Mou

This module is an introduction to the science of landscapes – sometimes called 'geomorphology'. You’ll explore the fundamental processes, in the air, in the water, and on land, responsible for shaping the Earth's surface and making it look the way it does. You’ll learn about how we measure and characterise the Earth's different landscapes, how they have evolved in the past and how they will change in the future. You’ll gain fundamental insights into land-forming processes – their drivers, inter-relationships, complexities and rates of change – in order to better understand the natural and man-made changes that are affecting our increasingly populated planet. In this module you’ll explore: ho

The interactions between people and planet are becoming increasingly complex. This module introduces key global environmental challenges by examining their underlying scientific principles, the impacts of human activities, and potential solutions, while also developing core analytical and numerical skills. In GEOU2PP, the environment is examined as a holistic, interconnected system, with particular emphasis on sustainability and patterns of human resource use. The module covers four key thematic areas: * introductory climate concepts; * global water resource management; * air quality and pollution; * food security and challenges. Across these themes, you will investigate the relationships be

This module introduces you to some of the underpinning theories and concepts in contemporary outdoor education in its many guises. In addition, a brief history of outdoor education will be covered, mainly to enable you to see how current practice has evolved to this point. Considerable effort has been made to make the learning as practical and experiential as possible (which after all is the essence of outdoor learning), therefore, a number of field trips have been organised, to a Primary School and other outdoor/ environmental education centres. You’ll obtain skills in: planning and delivering activities with children at a local primary school; group management; developing and reflecting on

Biogeography follows an ecological and evolutionary approach to understand the spatial and temporal changes in the distribution of species. The module will explore the role of geology, physical geography, and climate in creating new forms and patterns of life. Through this module, you’ll achieve a comprehensive understanding of our planet’s biota. It travels from the challenges of existing on planet Earth through to the Anthropocene and the biodiversity crisis. The module will also provide opportunities for you to develop your generic skills in analysing spatial and temporal ecological data. In this module, you’ll learn how biota live together in communities and ecosystems, the geographical

The Mountain and Lowland Leader schemes are designed for people who want to lead groups in the mountains, hills, lowlands and moorlands of the UK and Ireland. If you love being out in the mountains and want to share your enthusiasm with others, become a Mountain or Lowland Leader and you’ll never look back. Mountain and Lowland Leaders operate the length and breadth of the country with all sorts of groups of people; from Scouts and schoolchildren to outdoor instructors and OAPs. The qualification is what you make it and there are countless opportunities for passionate Outdoor Leaders. This course uses a range of teaching methods including direct training and interpretation of the national co

Fieldwork and the collection of accurate field data lies at the heart of environmental geography and environmental science. Fieldwork provides a direct experience of the diverse landscapes, life and people on Earth enabling us to integrate space, place and the environment. In this module you will visit coastal, fluvial, urban, upland and peatland environments. In each of these landscapes you will explore the process that form the physical landscape as well as consider the evidence for environmental change in the past, present and future. Undertaking fieldwork and field-based learning provides unique opportunities to develop your understanding of the links between scientific theory and practi

This module seeks to develop you in different roles as a director, educator, and communicator in a group or situation management environment. It will give you a good understanding of the relevant legal obligations and legislation when working with young people and adults in an outdoor space and understand why accidents occur, how to manage them when they do, and how best to avoid them in the first place. You’ll examine both what to do if things go wrong in the outdoors, but much more importantly how to prevent it from going wrong in the first place. This is primarily about problem avoidance, not problem-solving. This module is only available to those taking the following degrees; Environment

Resilience or the ability to resist, adapt or recover from changes driven by biophysical and human disturbances is a fundamental characteristic of the natural environment. Environmental Resilience is a core Physical Geography module where we will explore how different geomorphological and environmental properties, processes and feedback mechanisms contribute to the resilience of landscapes and landforms. You’ll also explore the ways that they are impacted by increasing human pressures on the environment and a rapidly changing climate. In this module you’ll learn about: key concepts in resilience theory and landscape change; a range of biophysical and environmental processes that determine th

Statistical techniques are fundamental for addressing quantitative questions and making inferences from data. Consequently, statistical tools are indispensable for addressing questions across the natural and social sciences. In this module, you’ll learn the following important skills for working with environmental and biological datasets: How to manipulate datasets and characterise their statistical properties. Understanding and applying null hypothesis testing. Applying the correct statistical test to data using statistical software. Interpreting the results of statistical tests to make conclusions about scientific problems. By developing an understanding of statistics, you will become bett

This module explores how environmental policies are formed, implemented, and contested, with a particular emphasis on the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. Drawing on a range of case studies, such as climate change, sustainable energy transitions, water governance, and food system resilience, you will assess the effectiveness of different policies and consider their successes and limitations in practice. You will explore: the processes, challenges, and limitations involved in designing and implementing public policies on environmental issues; key concepts and debates in environmental politics, including power relations, equity, and governance; the roles of governments, citizens, NGOs, business

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are the methods and tools for creating, managing, analysing and visualising spatial data (i.e. data that can be tied to a specific location on the surface of the Earth). GIS is widely used in natural and social sciences to understand and solve spatial questions and problems. By explicitly considering the spatial location of events or phenomena we can often learn new relationships, patterns, and trends that are not discoverable through simple statistical methods. Being such powerful problem-solving and decision-making tools, GIS skills are highly sought by businesses, government or non-governmental bodies, and in academia. GIS is an expected and defining s

This module will take you on a journey to discover the world under our feet: soils. You'll first look at what soils are made of, how they are formed and structured, what lives in soils, and what key processes are driven by soils. You'll explore the critical role of plant-soil interactions in driving soil communities and ecosystem functioning, and how soils vary in different ecosystems at global scale. Furthermore, you'll examine the response of soils to the diversity of global changes and explore the central role of soils in delivering key ecosystem services for humanity and achieving the UNs sustainable development goals (SDGs). This module takes a research-based approach to learning and a

The aim of this module is to consider strategies for sustainable water management with a particular focus on water quality issues linked to surface waters, drinking water and wastewater treatment. Political, economic, social, technological and environmental considerations of managing water resources will be covered as you explore water and sanitation management at different spatial and temporal scales and draw on case study examples and applied content from industry, regulator, campaign organisation and academic perspectives. In this module you will: evaluate strengths and limitations of water resource management at different spatial and temporal scales; explore linkages between different wa

In this module, you’ll gain practical work experience by undertaking a placement with a range of employers relevant to the outdoor education industry. These employers span the full range of related industry fields, from outdoor education instruction and teaching, through to environmental education and environmental management. You will, therefore, gain an awareness of what work is about, and the skills and competencies that they require and managing your time. As well as gaining valuable work experience, you’ll increase your soft skills, gain confidence in a range of social situations, particularly communication to a range of different people, as well as practical and decision-making skills

The Earth's climate is currently undergoing significant and rapid change with important consequences for the global environment and human habitation. Ice sheets and glaciers are not only sensitive barometers of this change they also control sea levels and affect the global water budget. In this module we will explore the nature, extent and timing of past and present ice-sheet and glacier changes and their impact on the ocean, atmosphere and landscape. In doing so we will seek to better understand the mechanisms and responses of ice-masses to future environmental change. In this module you will: explore and understand the different types of ice mass and their impact on the landscape; consider

The Scotland Field Course is an intensive, rewarding and highly valued experience for Environmental Geography and Environmental Science students to carry out fieldwork in a dynamic environment - the UNESCO NW Highlands Geopark. Field research skills are an essential component of any Environmental Geography degree and highly relevant for delivering several UN Sustainable Development Goals. This module builds on essential physical geography knowledge and understanding gained in Years 1 and 2 and provides a unique opportunity to study geological, geomorphological and environmental processes at work in the dynamic and iconic landscape of the Northwest Highlands. The Scotland Field Course runs as

The ability to analyse complex data is a vital skill in a scientist's toolbox, whether working with experimental or observational data. This module introduces data analysis in the framework of linear modelling using the open-access R software. It will develop your skills in R coding for data manipulation, visualisation and statistical analysis, giving you coding skills that are in demand by employers and useful for future studies. It will also develop your ability to confidently choose appropriate methods for analysing data, which will be especially useful for your dissertation projects. No previous experience of R is needed, as this will be covered in the course, though students will ideall

The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical background in the environmental and socio-cultural issues associated with sustainable development. The module focuses on countries in the developing world, where access to cutting edge modern technology is inhibited by cost. In these situations, ‘low tech’ green solutions are increasingly important for self-sufficiency, and we will explore the practicality and efficiency of such technologies for achieving sustainability in water security and sanitation, food security and agriculture, and the generation of energy. In doing so, we gain a broad understanding of how global environmental problems, and global health challenges, can be tackle

Plants and photosynthetic organisms form the basis of life on the planet, and humans depend on the sustainable exploitation of plant resources from crops to natural ecosystems. In this Plant Ecology module you will explore the ecology and evolution of plant life on land from the organismal level to the global landscape. Among other topics, you'll explore how: plants adapt to new environments; plants interact with pollinators and predators; how plant populations respond to ecological challenges including those imposed by humans; how global processes are mediated by plant communities. We will draw from a range of scientific fields including population ecology and conservation to evolutionary b

As we transition to a net zero carbon future, we need to ensure that new developments in our environment are built, maintained, and removed in a way that avoids, reduces, or offsets any adverse environmental impacts. In this module, you will explore some of the diverse ways our landscapes are used in supporting our transition to net zero, with a specific focus on wind farms and forestry. You will also learn about the use of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to reduce human impacts at these sites. You will: learn about different sustainable land uses, including renewable energies and forests learn about EIAs and why they are important; design scoping surveys and the methods and criteria

In recent decades, we have witnessed the effects of anthropogenic activities on the planet’s natural resources. Now more than ever, challenges such as climate change and the biodiversity crisis need to be faced and solutions found. In this module you will learn about conservation biology that is the applied science of maintaining the Earth biological diversity. We will also look at how conservation science works in practice when seeking to reverse the biodiversity decline, control emerging threats, recover threatened species and ecosystems, and maintain intact habitats. Case studies will be given by guest lecturers working in the sector. In this module you will: identify the main issues in m

The observations provided by satellites placed in orbit above the Earth have become an invaluable source of data for monitoring our environment. The latest generation of spaceborne sensors have the ability to image the entire surface of Earth at resolutions from a few kilometres to less than a metre and at timescales that range from a few days to a few minutes. These observations provide insights into the Earth system that we simply cannot obtain through other means and as such the data has become invaluable to scientists concerned with understanding patterns and processes of global environmental change. The aim of this module is to provide you with an introduction to the fundamental princip

We are in a time of unprecedented global change which requires novel solutions to tackle environmental challenges, inclusive of local communities. Understanding global environmental challenges is an important part of science degree programmes. However, conceptualising these global challenges in novel environments can be difficult. Experiencing different environments first hand provides the opportunity to engage with some of these challenges and develop critical thinking given the context within which these issues are occurring. This international field course will provide field experience and practical interdisciplinary learning in novel environments unavailable in the UK. Undertaking fieldw

At the core of this module lies a five-day course that formally and practically assesses you in the skills required for leading groups on mountainous terrain anywhere in the UK. Moreover, this course assesses the practical aspects and techniques of: advanced navigation; emergency rope work; security on steep ground; mountain hazards such as water and weather; expedition and camping skills; accident and emergency procedures; access and the environment; group leadership; party management; legal responsibilities. Over the five-day period the course carefully follows the Scottish Mountain Leader (SML) assessment syllabus which, upon a pass grade, you’ll receive an approved assessment course endo

Natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and landslides are a common occurrence, but environmental hazards don't in themselves create a disaster. Despite this, every year, people die, homes are destroyed and economies are impacted by environmental disasters. In this module, you’ll learn about the complex interaction of environmental, social and political factors that can make individuals and communities vulnerable and result in an environmental hazard becoming a disaster. You’ll also explore how vulnerability to environmental hazards can be reduced in order to reduce disaster risk. You’ll study in detail some of the key environmental hazards including volcanoes, earthquakes, wi

The Honours dissertation project runs through your entire final year and allows you to carry out an original piece of scientific research on a subject of your choice covering contemporary biological and environmental sciences. This is your opportunity to do some independent in-depth analysis on a topic that most excited you during your undergrad studies. During the project you'll have the guidance and advice of a dedicated supervisor. This module covers the start of your honours project and ensures that you have submitted your project for ethical approval, you have reviewed the relevant literature, and you have a project plan to put you on the pass to successfully complete your final dissert

The Hons dissertation is a project that runs through your entire final year and allows you to carry out an original piece of scientific research on a subject of your choice, covering contemporary environmental and biological sciences. This is your opportunity to do some independent in-depth analysis on a topic that most excited you during your undergrad studies. During the project you’ll have the guidance and advice of a dedicated supervisor. In the autumn semester's Biological and Environmental Sciences Honours Project Start (SCIU9PS), you'll have reviewed the scientific literature to identify your research aims and objectives. You'll have proceeded with planning your research (including ob