Environmental Science with Hazards and Disasters BSc (Hons)
Why choose this course?
What are the causes of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods and landslides? How do we plan for them, lessen their impact and handle the emergencies that can result?
This course examines the physical science of natural hazards, the social factors that can contribute to disasters, emergency planning and disaster risk reduction (DRR). You'll gain expertise in a range of practical and field techniques through ‘real-world' exercises.
Guest speakers come from a variety of DRR organisations, provide first-hand learning opportunities and introduce you to potential career paths.
| Attendance | UCAS code/apply | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years full time | F820 | 2023 |
| 4 years full time including foundation year | F821 | 2023 |
| 4 years full time including sandwich year | F822 | 2023 |
| 6 years part time | Apply direct to the University | 2023 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
- The subject is brought to life through overseas fieldwork at locations susceptible to hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes.
- The course is highly practical and you'll work alongside hazard practitioners in fields such as floods and volcanoes.
Studying at the Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Dr Stuart Downward talks about what you can expect from studying here:
Accreditation
This course is accredited by Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). IEMA is the professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability. This course entitles students to FREE student membership for the duration of the course and on successful completion you qualify for GradIEMA. Graduate membership is a launchpad for future leaders within environment and sustainability and offers a range of benefits to support you throughout your career. You can then "Fast track" to Practitioner Membership.
The degree apprenticeship route is accredited by the IEMA.
What you will study
As a pathway of the Environmental Science BSc(Hons) the Hazards and Disasters pathway focuses on the key themes of natural hazard science, disaster management and emergency planning.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3/4
Year 1 provides a broad understanding of earth sciences, the environment and natural hazards. You'll study the building blocks of the environmental science including geology and hydrological, atmospheric and ecological systems. You'll also study modules in Geographical Information Science (GIS) and explore a variety of research and fieldwork methods.
Core modules
Digital Earth and Spatial Analysis
30 credits
Digital Earth: Spatial Analysis introduces and develops the fundamental geographical skills of data collection, analysis and presentation and the solving of spatial problems using GIS. It concerns data types, representations of reality and key spatial analysis techniques. GIS-based skills are important employability skills for geography and environment students with many course-relevant employers requiring a working knowledge of GIS and the application of GIS to solve real world geographical and environmental challenges. Digital literacy employability skills will be introduced and developed in this module and the module will provide a baseline for those taking GG5155 Cartography, Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis at Level 5 and GG6140 GIS: Transforming Geography and Environment at Level 6.
Introduction to Physical Geography and Environmental Hazards
30 credits
This is a Level 4 module for Geography and Environmental Science students. Core lectures introduce key fundamental topics in physical geography, overviewing the various spheres of the Earth, associated processes and interaction.
Themes are presented systematically as a cross-section of the Earth's physical structure: geological underpinning, Earth surface processes (introducing geomorphology, the pedosphere and hydrosphere), the atmosphere, and the biosphere. Interwoven within these topics will be lectures on associated environmental hazards, including geophysical hazards (e.g. volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis), atmospheric hazards (including hurricanes and tornadoes) and environmental and ecological hazards (including oil spills, mine contamination and wildfires). The processes behind these major natural and man-made environmental hazards will be described, with reasons provided for their occurrence and global spatial distribution. Detailed case studies will be provided for each hazard, from a variety of geographical regions, in order to build a portfolio of examples, enhancing your knowledge of the processes, impacts and means of forecasting and mitigating against the hazards becoming disasters.
The module is a pre-requisite for Level 5 environmental and geographical modules: Geomorphology and Geophysical Hazards; Land Water and the Environment; Ecology and Conservation. The module introduces you to the application of geophysical knowledge and skills and potential discipline-related employment opportunities and alerts you to a range of transferable employability skills that will be developed throughout the module. These include discipline-based skills by identifying applications of geophysical knowledge to real world challenges and transferable skills developed in the learning activities and related assessments.
Understanding the Environment
30 credits
This is a Level 4 module for Environment Science students. The module will investigate basic environmental principles, introduce environmental systems and identify and understand how physical and human processes can promote change in environmental systems at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Students will investigate the impacts of environmental change, understand their significance and show how this knowledge can be applied to the management of environmental challenges. The importance of a holistic approach to problem solving in the environmental sciences will be introduced along with material on key underpinning scientific disciplines including environmental chemistry and ecology through the investigation of global habitats. Environmental sustainability will be examined and debated within a broader sustainable development setting and students will define and debate anticipated 21st Century environmental challenges and the application of Environmental Science to these challenges. A range of employability skills will be emphasised throughout the module curriculum and students will be challenged to consider and articulate how their environmental knowledge and skills learning development can be applied to real world environmental problems.
Research and Fieldwork Methods
30 credits
This is a module for all Level 4 Geography and Environmental Science students. The module introduces a range of generic and discipline specific research and fieldwork methods. Students are introduced to their course learning aims and identify their learning targets from Induction to graduation and their alignment to their learning pathway. Students are tutored in a range of learning techniques (e.g. critical thinking and communication skills) and are introduced to assessment for learning and the role of feedback, reflection and feedforward as an integrated part of their learning journey. Students are introduced to a range of research methods that form the basis of successful investigations in their subject areas, including research design, information acquisition, qualitative and quantitative analysis and critical interpretation.
Year 2 develops the theory and practice of disaster risk reduction. You'll enhance your knowledge of GIS, geomorphology, atmospheric science and tectonic hazards. An overseas trip will provide the opportunity to develop your fieldwork skills.
Core modules
Rivers, Oceans and Atmospheres
30 credits
This module explores the physical science of Earth's hydrosphere and the atmosphere, key processes and principles, and associated hazards. Through a sculpted narrative, the module will take students on an explorative journey of physical processes, from the source of river systems, through the upper, middle and lower river courses, to the varied river mouth environments and out onto the continental shelf and deep oceans. After learning about the deep oceans, ocean circulation and ocean heat transport, the curriculum will transition naturally into learning about the atmosphere, atmospheric heat transport, wind patterns and how oceanic and atmospheric processes are coupled.
Design and Management of Environmental Projects
30 credits
This module is core for all Level 5 Environmental Science students and forms a bridge between Level 4 GG4090 Research and Fieldwork Methods and Level 6 GG6400 Research Project.
1) Students design, manage and execute an environmental science or environmental hazards research project in a 'real-life' field-based setting. Students are tutored in aspects of research design: defining research questions, research philosophy and appropriate methodologies. Students learn practical aspects of research design such as logistical considerations of time and budget limitations as well as data archiving (including digital and mobile technology) and location-based analysis. They will design and manage a field-based research project in a UK and/or overseas setting.
2) A Personal Tutorial System (PTS) will run in parallel to the taught elements of the module whereby students will integrate and develop their learning from this module to the wider academic and professional/workplace context. The PTS will emphasise key employability skills that will be acquired through the production of the research projects and their relationship to employability skills in other Level 5 modules. This will assist those students wishing to take a sandwich year and prepare those students and provide a development platform for the production of an independent research proposal. On completion of this module, students will have gained first-hand experience of research project design and management as a pre-cursor to their Level 6 Independent Research Project and/or work placement
3) Students will learn how to collect, manipulate and interpret statistical environmental data and apply this learning to their project-based investigations.
Disaster Risk Reduction
30 credits
This module is a Level 5 module for Geography students and Environmental Science, Hazards and Disasters students. The module introduces the key theories and concepts in disasters studies which underpin changing approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The relationship between evolving theories and practice are explored. The policies which shape disaster response are examined at a variety of scales from international to local. Employability skills and the transferability of acquired knowledge to the workplace environment are introduced and developed. These include the roles of key stakeholders and stakeholder engagement and the concepts and challenges involved in communicating effectively. The impacts of these influences are explored through a number of case studies which explore both developed and developing world examples of DRR in action across a variety of hazard types.dies.
Geomorphology and geophysical hazards
30 credits
This module presents a series of thematic taught sessions overviewing major geomorphological processes and landforms, sedimentary environments and geophysical hazards. The module builds upon foundations of GG4080 Introducing Physical Geography and Environmental Hazards. On completion of the module you will gain a detailed understanding of the major surface processes and their geomorphological significance and will be able to interpret a range of sedimentary environments. Module themes will reflect on likely hazards linked to geomorphological processes, including floods, coastal change (including impacts of sea-level change on coastal environments), slope stability, geological controls on geomorphology such as fault movement and associated and sediments (and sedimentary structures) created by events such as tsunamis and ash falls.
The module emphasises the mastery of geomorphological skills through experiential learning closely associated to core lecture delivery. The practical programme will aid you in evaluating key geomorphological concepts, learning and testing analytical techniques. Fieldwork programme provides an arena for applying new skills and knowledge gained and provides a learning bridge to those wishing to pursue physical geographical and/or hazards based research projects at Level 6.
The modules in Year 3 further develop your knowledge of disaster management, with an emphasis on recent case studies. You'll also research and engage with practising professionals in all areas of disaster management.
Core modules
GIS Transforming Geography and Environment
30 credits
This module has a twin focus on changes that have impacted on Geography and Environment over recent decades and how these have created opportunities for geographical and spatial investigation to address an expanding range of applications. Information technology, in particular GIS, is one of the major drivers of change and this module explores the application of GIS in a range of domains encompassing socio-demographic, economic, political, environmental, natural and anthropogenic hazard events.
The Challenge of Climate Change
30 credits
This is a core Level 6 module for all Environmental Science and Environmental Science, Disasters and Management Students. This module tackles the key issues relating to climate change in the three main subject areas of science, policy and society. It aims to provide you with an understanding of the key concepts and processes of climate change and the various ways in which societies can respond. Core factual material is provided via Canvas with keynote lectures, seminars and workshops used to explain concepts. Fieldwork sessions are designed to complement the lecture series and give further practical demonstration of policy and practice complexities.
Research Project
30 credits
The module is core to those on the geographical and environmental courses. It provides experience in the design, execution and preparation of an independent but approved programme of research. Furthermore, through the Personal Tutorial System (PTS) it encourages you to employ reflective learning techniques and to develop a variety of level-appropriate employability skills by engaging with their research project as a piece of academic research with commercial, policy or political value which requires effective dissemination and communication to a range of suitable audiences. Employability skills developments are integral to the Research Project module. The specific nature of the research project chosen allows you to target specific skills you wish to develop in your learning pathway and the PTS will work closely with you to identify and articulate these skills through the associated module assessments.
Disaster Management
30 credits
The module builds on underpinning concepts, such as vulnerability and resilience, introduced in GG5140 Disaster Risk Reduction. It takes a critical approach to understanding disaster management and its implementation. The module examines the varying ways in which societies attempt to reduce the impacts of hazards through disaster management. It provides an exploration of how the historical, geographical, social, economic and political contexts shape the creation and implementation of disaster management in both developed and developing world contexts.
Foundation year
If you would like to study one of our science degrees at Kingston University but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc(Hons) course, you can include an extra foundation year within your chosen degree. Please see the science foundation year course page for details of modules.
Future Skills
Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Teaching includes lectures, seminars and tutorials, practical classes and integrated fieldwork study. We place an emphasis is on learning through experiences and there is field and practical work at all stages, including local and overseas fieldwork.
Assessment is varied and your assignments may replicate tasks you are likely to face in the workplace including report writing, role-playing exercises, presentations and environmental hazards and disaster management project exercises.
Staff teaching on this course
The course is taught by the Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment. Staff have a wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline. This ensures that our courses are current and industry informed ensuring you get the most relevant and up-to-date education possible.
The Department has invested substantially in the development of laboratories for teaching and research into subjects such as environmental monitoring, geology, geochemistry, mapping / GIS / computing facilities, and specialist instrumentation laboratories (e.g. nuclear metrology, laser raman spectroscopy, 3D mapping).
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
Course fees and funding
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
Field trips for this course
Fieldwork is an important part of our environmental hazard and disaster management teaching. It deepens your understanding and brings the subject to life.
Year 1: Cornwall
In the second semester you go on a week-long trip to Cornwall. Here you will:
- learn and develop a variety of environmental fieldwork skills
- study a range of topics, such as water resources, tourism and mine waste
- complete work suggested by lectures and individual projects
- research controversial environmental issues.
Year 2: Tenerife, Spain
During Year 2, you will visit Tenerife. You will study a range of environments to identify and examine a range of natural hazards and disaster management interventions. This will include the study of volcanic processes that have formed the islands and to look at the possible generation of a tsunami.
Year 3: Western Cape, South Africa
In Year 3, you have the option of going on a non-European field trip, currently to the Western Cape in South Africa. The field trip provides an opportunity to apply your environmental hazard and disaster management knowledge and skills in a typically unfamiliar environment with distinctive challenges. In South Africa this includes:
- Flash floods
- Participation in hazard management exercises including forest fire management
- Learning in multiple environments: from the city (e.g. Cape Town) to rural landscapes
South Africa field trip 2019
We also have links with international organisations. These include:
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The University of Malta
-
Malta Environment and Planning Authority
-
Malta Council for Economic and Social Development
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The BREEDE Skills Training Centre and Youth Activity Centre, South Africa,
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Naturally Knysna, South Africa
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Backsberg Vineyard, South Africa
International fieldwork programmes enable students to examine human and physical issues in diverse contexts and to get perspective on the challenges that other countries face from local governmental and non-governmental organisations and from industry.
After you graduate
Graduates pursue careers in a variety of commercial, industrial and public sector organisations such as local governments, INGOs, first responders (such as the police and fire service), civil defence, insurance companies and environment consultants.
What our students say
How we work with external organisations
We have good links with employers at Kingston University. This course was set up in response to the growing need for emergency planners, both in the UK and globally.
Throughout your degree we encourage you to think about how to apply your studies to potential real-life work situations. This ensures that you graduate with the skills employers need.
Guest speakers
One way we keep the course up to date is by inviting guest lecturers from the many organisations with which we have contact, including:
- the London Ambulance Service;
- the Metropolitan Police;
- the Fire Service; and
- the Environment Agency.
Many of the guest speakers discuss case studies of actual disasters, such as the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. You will also work with hazard practitioners in fields such as floods and volcanoes.
Work placement year
How you can work in industry during your course
Placements:
- provide work experience that is relevant to your course and future career
- improve your chances of graduating with a higher-grade degree
- enhance your CV
- lead to a graduate job
- enable you to earn a year's salary whilst studying (the vast majority of placements are paid)
- help you to select your final-year project.
"To be successful, tomorrow's leaders will need to be far more rounded individuals than ever before. They will collaborate in pursuit of shared goals. They will guide, challenge and support...They will have an appetite for change and a hunger for continuous improvement, and they will have an ethos of learning and development..." Jeremy Darroch, Former Chief Executive, Sky.
"Doing a placement year effectively gives you one foot in the door of a future job and to stand out from the crowd... as well as enhancing my CV... and future interviews. It's a great motivator to be successful in my studies as it only serves to open even more doors and gain more skills." Placement student at Jagex Games Studios Ltd.
There is a lot of support available for students looking to secure a placement (e.g. a jobs board with placement vacancies, help with writing CVs and mock interviews). Getting a placement and passing the placement year are ultimately the student's responsibility.
Examples of placements
Placements can be with large multinational companies, international companies, local companies and small start-ups; offering a diverse range of posts. Here are some examples of employers and roles:
| Construction-based placement employers | Construction-based placement roles |
|---|---|
| RG Group Multiplex Costain Willmott Dixon Fluor |
Assistant site manager Assistant trades package manager Assistant logistics manager Health and safety officer Construction engineer |
| Science-based placement employers | Science-based placement roles |
| Reckitt and Benckiser GSK Drug Control Centre Minton Treharne and Davies Ltd Various local and international hospitals |
Bioanalytical sciences Lab assistant Pharmacy assistant Sports coach |
| Engineering-based placement employers | Engineering-based placement roles |
| Airbus BAM Nuttall Nissan Bosch Wozair |
Analysis of aircraft structure Construction resources specialist Site engineer assistant |
| Computing and IS-based placement employers | Computing and IS-based placement roles |
| Disney Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe IBM McKinsey Intel |
Database coordinator Software developer Website developer App developer |
| Mathematics-based placement employers | Mathematics-based placement roles |
| Lloyds Banking Group AXA Allianz PAU Education, Spain |
Analyst Investment solutions Research analyst Accounts assistant |
Changes from 1 August 2022
Up until 31 July 2022, this course was taught in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing. For students enrolling from September 2022, the course will be delivered by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and the Environment. There will be no impact on the teaching or the award of the degree.
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
