FdSc Environmental Management

This new Foundation Degree will start January 2011. For more details contact Course Director, Dr. Kezia Barker.

Course Director

Dr. Kezia Barker
Lecturer in Science and Environmental Studies
Programme Director for FdSc Environmental Management
Birkbeck, University of London
26 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5DQ
tel: 0207 631 6619
email: k.barker@bbk.ac.uk

Aims

The environmental sector is a fast-growing sector of the economy, responding to the critical environmental challenges facing our world. There are increasing demands for well-trained and experienced applicants in both the public and private sector. This interdisciplinary foundation degree is designed to respond directly to this need.

You will study social science, physical science and management approaches to environmental issues, including professional tools such as environmental impact assessments, environmental management systems and sustainability indicators. The unique emphasis of the degree is to take this learning beyond the university context and apply it directly to the world of work, through embedded work-experience modules. By gaining valuable work-experience whilst achieving a university qualification you will be well-placed to enter and progress in the environmental sector employment market.

Content

The course is delivered over two and a half years, with one/two evening meetings a week and occasional weekends. The teaching is based at our Stratford campus, with some optional modules delivered in Bloomsbury.

In the first year you will take core courses giving you a foundation in scientific, political and ethical issues related to environmental management, with the opportunity to develop your critical study skills. In the second and third year you will take a combination of core and optional modules on specialist aspects of environmental management, together with applied modules that take your skills into work-relevant settings:

Year 1

• Introductions: Environmental Issues
• Foundations in Environmental Science
• Foundations in Environmental Policy and Politics

Year 2

• Work-Related Learning module (Environmental Consultancy 1)
• Environment, Economy and Society in Europe
• One optional module

Year 3 (one term)

• Work-Based Project module (Environmental Consultancy 2)
• One optional module

Options

You can choose from a range of options, which may include:

• Environmental Processes
• Ecological Communities: Structure and Function
• Geographical Analysis and Techniques
• Conservation: People, Policy and Practice
• Britain's Geographical Development
• Public Sector Management

On successful completion, students can progress into the final years of certain BSc degrees offered by Birkbeck, including BSc Environmental Management, BSc Environmental Science, BSc Geography and the Environment, and BSc Professional Studies.

Teaching

Evening lecture sessions, occasional weekend practical classes and field courses. Teaching methods include a mix of formal lectures, seminars, group work and practical activities.

Assessment

A mixture of coursework and formal examinations

When to apply

• It is advisable to apply early
• Interviews take place May - Sept

Special Features

This foundation degree is designed to draw together academic study in environmental management with professional skills development. The course will appeal to those who wish to combine academic study with work experience, crucial for competing in the environment sector, as well as those within the environmental sector intent on career advancement who wish to use their studies to reflect upon their current practice. Birkbeck's expertise in combining higher education study support and professional development planning with world-class academic training is drawn together in this foundation degree. The course supports students to improve their study and professional development skills at the outset, and allows progression, following successful completion, onto a range of Birkbeck's BSc courses.

Duration

• Two years and one term, part-time

Attendance

• One-two evenings a week
• October-June
• Some weekend workshops and practical classes

Entry Requirements

Under 21: Applicants should normally possess at least one subject at AL. An appropriate BTEC National Award/Certificate/14-19 Diploma or equivalent qualifications will be considered. However, all interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Course Director.

Over 21: No specific A-level requirements.

Applicants with environmental management qualifications or experience are welcome to discuss opportunities for Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning.