This course will enable you to explore the Earth’s natural systems and their physical, chemical and biological interactions. This knowledge can then be used to create strategies for solving major environmental issues, including pollution and climate change. The course has a strong practical basis and you will learn the essential skills needed by today’s professional environmental scientists. Furthermore, you will have the option to work as an environmental consultant for a real client. You will be assigned a stretch of the River Loddon and will carry out assessments, liaise with key stakeholders, and report your findings to the Environment Agency. Fieldwork is a major part of this degree, and you will benefit from regular local trips and longer residential visits. The University of Reading’s award-winning campus is home to over a thousand different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It offers multiple habitats for study, including lakes, hay meadows and woodlands, and allows you to step straight from the classroom to the field. Meanwhile, the University's large farms provide access to hedgerow, marshland and the Thames. During your final year you will complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice, such as water quality, carbon budgets or soil. You may have the chance to run it in conjunction with an outside society and gain experience of completing research for a major organisation. In the past, students have worked alongside Natural England and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There may also be the chance to spend a term studying abroad in areas such as Svalbard and Rhode Island. This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). You can choose to carry out a short placement, which will involve working on a small project for a local company or organisations. This will provide you with valuable experience of professional work, as well as enabling you to develop your research, survey, and data analysis and presentation skills. Our department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, which can provide you with advice and support. As a BSc Environmental Science graduate you will be well placed to move into a variety of technical and scientific roles within areas such as environmental protection, renewable energy, sustainable transport, water, environmental consultancy and geological consultancy. Alternatively you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training or postgraduate studies.