Bachelor in Environmental Sciences

Key Points

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The program aims to maintain both quality of life and a clean and healthy environment, the EU now has a very comprehensive environmental policy and Ireland is obliged to act in accordance with this policy.

Tighter environmental requirements are being imposed on industry and the community in areas such as energy use, waste minimization, waste management, recycling, water and air quality. Consequently, there is a strong demand for graduates with a scientific understanding of environmental and health and safety issues, along with a thorough understanding of the technological and managerial methods available to help improve the quality of our environment. What sets Environmental Science apart at the University of Limerick is its relevance to industry and business, through a focus on technology, environmental management, and health and safety in the workplace.

After having followed a comprehensive first year common, you will be provided with a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and ecology, and in-depth knowledge of technology, environmental management, conservation, and environmental waste management.

Aims and objectives

Investigation and troubleshooting
Develop arguments from scientific, ethical and philosophical perspectives
Planning and project management
Collect, analyze and communicate complex technical data
Flexibility to work in all types of environments, developed through fieldwork experience.
Extensive knowledge of local, national and global environmental problems.

Program structure

The degree program lasts for four years. The first modules are concerned with developing your understanding of the sciences relevant to the environment (biology, ecology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics). The basic concepts used in these subjects apply to specific applications of environmental science. Subsequent modules of the program focus on the areas of management, environmental technology, impact assessment, waste management, environmental monitoring, and health and safety.

In the third year, the University organizes Cooperative Education for all students. This is a period of approximately eight months of paid employment for you in a position that is relevant to environmental science. This location benefits you in a number of ways, as it makes it easier for you to apply techniques and knowledge acquired at the University to the work environment, provides you with meaningful experience that can be helpful when seeking a position at graduation, and provides you with the opportunity to work as part of a team to solve real problems in the workplace.

In the final year of the program, you will undertake a research project in some aspect of environmental science. The project is supervised by an academic member of staff with specific expertise in the area and the project runs during both semesters.

YEAR 1

Semester 1

General Chemistry 1
Biology 1
Science Mathematics 1
Laboratory calculations
Introduction to Biosciences and the Environment
Introduction to Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry
Introduction to Scientific Calculations

Semester 2
Biology for Biosciences
Organic Chemistry 1
Introduction to physics
Science Mathematics 2
General Chemistry 2 (inorganic)
General Chemistry 2 (physics)

YEAR 2

Semester 3

Energy and environment 1
Occupational Hygiene
Inorganic Chemistry 2B
Soil Science
General Microbial

Semester 4

Environmental Modeling and GIS 1
Biology of Pollution
Ecology 1
Enviromental chemistry
Analytical Chemistry for the Environment

YEAR 3

Semester 5

Environmental Modeling and GIS 2
Waste Management 1
Monitoring and research methods
Discrete Analytical Methods
Environmental Management 1

Semester 6

Cooperative Education

YEAR 4

Semester 7

Environmental Impact Assessment
Safety and Industry
Environmental Catalysis
Conservation Ecology
Investigation project

Semester 8

Security of technology
Health and safety management
Clean Technology
Waste Management 2
Research Project (cont.)
* The availability of the module may change from year to year

Admission requirements

Applicants must possess at the time of enrolment the prescribed Certificate of Completion (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: two H5 (Higher Level) grades and four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or other language and English.
In the case of international candidates, the foreign equivalent is required. In addition, a degree officially translated into English will be required.
IELTS 6.5, with no less than 6 in any component (or its internationally recognised equivalent).