Why Lancaster?
The Lancaster Environment Centre offers you a range of environmental science, earth science and environmental chemistry degrees taught by specialist staff; you will be exposed to the latest thinking in all your subjects.
We recognise that it can be difficult for you to decide the exact nature of your degree studies before you arrive at Lancaster, therefore we offer a great deal of flexibility between degrees in the environmental sciences and beyond. In most cases, you will have a choice of degree schemes until the start of your second year.
We offer you the opportunity to study abroad for part of your degree. This could be a few months in Europe, or your whole second year in North America, Australasia or Iceland. Your degree will still be completed in three years; the marks you gain from assessment abroad are used for your final degree grading.
We are very fortunate at Lancaster, being located amidst some of the finest landscapes in England. This allows us to give you regular hands-on experience of a wide range of environmental and geological situations in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Bowland Fells and Morecambe Bay.
How do others consider us?
The teaching of the suite of environmental science degrees was assessed in May 2009 and given a top rating of 'Full Confidence'. The assessment panel commended us for our exemplary support for students, as well as enthusiasm and commitment for the delivery of high quality degree programmes. The panel also praised us for the quality of the material that we provide to students.
Our teaching is strongly informed by our research activities, which were examined and rated in 2008. The Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) was assessed in the “Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences” grouping and placed 12th in the UK; 70% of LEC research activity was rated as international or world-leading standard. Overall, Lancaster was ranked 9th out of 117 universities in the UK for research.
Lancaster is the top university in the North West in three major national league tables published this year. The latest of these is the Times Good University Guide 2011, where Lancaster ranked 10th.
Lancaster also maintains this top position in the Independent's Complete University Guide (8th) and the Guardian national league tables (6th). Lancaster ranked 8th in the Times Higher Education's 'table of tables'.
Lancaster University is also ranked among the world's best universities according to the Times Higher Education. Lancaster is ranked in the top 200 universities worldwide, coming in at number 124 in the annual THE-QS world university rankings.
A total of 81.5 per cent of graduates from Lancaster are in a graduate level job six months after graduating according to the most recent graduate employment league table published by the Higher Education Statistical Agency. This compares well with an 85.3 per cent rate of graduate level employment for both Oxford and Cambridge.
In a recent study, Lancaster was found to have the lowest crime level of any UK university city. This makes Lancaster one of the safest cities in which to work and live whilst you study for your degree.
Teaching facilities
Computer labs
Within LEC there is a computer lab for the sole use of environmental students. 20 desktops, running both standard and specialist 'in-house' and industry software, are used for teaching and self-study for both personal computing and coursework preparation.
In addition, there is a faculty Multi-Media Lab, with another 50 computers also running specialist software used for Environmental Science modules, as well as to the standard Microsoft Office package.
Part 1 Lab
The Part 1 lab is used for many of the 1st year practical classes, and is also available for private study in the mornings.
Facilities include a series of flume tanks and model aquifers for the study of rivers and groundwater, and petrological microscopes for studying rocks and minerals.
Part 2 Lab
The Part 2 lab is used for all Part 2 (2nd and 3rd year undergraduate) and Masters teaching.
In addition to formal lab classes, this space is available to students carrying out their dissertation work.
Research labs
Many undergraduate and Masters students carry out their dissertation projects in LEC's top class research labs, allowing them to work with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, as well as internationally renowned research staff.
Hazelrigg Weather Station
Daily weather observations have been made at Lancaster University since 1966.
Initially, the weather station was located at a site on the University campus, but in 1976 was relocated to Hazelrigg. Whatever their main field of study, students are welcome to become volunteer Met Observers.
Library
The University Library is well stocked with core texts and current journals, as well as acting as a portal to a huge range of electronic resources. The electronic resources can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Virtual Learning Environment
All modules taught within Environmental Science at LEC make use of LUVLE (Lancaster University Virtual Learning Environment).
There are dedicated pages for each module. The content varies between modules, but might include lecture notes, audio files, links to additional sources of information and discussion boards.
Careers
The Centre for Employability, Enterprise and Careers (CEEC) works with students throughout their time at the University, helping them to secure the job they are aiming for.
CEEC staff come into Environmental Science at LEC at various times throughout our degrees to work with students on enhancing their job prospects.