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Environmental Science
Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
College of Science and Engineering- Title of Award
- Bachelor of Science
- CAO Points
- 45(2024)
- Average Intake
- 20
- Delivery
- On Campus
- NFQ
- Level 8
- QQI/FET/FETAC Places
- 4
- Award Type
- Major
- Next Intake
- September 2025
- Duration
- 4 years
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary study which examines the interaction between humans and the environment, with specific reference to the effects of modern technological advances.
Postgraduate research opportunities in the field of Environmental Science leading to MSc and PhD degrees are available within the college. Research areas currently include the fields of agri-environmental research, biodiversity, biological control, and habitat management and wetland studies.
Year 1
- Biology
- Hot Topics in Environmental Science
- Introduction to Law
- Introduction to Statistical Data and Probability With either:
- Chemistry
- Physics or
- Chemistry/Physics
- Introduction to Psychology I and II
- Introduction to Irish Habitats
Year 2
- Environmental Modules
- Botany and Plant Science Modules
- Earth and Ocean Sciences Modules
- Microbiology Modules
- Zoology Modules
- Environmental Legislation
Year 3
- Nature Conservation and Habitat Management
- Field Course with Environmental Skills
- Habitat Management Planning
- Legislation for Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Microbiology
- Microbial Genomics
- Plant Resources and Ecosystems
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Plus four electives from a wide range of modules
Year 4
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Science Seminars
- Advanced Field Course in Environmental Science
- Final Year Project
- Plus four electives from a wide range of modules
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
OptionalCH101: Chemistry - 15 Credits - Semester 1OptionalPH101: Physics - 15 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalCP102: Chemistry/Physics - 15 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalPS122: Introductory Psychology 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredLW3114: Introduction to Law - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredBO101: Biology - 15 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredST2001: Statistics for Data Science 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalPS124: Introductory Psychology 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalEV1101: Introduction to Irish habitats - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredEV102: Hot Topics in Environmental Science - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Year 2 (60 Credits)
RequiredMI202: Laboratory Skills in Microbiology I - 5 Credits - Semester 3RequiredEV203: Ecological Survey Techniques - 5 Credits - Semester 3
RequiredLW217: Environmental Legislation - 5 Credits - Semester 3
RequiredBPS202: Fundamentals in Aquatic Plant Science - 5 Credits - Semester 3
RequiredZO209: Vertebrate Zoology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
RequiredMI203: Laboratory Skills in Microbiology II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
RequiredMI204: Microbes and the Environment - 5 Credits - Semester 4
RequiredZO208: Invertebrate Biology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
RequiredBPS203: Plant Diversity, Physiology & Adaptation - 5 Credits - Semester 4
RequiredEOS2102: The Earth: From Core to Crust - 10 Credits - Semester 4
RequiredEOS2101: Introduction to Fieldskills - 5 Credits - Semester 4
- The opportunity to study the environment in an area with unique, pristine habitats.
- Hands-on learning through field modules and labs and final-year thesis project.
- Interdisciplinary experience in a range of modules across the sciences and humanities.
- Small class sizes with direct supervision from professors.
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary study which examines interaction between humans and the environment, with specific reference to the effects of modern technological advances on the environment. Graduates of our programme have worked with such government bodies as:
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Waterways Ireland
- Regional Fisheries Board
- Geological Survey Ireland
- National Biodiversity Records Centre
- Teagasc
Opportunities in the private sector, such as Environmental Consulting, and Research in academia also exist.
No matter what path you choose, the B.Sc. in Environmental Science gives you the skills to build a successful career in a changing world. Check out Environmental Science Career sheet to know more.
The BSc in Environmental Science is designed to develop students’ proficiency in a range of field sampling techniques while fostering an awareness or the major environmental issues of our time, critical thinking and analytical skills. The learning experience is dynamic, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application to prepare students for environmental careers.
How Will I Learn?
- Practical Experience: Students engage in field trips, laboratory modules and hands-on exercises in which they learn a range of methods used by environmental scientists.
- Conceptual and Theoretical Modules: Modules on a range of environmental issues and topics provide students with the theoretical foundations to ground their practical work.
- Final Year Thesis: In the final year students develop and carry out a research project of their own with one-on-one supervision from one of our academic staff.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: This method uses input from a number of academic disciplines to integrate natural sciences, law, and social sciences, broadening your career opportunities.
- Technology Driven Tools: Students will gain experience with GIS, statistical analysis coding, and some of the latest technologies used for fieldwork, giving them the experience employers are looking for.
How Will I Be Assessed?
- Continuous Assessment: Regular coursework, including essays, assignments and field/lab exercises. Students receive regular feedback on their progress.
- Examinations: Written exams take place before Christmas and in May. Written exams evaluate proficiency in comprehension of major concepts, critical thinking skills and ability to communicate in writing.
- Oral Assessments: Students participate in class discussions, field trips and presentations.
- Final Year Thesis: The thesis in Year 4 is assessed based on a literature review, work on the research project, a final thesis and final presentation. Students are assessed by their own advisor as well as other faculty members and an external examiner.
Course queries:
mike.gormally@universityofgalway.ie
Programme Director(s):
Prof Mike Gormally
E: mike.gormally@universityofgalway.ie
Professor in Environmental Science
School of Natural Sciences
College of Science and Engineering
Accreditations & Awards
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Agricultural Science or Computer Science) or Technology, and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
Alternative Pathways
The Access Centre at University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programmes. See below some useful links:
Other Qualifications
If you are a school leaver presenting results other than Leaving Cert results, please review the entry requirements relevant to you:
For applicants whose first language is not English, it is important to check our English Language Requirements.
Admissions Office
Our Admissions Office provides additional detail relevant to CAO applicants including key dates, FAQs and instructions for non-school leavers.
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry. Further information available here.
QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants page for information on places available and entry requirements.
Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026
Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All | €4,268 | €3,000 | €27,000 | €140 | €3,140 | €7,408 | €27,140 |
- Most EU students applying through the CAO will be eligible for the ‘Free Fees Initiative’. You can find out more here.
- If you are eligible for a means tested SUSI grant this may cover 100% of this Student Contribution Charge. If you are 100% eligible SUSI will pay the Student Contribution Charge of €3,000 on your behalf.
- The Student Levy It is payable by all students and it is not covered by SUSI
- Where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing year fees. This applies to non-EU fees.
- You can find additional detail on the Fees Office webpage including FAQs and how fee status is assessed.
Equipment and Fieldtrips
Some modules incorporate practical laboratories and for these, you may be required to purchase basic safety items such as a laboratory coat or goggles, sturdy footwear and raingear for field work (approx. cost of €200 in Year 1). Other modules may require a kit of components to be purchased.
Fieldtrips
There are some minor travel costs attached to participating in mandatory fieldtrip for the final year course (approximate cost of €200 ). All other field trips are covered in tuition fees. The School endeavours to cover costs as much as possible and keep the contributions from students as low as possible.
Application Process
Students applying for full undergraduate degree programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply online via Apply to University of Galway. Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for each the following September.
Further Information
Please visit the international application webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
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Course Introduction
Turn Your Passion for Nature into a Rewarding Career
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary study which examines the interaction between humans and the environment, with specific reference to the effects of modern technological advances.
Today, the necessity to understand our environment has never been more urgent and the need for environmental scientists to deal with increasingly complex issues is growing. The course provides a thorough grounding in the basic sciences in the first year, followed by the application of this knowledge to current environmental problems in the later years. While studying a broad range of subjects, students are also given the opportunity to specialise in topics of their choice.
