The BSc Environmental Biology degree programme is focussed on the biological aspects of environmental science and equips students with a strong background in ecology and its application to environmental assessment and management. The course reflects the broad integrated multidisciplinary approach required in modern environmental research and management, drawing on modules from the disciplines of zoology, plant science and microbiology. Our students graduate with an ability to find, critically appraise, synthesise and communicate existing knowledge in environmental topics, and with practical experience of generating and reporting new insights as independent researchers. The programme aims to support a systematic development of knowledge and specialised and transferable skills via lectures, tutorials, field-based studies, laboratory-based practical classes and small group teaching. Student learning is assessed both continually within the semester and by end of semester examinations. The principles underlying the degree structure are flexibility and choice to enable students to develop and explore their interests in different branches of the discipline, while at the same time ensuring the breadth of experience required by many employers. Indeed, there is a strong emphasis on skills and links with industry – core modules include mock environmental impact assessment, field-based sampling and identification, and guest lectures from environmental managers and consultants. The programme uses research-led teaching, experimental and problem solving practicals, case studies, field-based analysis and development of core scientific and transferable skills, and culminates in a major final year research project under the supervision of an academic staff member.

1 - 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity, evolution and ecophysiology of plants, animals and microbes
2 - 2. Be conversant with the principles of population, community and ecosystem ecology
3 - 3. Understand anthropogenic pressures and their impacts on natural ecosystems
4 - 4. Understand ecotoxicology and evaluate different approaches to environmental monitoring
5 - 5. Be able to describe key environmental legislation in Ireland and Europe
6 - 6. Demonstrate an understanding of conservation biology and environmental management
7 - 7. Be able to identify and classify biota
8 - 8. Evidence mastery of appropriate field skills, including scientific drawing, sampling, producing field notes, operating within health and safety legislation
9 - 9. Demonstrate competence in scientific method, experimental design, interpreting data and problem solving
10 - 10. Have developed a capacity for using and communicating scientific information (finding, critical appraisal, synthesis, reporting)
11 - 11. Demonstrate the competence for project planning, time management and independent research
12 - 12. Be able to work effectively as part of a team

Students who return failing grades in a trimester amounting to 15 credits, or more, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic Progress policy. Students whose rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable will be referred to the Governing Board to be reviewed for exclusion from the programme.
Students who fail to progress from the stage of the programme they are registered to for more than two academic years (except where a period of Leave of Absence has been granted for one of those years) will also be contacted under the Continuation – Academic Progress Policy.
As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Students take six core modules and four option modules. Students should select two modules from List A and one module from List B. The fourth module may be selected from List A, B or C. Additional modules can be selected from within the BSc programme or alternatively, students can select 10 credits from elective modules. If you are interested in doing an Internship as part of Stage 4, you must indicate your interest now (in Stage 3). See full details www.ucd.ie/science /careers/internships/students/

- Students take one core and eight option modules. - The 20 credit research project module is spread over two trimesters and 10 credits of work is expected in Autumn. Students should bear this in mind when selecting options and balance their workload across trimesters.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 3 Core Modules
ENVB30010	Systems Ecology	Autumn	5
ENVB30020	Wildlife Conservation and Fisheries Management	Autumn	5
ENVB30140	Analysis of Environmental Materials	Autumn	5
BIOL30030	Working with Biological Data	Spring	5
BOTN30050	Diversity of Plant Form & Function	Spring	5
ENVB30100	Ecological and Environmental Microbiology	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Students must select a total of 4 options, with at least 2 modules from List A below.
BOTN30140	Experimental Plant Physiology	Spring	5
GENE20020	Principles of Genetics	Spring	5
ZOOL30020	Arthropoda	Spring	5
ZOOL30060	Biogeography and Field Biology	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Students must select a total of 4 options, with at least 2 modules from List A below.
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN1OF: Students must take at least 1 module from List B.
ZOOL30050	Diversity of Invertebrates	Autumn	5
ZOOL30040	Diversity of Vertebrates	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN1OF: Students must take at least 1 module from List B.
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0OF: Students must select a 4th module from either List A, B or C
AESC30080	Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy	Autumn	5
AESC30220	Soil Science Applications	Autumn	5
BIOL30020	Landscape Ecology	Autumn	5
BIOL30040	Scientific Writing for Biology	Autumn	5
ENVB30110	Food Microbiology	Autumn	5
ZOOL20020	Animal Behaviour	Autumn	5
ZOOL30030	Evolutionary Biology	Autumn	5
ZOOL30050	Diversity of Invertebrates	Autumn	5
ZOOL30040	Diversity of Vertebrates	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0OF: Students must select a 4th module from either List A, B or C
Stage 4 Core Modules
BIOL40360	Research Project	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	20
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)8OF: Please select 40 credits from the list below. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
BOTN40300	Plant Biology Field Course	Autumn	5
ENVB40030	Bioassessment of Freshwaters	Autumn	5
ENVB40040	Environmental Impact Assessment	Autumn	5
ENVB40310	Peatlands and Environmental Change	Autumn	5
ENVB40490	Tropical Field Ecology	Autumn	5
ENVB40540	Introduction to Ecological Mapping with open source software (QGIS)	Autumn	5
LAW30440	Environmental Law and Policy	Autumn	5
MICR40050	Microbiology of Foodborne Pathogens	Autumn	5
SCI30080	Professional Placement-Science	Autumn	5
ZOOL40500	Ornithology	Autumn	5
ZOOL40510	Conservation of Biodiversity: Theory and Practice	Autumn	5
BIOL40850	Big Questions in Biology	Spring	5
ENVB40020	Marine Community Ecology	Spring	5
ENVB40290	Ecological Modelling	Spring	5
ENVB40480	Applied Microbial Ecology	Spring	5
GENE40080	Population Genetics	Spring	5
MICR40040	Microbial Pathogenicity	Spring	5
ZOOL40280	Biological Invasions	Spring	5
ZOOL40490	Wildlife Habitat Modelling for Ecology and Conservation	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - A)8OF: Please select 40 credits from the list below. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHSCI001	Stage 4 - 70.00% Stage 3 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47