Field courses abroad
The following field courses abroad are for BSc/MSci Environmental Science and BSc/MSci Environmental Biology students only, as fieldwork is an essential part of the course.
Please note that these field courses are not open to other courses within the School of Biosciences.
For more information contact Dr Ruth Blunt.
“Environmental biologists are pretty blessed with their opportunities to travel; in my final year there is an arctic ecology field course to northern Sweden which I am very much looking forward to!”
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university's control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
Field courses
Arctic Ecology Field Course in Sweden
One week’s field study in arctic Sweden at Abisko which takes place in July between the second and third year.
Under the midnight sun, students will put ecological methodology into practice in projects that analyse landscape patterns and processes.
The course will also address the impact of climate change on arctic ecosystems. Students will gain practical experience in ecological methodology, experimental design, data collection and analysis, interpretation and presentation.
Tropical Environmental Field Course in Malaysia
Based on Tioman Island off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, this field course involves studies of various tropical communities and ecosystems using a range of field techniques to investigate factors which determine the distribution and function of living organisms in tropical ecosystems.
Activities include the deployment of camera traps to describe the community of terrestrial mammals in a tropical forest.
Urban Pollution Field Course in Spain
This three day field course takes place just prior to the start of year 3. It's based in central Barcelona, offering the opportunity to investigate urban pollution in one of Spain's most iconic cities. The field course provides students with practical experience of a range of environmental pollution issues within urban environments, and its long term effects. Students will engage in sampling and observation, based on key topics such as air pollution and contamination of soils and vegetation. The course involves practical experience of fieldwork, working in teams and collecting and analysing field samples.