Environmental Sciences BSc pre-reading

I’m applying for Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences. There’s less course discussion on the latter — does anyone here take this degree?

I’ve re-read all my Biology and Chemistry notes, can anyone recommend any first year textbooks on geology/hydrology/field technique?

The Dundee interview with a present student mentioned field drawing of geological features, I am currently a poor draftsman— should I take landscape drawing lessons if I get an offer and accept?

I only have very old Collins New Naturalist books, some specialist botany (mosses, liverworts, lichens, algae) and microscopy books and FBA and FSC monographs (diatoms, copepods, cladocerans) and keys beyond the usual 6th year textbooks.

One book on surveying but it was great grandfather’s — engineer’s chain, analogue theodolite calculations and hand cartography. I didn’t take geology.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

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Original post

by Lophocolea

I’m applying for Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences. There’s less course discussion on the latter — does anyone here take this degree?
I’ve re-read all my Biology and Chemistry notes, can anyone recommend any first year textbooks on geology/hydrology/field technique?
The Dundee interview with a present student mentioned field drawing of geological features, I am currently a poor draftsman— should I take landscape drawing lessons if I get an offer and accept?
I only have very old Collins New Naturalist books, some specialist botany (mosses, liverworts, lichens, algae) and microscopy books and FBA and FSC monographs (diatoms, copepods, cladocerans) and keys beyond the usual 6th year textbooks.
One book on surveying but it was great grandfather’s — engineer’s chain, analogue theodolite calculations and hand cartography. I didn’t take geology.

Hi @Lophocolea
Whilst I studied Physical Geography at undergrad, and I did study quite a few Environmental sciences modules, so might be able to help.
I found a good 1st year text book that covered a wide variety of topics was 'Understanding Earth', however this mainly focused on Geology, Natural Hazards, Hydrology but also provided a brief background to coasts, glaciers, and weather, if you are interested in studying any of these subjects. I wouldn't recommend buying this book as its quite expensive, however when you arrive at university, they should have a few copies either physical copies or the online version, so this might be useful to read at the start of modules to get a brief understanding.
In terms of drawing geological features, I've had some experience of this throughout my degree, and the drawing don't have to be of great quality, the most important thing is you include the key features and label them (fractures, sediment type, dip angle ect.). At the start of a geology module they should run through field sketches and what features to include ect.
Hope this helps, and if you have any questions feel free to ask!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 2

username7368346

Good evening,
Thank you very much for your kind reply— please forgive me for my delay in responding.

Your advice re drawing has set my mind back to rest, thank you.

Do you by any chance have the author of “Understanding Earth” or the ISBN number to hand? The local library at home has a long loans service but there’s apparently a number of British and international textbooks with rather similar names/titles.

Reply 3

Lancaster Student Ambassador

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Original post

by Lophocolea

Good evening,
Thank you very much for your kind reply— please forgive me for my delay in responding.
Your advice re drawing has set my mind back to rest, thank you.
Do you by any chance have the author of “Understanding Earth” or the ISBN number to hand? The local library at home has a long loans service but there’s apparently a number of British and international textbooks with rather similar names/titles.

Hello!
It is very exciting to hear you are interested in studying Environmental Science! I am a third year Earth and Environmental Science student and a lot of the modules overlap. The book Understanding Earth is written by John P. Grotzinger and Thomas H. Jordan. This is an incredibly useful book which is used in almost all my modules! However, the online version should be made available to you online and a physical copy by your university library.
As Jasmine mentioned, I wouldn't worry about the geological sketches as the focus is more on identifying the features than the sketches themselves!

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions!
Lucy (Lancaster University Student Ambassador)

Reply 4

username7368346

Dear Lucy, Dear Jasmine,
Thank you so very much for this— I haven’t been able to find too much online for the course so it’s a real boost to get a few tips here. University of Dundee applicant — the town has a very long Arctic tradition and I believe the course is heavy on hydrology and glacial studies, it should be fascinating.