PhD Environmental Science

Research in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences covers three main research themes ; earth and planetary science, environment and society, and life on earth. Research within this programme includes innovative scientific approaches, at a macro scale down to a molecular scale, to study the environment, to understand natural processes, and to understand how human activities are changing the world and environment we live in. We study how human activity changes the climate, and how in turn the climate and weather affects human society and life on our planet. We can also use environmental science research to examine air and water quality, and examine the causes, consequences, management and mitigation of pollution events. This can include the management of our nuclear legacy through investigating nuclear decommissioning and nuclear waste management and disposal. Research within the Department also investigates the sources, utilisation and exploitation of energy, water, food and mineral resources. Many aspects of research into environmental function require an understanding of chemical interactions in environmental systems, such as the characterisation of mineral-water-organic matter reactions in surface and subsurface environments.

The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master's degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).