BSc Sustainability with Environmental Sciences

The BSc Sustainability with Environmental Sciences degree at UCD offers an interdisciplinary education that combines environmental science, sustainability principles, policy, and social and economic contexts to address global environmental challenges such as climate change, ecosystem degradation, and resource management. It suits students who want to build scientific understanding of environmental systems alongside skills in sustainability practice, research, and policy analysis for careers in environmental consultancy, conservation, government agencies, NGOs, or further study.

Curriculum structure

First Year (Stage 1): Fundamentals of Sustainability and Environment

In Year 1, all Sustainability students take a common set of core modules that establish essential interdisciplinary knowledge before specialising. Key modules include SUST10010 Introduction to Sustainability, SUST10020 Sustainability Challenges, Principles of Scientific Enquiry, and Introduction to Earth Sciences, which build grounding in sustainability concepts and environmental systems. Students also explore foundational social science and economics modules such as Environment Change & Policy and Economics and Society, helping them integrate scientific and societal perspectives.

Second Year (Stage 2): Environmental Science Depth and Research Tools

In the second year, learners start to focus more on the Environmental Sciences specialisation while continuing interdisciplinary study. Core modules typically cover Sustainability: Research Tools, environmental analysis methods, ecology, climate science fundamentals, and field skills that enable students to investigate environmental processes. Elective options allow exploration of topics such as ecology, sustainable agriculture, and environmental chemistry while developing research design and statistical competencies.

Third Year (Stage 3): Applied Environmental Systems and Experience

By the third year, students advance into applied environmental science topics that address real-world sustainability challenges — for example, modules related to climate impacts, conservation, environmental assessment, and energy systems, though specific module names vary year to year. Students gain hands-on experience through fieldwork, interdisciplinary projects, and internships, often including an international field trip that broadens perspective on sustainability solutions. Research skills are further embedded.

Fourth Year (Stage 4): Integration, Specialisation & Capstone Research

In their final year, students consolidate environmental science expertise with advanced modules such as environmental data analysis, sustainable resource management, ecosystem services, and environmental policy integration. A substantial capstone research project or equivalent provides an opportunity to apply scientific methods and sustainability frameworks to a self-directed investigation — demonstrating both depth of knowledge and professional readiness. Electives support tailored focus.

Focus areas (in a string):
Environmental science, sustainability principles, climate change, ecology, earth systems, environmental policy, research methods, fieldwork and data analysis.

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Explain environmental and sustainability concepts; apply scientific inquiry and research tools; interpret environmental data; integrate interdisciplinary sustainability solutions; conduct independent environmental research.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This is an NFQ Level 8 BSc honours degree with interdisciplinary accreditation across science and social science frameworks, preparing graduates for environmental, sustainability, policy, NGO, or governmental roles and postgraduate pathways.

Reputation (employability rankings):
UCD is ranked among the world’s top universities in global rankings (QS and similar), with strong performance in environmental science, sustainability, and interdisciplinary STEM fields — supporting graduate employability in environmental and sustainability sectors.