Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences

General Data

ECTS Credits: 240
Fields of study: 0521 Environmental sciences
Professional Practices: Yes
Available for Mobility Students: Yes

Coordination

Gil Garrote Velasco
gil@uvigo.es

Presentation

This degree provides multidisciplinary training combining natural sciences, engineering fundamentals, and social sciences to address complex environmental challenges. Students learn to analyze environmental systems, evaluate human impacts, and design solutions aligned with sustainability, environmental protection, and territorial planning.

Key areas of study include:

  • Ecology and biodiversity
  • Environmental chemistry and geology
  • Hydrology and water management
  • Atmospheric pollution and climate change
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Waste management and soil protection
  • Environmental legislation, economics, and management

Graduates are prepared for roles in:

  • Environmental consultancy and auditing
  • Environmental impact and risk assessment
  • Natural resource and water management
  • Waste treatment and pollution control
  • Environmental quality monitoring
  • Public administration and environmental planning
  • Education, research support, and environmental awareness

Main Objective

The main objective of this degree  is to train professionals capable of analyzing, managing, and protecting the environment, integrating scientific, technical, and socio-economic knowledge to promote sustainable development and environmental quality.

More specifically, the degree aims to enable graduates to:

  • Understand the structure and functioning of natural systems and their interaction with human activities
  • Identify, assess, and prevent environmental impacts and risks
  • Design and apply environmental management, planning, and restoration strategies
  • Monitor and control pollution of air, water, and soil
  • Apply environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks in professional practice
  • Support decision-making in public administrations, companies, and organizations from a sustainability perspective

Competencies

General Competencies

  • Apply scientific reasoning and critical thinking to environmental problems
  • Analyze complex systems from an interdisciplinary perspective
  • Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences
  • Work both independently and in multidisciplinary teams
  • Adapt to new contexts and engage in lifelong learning
  • Act with ethical responsibility, social commitment, and respect for sustainability

Specific Environmental Competencies

  • Understand the structure and functioning of natural systems (ecosystems, atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere)
  • Identify and evaluate environmental impacts caused by human activities
  • Apply methodologies for environmental impact assessment and risk analysis
  • Monitor and assess air, water, and soil quality
  • Analyze climate change processes and their environmental consequences
  • Manage natural resources in a sustainable way
  • Design and evaluate environmental restoration and conservation strategies

Applied and Technical Competencies

  • Use environmental sampling, laboratory, and field techniques
  • Interpret and manage environmental data and indicators
  • Apply environmental legislation, policies, and planning tools
  • Implement environmental management systems in organizations
  • Participate in environmental audits and quality control processes
  • Support decision-making in public administration and private companies

Social, Legal, and Sustainability Competencies

  • Integrate sustainability principles into projects and policies
  • Promote environmental education and awareness
  • Balance environmental protection with economic and social development
  • Respect environmental regulations and governance frameworks
  • Contribute to the protection of public health and environmental quality

Structure and Distribution of Credits

  • Basic training (Formación básica): 60 ECTS
    Introductory subjects mainly in the first two years, covering fundamental areas such as biology, geology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics.
  • Compulsory subjects (Obligatorias): 138 ECTS
    Core subjects of the degree, focused on environmental sciences, including ecology, pollution, environmental management, impact assessment, legislation, and planning.
  • Optional subjects (Optativas): 30 ECTS
    Allow students to specialize in specific areas such as environmental management, conservation, water resources, or applied environmental technologies.
  • External internships (Prácticas externas): 6 ECTS
    Supervised professional training in companies, consultancies, public administrations, or environmental organizations.
  • Final Degree Project (Trabajo Fin de Grado – TFG): 6 ECTS
    An individual project that integrates and applies the competencies acquired throughout the degree.
Type of creditsECTS credits
Basic training (Formación básica)60 ECTS
Compulsory subjects (Obligatorias)138 ECTS
Optional subjects (Optativas)30 ECTS
External internships (Prácticas externas)6 ECTS
Final Degree Project (Trabajo Fin de Grado)6 ECTS
Total240 ECTS

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