School of Natural Sciences
About the School
Welcome to the School of Natural Sciences
We have a well-deserved reputation for the quality our teaching and for the pastoral care we provide for our students; supported by results from surveys of undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Bangor University ranks amongst the UK's top 10 universities for student satisfaction (excluding specialist institutions), based upon the 2018 National Student Survey; reflecting the University's focus on overall student experience.
Research excellence
We boast a world-class reputation for research, with particular expertise in the biological sciences in molecular ecology, fisheries genetics, ancient DNA, evolutionary and conservation biology, biogeochemistry, biohydrometallurgy, plant product biochemistry and (plant) stress physiology, wetland biogeochemistry, neurophysiology of crustaceans, animal responses to stress and applied microbiology. In a broader environmental context our research interests include forest ecology and management; environmental studies and soil science; agricultural systems; agroforestry; biodiversity conservation; and tropical ecosystems. Internationally excellent research in Chemistry covers the areas of materials chemistry, chemistry at the life Sciences interface and computational and theoretical chemistry.
A fantastic location to study the environment
The School is set in a region of outstanding natural beauty between the mountains, lakes and forests of the Snowdonia National Park and the dramatic North Wales coastline. The Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) is also on our doorstep which makes our location is the perfect environment to study. It is not only a beautiful place to live but was voted one of the best locations in the world to visit by Lonely Planet (2017). Within 15 miles of Bangor are 10 National Nature Reserves, 1 National Park, 2 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 4 heritage coasts, 9 local nature reserves and 83 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. We make extensive use of our location as field-based components are a significant feature of all our courses.
Teaching and learning
Teaching and learning Our staff are committed to delivering the highest quality teaching and creating supportive learning environments. They are enthusiastic about their teaching, and many of our staff are at the forefront of world-class research. The research they undertake is directly applicable to teaching our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Our undergraduate degrees are accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, the Institution of Environmental Sciences and the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Royal Society of Chemistry meaning you will not only be equipped with the skills, abilities and expertise from your studies and start you on the route to chartered status, increasing required in the world of employment.
We arrange UK and overseas field courses, including trips to Tenerife, Spain, Arizona, Florida, Uganda, India and Ghana, which enhance your learning experience. There are many opportunities to undertake professional work placements in your sector and put classroom based teaching in a real-life context. You can also undertake in international experience year which is reflected in your degree title. We offer a wide range of degree programmes, The modular structure of our degrees allows students to choose modules from many other disciplines.
Postgraduate study and Research
Postgraduate study and Research Our Postgraduate programmes cover a wide range of subjects; We also currently offer a taught postgraduate distance-learning programme in Forestry; Tropical Forestry; and Food Security in the Changing Environment. These courses are ideally suited to allow you to undertake a Master of Science level course whilst working.
Many of our programmes are professionally accredited, including our forestry-related programmes which are accredited by Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), chemistry programmes by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and our Environmental programmes, which are accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) or the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
