BSc Business and Environment (Cornwall)

BEP1070: Accounting

Financial literacy is an important skill in the business world. It helps you to understand how you can support the mission of any organisation and how you can add (or destroy) value. Whether you are an employee, a small business owner or in management of a larger business, understanding the principles of accounting helps you to understand the financial operations of the organisation.

The module incorporates the Colour Accounting Learning System™, an innovative way of presenting financial information using colour and diagrams. At the heart of the system is a diagram called the BaSIS Framework™ that is a holistic and graphical view of a balance sheet and income statement. It is highly creative and involves colour, movement, language, visualisation and breathtaking simplicity.

We examine the principles of accounting and financial statements and explore how to understand them.

The aim of this module is to provide you with a foundation in accounting literacy, which leads to financial literacy and ultimately to business acumen. You will be introduced to the recording of transactions, the content of financial statements, and the interpretation financial information.

The focus of the module is from the perspective of a user of financial information.

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BEP1100: Understanding Work and Organisations

Organisations and organising refers to processes through which people are grouped in order to carry out and achieve common goals beyond the reach of individuals. In everyday life organisations are all around us and indeed, Peter Drucker who developed management as a discipline, stated that we live in a 'society of organisations'. We engage with organisations as customers, consumers, employees or through communities we live in or visit. Organisations and the wider labour market and environmental contexts in which they operate are therefore a fundamental part of the complex systems of society.

It is therefore important to develop some understanding and insight about how organisations interact with their environments, can be appropriately designed and effectively managed. This module does this through a combination of theoretical frameworks, practical, consultant-style activities with responsible AI use intergrated and part of the module's learning outcomes. It opens with an overview of the purpose and structure of organisations, activities within them - some ethical and some not - before mapping the relationship between organisations, their natural and labour market environments.

The module concludes with an attept to look into the future and discuss how changes in labour markers and organisational needs are likely to affect your career trajectories.

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BEP1150: Environment, Society and Business

Business-as-usual is threatening the stability of the ecosystems that support our lives. We are exceeding planetary boundaries: most of the land surface and the ocean are impacted by human activities, forests continue to be cut down to make space for agriculture and animal husbandry, the poles are losing their ice, the depletion of natural resources such as drinking water is affecting local communities worldwide, overfishing and loss of biodiversity are increasing at a dramatic rate. Addressing challenges of this scale require an interdisciplinary response. It requires cooperation, long-sightedness and critical, creative and system thinking. This module brings different disciplines together to draw attention to the role our economy plays in exacerbating the ecological crisis, and what a sustainable economy might look like. The module offers an introductory insight into ecology, environmental science and different traditions of economic thought linking the economy and the environment. In so doing, it provides the theoretical basis for understanding, designing and implementing new purpose-driven business models, enabling business to make a positive contribution to the environment and society. No prior knowledge skills or experience is needed in order to able to take this module. This module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

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CGE1408B: Global Issues in Environmental Science

This module is designed to give you a clear, two-part journey through critical environmental issues we face today. We spend the first half of the term focused strictly on the science of "Planetary Boundaries"—specifically looking at the current state of our air, oceans, land use, and biodiversity. We zoom in on these areas because they have already crossed into risky, unhealthy territory.

In the second half, we widen the lens to include the human side of the equation further. We explore how those ecological lines we crossed earlier connect to real-world social issues like global health, mining, and natural hazards. The big takeaway is that these aren't separate problems; crashing through an environmental boundary often hurts human health, while trying to fix social problems can put more stress on the planet. Rather than just looking at "trade-offs," we aim to teach you how to navigate toward a "safe and just space" where humanity can thrive without breaking the Earth's life-support systems.

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CGE1419: Introduction to Data Science

This module provides practical insights into how scientists use data to answer research questions in environmental, marine, and geographical sciences. The module is designed to build skills progressively: starting with foundational maths, moving on to programming in R, and culminating in the analysis of real environmental datasets using a range of statistical techniques.

Through a combination of lectures, practical workshops, and online resources, you will learn to:

• Handle, clean, and manipulate datasets
• Explore and visualise data effectively
• Apply descriptive and inferential statistics
• Conduct linear and non-linear analyses
• Integrate these skills to investigate applied environmental science questions

Weekly lectures introduce the theory behind the techniques covered in the practical classes. Practical sessions are supported by academic and teaching staff and focus on applying methods to real-world environmental data, including datasets from field studies, time series, and ecological measurements.

Assessment is through four online quizzes and associated practical exercises that give you hands-on experience of the full data analysis workflow, from messy data to interpreted results.

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LAW1016C: A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection

In this module you will be introduced to law in the context of the environment and how important the legal process is in its protection. The module seeks to provide you with an overview of all the different ways in which law can be used to protect the environment and give you the tools to choose which types of law are most suitable in different environmental contexts.

You will develop empathy for the different stakeholders in environmental issues. We will consider pathways to reconcile competing interests in an attempt to strike a balance between developmental or industrial progress and the need to protect our environment.

You are not expected to have any legal knowledge or experience and the module is therefore ideal for students on an interdisciplinary pathway, as well as being a compulsory element of the Environmental Science degree.

The module is designed as an essential foundation for those seeking employment following graduation in an environmental field where a working knowledge of law and policy will be assumed. It also provides an excellent foundation for further legal study.

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CGE1405B: Earth System Science

The Earth consists of a series of interacting natural systems (lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, atmosphere). The interactions between these systems, called feedbacks, are central to analysing the functioning of major aspects of the Earth, such as climate, sea level and biotic evolution. This way of looking at our world is also critical in analysing the human impact on the Earth system and identifying management strategies to mitigate, remediate or predict geological and environmental hazards and impacts, and in identifying resources. This module is therefore about connectedness and the development of an approach to understanding the Earth that emphasises the connections between the components rather than the components themselves. This module requires no prior skills or experience and is particularly suitable for interdisciplinary pathways.

This module aims to:

• Explore our understanding of Earth origins, the evolution of the solar system, of the ocean, the biosphere and the atmosphere.
• Introduce natural systems theory.
• Identify the Earth’s component natural systems and the Earth’s climate system, its forcings and feedbacks.
• Describe plate tectonics and the role of the internal system in determining or controlling rock formation, the sedimentary cycle, the carbon cycle, Earth surface landforms (geomorphology), oceanic gateways and barriers, biotic evolution.
• Analyse orbital and gravitational controls on the Earth: tides, days, seasons, years.
• Explore the influence of tides on the timing and rate of Earth-moon separation.
• Describe solar variability and its impact on Earth climate.
• Describe the Earth’s radiation balance, atmospheric and oceanic circulation and their role in redistributing heat around the Earth.
• Analyse interactions between the hydrosphere and the cryosphere.
• Identify and describe major biogeochemical cycles, in particular the carbon cycle.
• Explore the causes of major climatic changes through geological time.
• Discuss the evolution of hominids and the interactions of humanity with the Earth system.t

The module will involve a fieldwork component involving an investigation of evidence for sea-level change on the Cornish coastline.

This module will help you to develop and extend your awareness of the importance of taught and learnt skills in strengthening employability potential, especially through the application of critical analytical skills (review of scientific literature, simple calculations) to a range of contemporary global challenges, notably climate change and geoengineering. More generally, through attending the fieldwork and weekly lectures, alongside your own independent learning, you will develop the following academic and professional skills:

• fundamental problem solving (linking theory to practice with academic guidance), collaboration (learning about the views and values of others), and audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively, persuading others of the importance and relevance of your views, responding positively and effectively to questions).

The teaching contributions on this module involve elements of research undertaken by staff, such as work on sea-level change (Scourse). Moreover, you are encouraged to undertake enquiry-led learning, specifically through the field component.

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CGE1423: Biodiversity and its Conservation

Most people will be aware that the world is considered to be experiencing a biodiversity crisis. You’ll hear or read about it in the media all the time. But what do we actually mean by biodiversity? Where does it come from and how is it maintained in nature? Why is it important to humanity? How do human activities lead to its decline? What can be done to slow or even halt the decline? In this module, we will address all these questions to give students a solid foundation in the science of biodiversity and an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of biodiversity conservation.

This module will introduce you to the theory and concepts of biodiversity and conservation science. It aims to provide you with a basis on which to build expertise in this area and grow your understanding of how conservation requires input from many disciplines beyond biology.

In addition, you will gain practical experience in some aspects of this field, such as conducting biodiversity surveys, carrying out an IUCN Red List assessment, and planning conservation action.

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POC1026: Power, Inequality and Global Justice

This module will help you to ask critical questions about the assumptions behind contemporary practices of power in the contemporary international system.

You will understand what it means to ask critical questions by exposing and deconstructing a range of empirical practices in world politics. Through this critical questioning, we will explore the issues and possibilities for global justice in the contemporary international system. In this module we will examine a series of questions: How can we think critically? How do we find out what is going on in the world? Why do we obey? Why is the world divided territorially? Do colonialism and slavery belong in the past? Why are some people better off than others? What makes the world dangerous? What can we do to change the world? Who do we think we are? How can we end poverty? You will be exposed to a variety of approaches or 'framings' of world politics and encouraged to develop your own perspectives and reasoned arguments about them.

There are no pre-requisite or co-requisite modules required in order to take this module. This module is particularly recommended for students who intend to pursue modules in International Relations at levels 2 and 3.

The aims of this module are to:

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BEP2030: Business Practice (Placement/Work Experience Project)

Gaining work related experience of a variety of work place situations is invaluable to you as you apply for jobs post-graduation. Research into the graduate recruitment market suggests that lack of previous work experience is likely to detriment entry to graduate employment. . BEP2030 builds on your previous learning and development and expands your professional capability and entrepreneurial awareness through a range of opportunities to engage with organisational practice and the work environment.

This module aims to continue your career and personal development journey, integrating practice and digital capability at a business engagement level. You will link theory and practice through a variety of experiential learning activities. You will develop transferable skills such as communication, networking, self-awareness and team working by working with a number of external businesses as well as collaborating with your peers. You will complete a placement or project and as part of this, have the opportunity to personalise your career development journey.

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BEP2040: Strategic Concepts for Business

Strategic thinking is important for all forms of organisation, and most managers are aware of the critical need to take a long-term view when developing strategy.

This module looks at how strategy is developed and enacted in practice across a variety of organisational contexts, from developing strategic business ideas, to strategy formulation and execution at multiple organisational levels, and with recognition of how a climate changing and digitally inter-linked economy demands decisions that will produce a value-creating strategy.

Students will engage with contemporary business strategy frameworks while critically examining their assumptions and limitations in complex and uncertain environments. Alongside established tools for analysing competitive positioning, capabilities and environments, the module introduces systems thinking, complexity and regenerative perspectives

The aim of the module is to equip students with the ability to strategise in complex, real-world conditions, integrating competitiveness, value creation, sustainability and systems awareness. Students will develop the capacity to analyse strategic issues from multiple perspectives and understand how strategic intent, vision and mission interact with wider economic, social and ecological systems. The module explicitly addresses the implications of the polycrisis for strategic management.

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BEP2060: Research Inquiry for Practice

The Research Inquiry for Practice is a compulsory module on the BSc Business programme. Its core aim is to prepare you for making decisions based on evidence from quantitative (number-based) and qualitative (word-based) data. The module will equip you with core research skills which will allow you to manage your dissertation research project as well as offer research-based advice to businesses in the present, information-driven world.

On completing the module, you will be able to design an appropriate research strategy for data collection, analyse both qualitative and quantitative data, as well as present it in the most impactful way. Finally, you will be familiar with selected software packages to analyse data.

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BEP2150: Ecological Economics

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to ecological economics in theory and practice. You will receive a thorough grounding in macroeconomics and microeconomics, alongside an in-depth knowledge of the economics and policy of environmental pollution, renewable and non-renewable resource use, as well as the connection between globalization and environmental degradation. With this basis, you will be able to identify possible solutions to environmental problems and assist in policy recommendation and decision-making.

This module aims to improve understanding of the link between ecological systems and economic activity. The module introduces core issues in ecological economics, related to micro and macro-economic theory, international trade and policy. Ecological economics is a transdisciplinary approach to economics that incorporates insights from the biological, physical and social sciences. In this module, you will apply ecological economic theory to a set of concrete environmental problems or challenges, in relation to the increasing scale of human impacts and the inequitable distribution of resources, in a way that encourages you to reflect on possible solutions and formulate policy recommendations. Seminars will complement lectures with more case studies and real-life examples.

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BEP2210: Circular Enterprise Economy

There is a mounting interest in rethinking and redesigning business strategies in the context of ever-increasing social-ecological crises. What has become apparent is that the assumption of an ever-expanding economy is not compatible with operating within the planetary boundaries, in a safe and just space for humanity. This calls into question the inherently intertwined relationship between infinite economic growth, business operations, and ever-expanding markets, from raw material extraction to post-consumption disposal and waste. What it is openly questioned is the capacity to sustain endless economic growth on a planet with finite resources, which is not only harmful to the natural ecosystems that support human life but to human life itself. Most notably, expansion, extraction, and pollution/intoxication have been carried out at the expense of human communities, not just natural ecosystems, but also future generations, particularly in the Global South.

Given this background, in this module, we will engage in learning activities that enable students to investigate business strategy in relation to sustainability and circularity as a theme that crosses subject boundaries. The module intends to form and frame a learning path for developing knowledge and understanding of transitioning to more socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and circular business models.

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LAW2016C: Environmental Regulation and Redress

If you are concerned about environmental destruction and ensuring accountability on a global basis, then learning to articulate your argument and back it up with a sound grasp of the law might help you to make a real difference! The module will help you establish a working knowledge of how the law can be used as a mechanism to reconcile competing values in the protection of the environment and seeks to develop an understanding of the legal avenues available to mitigate environmental harm. As an environmentally aware individual, how can you use the law to prevent harm and what can you do if you feel that another individual or business has committed an environmental wrong? How can legal tools be used to redress and repair environmental harm? As you progress through the module, you will discover answers to these and other questions.

You will look at the role of national and international law in setting environmental standards. You will critically reflect on the extent to which the law across the world, including indigenous laws and cultural norms, might be used to embed pro-environmental and sustainable behaviour.

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BEP3002: Business School Industrial Experience (Penryn)

Summary:

This module allows you to undertake and to learn from an extended work placement during the third year of a four year With Industrial Experience 'WIE' programme. To progress to this module, you will have completed BEP2180 in your 2nd year and BEP1130 in 1st year (or be on BSc Business Studies With Industrial Experience programme), and will have secured a suitable placement which has been approved by the Business School.

Having developed the careers management skills necessary for a competitive graduate labour market, this is an invaluable opportunity to put the theory learned into practice in the workplace and to focus on your professional skills development.

Throughout your 'industry' year, you will receive guidance from an academic 'WIE tutor' and the Careers team, who will support and encourage you to fully maximise the developmental opportunities provided by your work experiences. Your personal development will also be supported through the completion of an assessed placement 'WIE PORTFOLIO', submitted in stages as you advance through your placement year.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

You can undertake a work placement in the UK or elsewhere in the world. Overseas placements will be considered on a case-by case basis.

External Engagement

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BEP3100A: Year Abroad (Study and Work Placement)

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to study and work abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'With Year Abroad' programme. With this module you can spend one semester studying at a European or non-European partner institution and 6 months' work placement abroad in a country of your choice.

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By studying at another university and undergoing a work placement abroad as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or not include learning of a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment. You will also have access to a range of modules, potentially in areas not offered at Exeter, taught in a different learning culture and therefore broadening your overall academic experience.

The module introduces you to the experience of academic study outside the UK, and, for some of you, a different language. It aims to challenge preconceptions and assumptions about higher education learning by exposing you to a different approach to academic study.

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BEP3100B: Year Abroad (Study)

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to study abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'With Year Abroad' programme. With this module you can spend an academic year at one of the Business School's European partner institutions, a partner institution outside of Europe, or combine one semester study at a European and one semester at a non-European partner institution.

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By studying at another university as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or may not include learning of a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment. You will also have access to a range of modules, potentially in areas not offered at Exeter, taught in a different learning culture and therefore broadening your overall academic experience.

The module introduces you to the experience of academic study outside the UK, and, for some of you, a different language. It aims to challenge preconceptions and assumptions about higher education learning by exposing you to a different approach to academic study.

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BEP3100C: Year Abroad (Work Placement)

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to work abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'With Year Abroad' programme. To progress to this module, you would have completed BSD2005 and would have found a suitable placement abroad for a minimum of 24 weeks and a maximum of 33 weeks.

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By undergoing a work placement abroad as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or may not include learning a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment.

The module assessment is designed to give you the opportunity to present and evaluate the knowledge and skills that you have developed and gained while on your year abroad work placement.

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BEP3011: Business and Climate Change

This module is specifically designed for flexible learning and engagement with local communities . This module offers the opportunity for multidisciplinary study on a very wicked and complex topic that many businesses , policymakers and communiti es are very concerned about : Climate Change. In the lectures and classes, we will discuss the paradoxical role of business and climate change, addressing the following questions: How does climate change affect business? How can businesses develop climate change and net-zero strategies? How can business es potentially benefit from climate change? How do carbon markets work, and what are their limits and potential? Why do we find it so difficult to adopt less carbon - intensive lifestyles? What is the role of technology? What are the ethical issues that climate change raises? What are the responsibilities of business? How does business (and society at large) adapt to climate change? What does 'net-zero' mean? This module will address such questions, exploring the relationship between business and one of the, if not THE, most important question s of our time. As climate change requires immediate changes in behaviour and systems, w e will also apply our new-gained knowledge in practical settings . Students will form group s to work with local businesses, policymakers , and communities to bring about meaningful climate change action.

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BEP3020: Practice-Based Consultancy Management

This module introduces you to the world of professional consultancy, with a particular focus on sustainability and contemporary business challenges. You’ll explore what consultants do, how the consulting profession works and why organisations increasingly turn to consultants to navigate complex issues.

Through real cases, research tasks, and a live or simulated consulting project, you will learn how to analyse business problems, work effectively with clients, and apply consultancy tools in practice. You’ll develop skills in problem‑solving, communication, professional relationship‑building, and project management—key capabilities for anyone considering consultancy or advisory roles.

You will also examine how consultancy theory translates into real‑world consulting work, gaining insight into client expectations, project protocols, risks and the barriers that affect implementation. Throughout the module, you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your experience, evaluate your impact, and learn how consultants adapt and make sound decisions when information is incomplete or situations are uncertain.

By the end of the module, you will have planned and delivered a consulting project to a defined brief and timeline, communicated your findings professionally and reflected critically on your development as an emerging consultant.

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BEP3050: Future-Facing Dissertation/Project

You will undertake your own in-depth study into a relevant topic related to your degree subject which interests you. Studying independently will provide the benefit of having the opportunity to plan and manage an individual research project, investigating a topic at a level not covered in the taught modules, successfully concluding in an extended written dissertation.

The dissertation will reflect the interdisciplinary and future-focus nature of the BSc Business programme and could also be linked to a work placement experience. Developing either a thematic dissertation or work related dissertation, or a 'hybrid' of the two could advance your employability. You will also develop your research and comprehension skills, and be able to articulate your selected specialism.

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BEP3130: Biomimicry

This module considers the tools and principles of biomimicry, a new discipline that emulates nature's best ideas and blueprints to solve human design challenges and to inspire innovative solutions. You will learn how nature inspired concepts can advance regenerative solutions to develop novel products, processes and organisations. In this module you will apply and adapt ecological concepts to develop innovative business strategies. In addition, you will have the opportunity to discover innovative examples of organisations worldwide who take inspiration from this approach.

This module aims to engage you on how to learn from nature. You will be inspired to create novel sustainable design, organizations and enterprises through accessing the wealth of ecological information available and applying it effectively to product and business design. This module introduces biomimicry, a new discipline that emulates nature's best ideas and blueprints to solve human and societal challenges.

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