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Facilities

Whether your subject matter is plant or animal material, soil, sediment or water, our range of specialist and general use facilities will support you. Throughout your work, whether undergraduate, postgraduate or research, you will be able to measure, analyse, experiment and model the elements that make up our environment.

The department of Engineering and Environment at Northumbria is based across campus, but is particularly housed in Ellison Building. 

Ellison Building

Ellison Building consists of lots of different learning environments - study spaces, lecture theatres, collaborative work spaces, and laboratories. 

Some of the specialist laboratories open to Geography and Environmental Science students include:

Qualitative Research Suite

This is a dedicated space for staff and students to undertake qualitative research including interviews, focus groups and small group workshops. The Suite is equipped with audio and visual recording capabilities, specialist transcription and analysis software, a large screen television and is soundproofed for privacy. The space can also be used to analyse sensitive information not suitable for use in open access study areas.

Geography Measurement and Analysis Laboratory

This multi-purpose laboratory has flexible bench space to enable you to work on a variety of projects. Get up close with pollen, fauna and sediments using transmitted and incident light microscopes, spectrophotometers and a mastersizer for particle size analysis. Experiment using a wide range of laboratory equipment, with fume hoods for chemical extraction work. Go on to model your findings using our specialist 3D software, or our general and specialist ecological statistical packages, or undertake environmental dispersion modelling.

Palaeo and Environmental Research Laboratory

From peat and lake cores, to cave deposits and flowers, this space is intended for research use and to allow our specialist technicians to prepare samples, such as pollen extracts. In here you will find a mass spectrometer, elemental analyser, high precision drill, centrifuges, refrigeration and fume hoods, as well as a dedicated space for chemical extraction work linked to research in environmental geochemistry and health.

Soil and Sediment Processing Laboratory

This dedicated space allows you to prepare sediments and soils for analysis, as well as carry out slope stability experiments – particularly for those doing dissertation research. Sediment and soil sieves, an oven, furnace, refrigerator, Tullgren funnels and slope stability equipment will all help you to achieve your research objectives.

Throughout your time at Northumbria, you will also have access to use study spaces such as:

The Zone

The Zone is a recently opened 24/7 light and airy open plan area popular with students undertaking group work or individual study. Computer work stations with large screens help students tackle group assignments comfortably.

The Hub

The Hub is a working space with computer stations and large round tables to facilitate individual working and group work. Based on the second floor of Ellison Building B-block, it is ideally located for breaks in lectures and seminars. 


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Geography and Environmental Sciences Courses

With a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning Geography and Environmental Sciences courses, whatever you want to get out of university, let us show you why you want Northumbria University, Newcastle!

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Geography and Environmental Sciences Staff

Our Geography and Environmental Sciences students learn from the best – inspirational academic staff with a genuine passion for their subject. Our courses are at the forefront of current knowledge and practice and are shaped by world-leading and internationally excellent research.

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Undergraduate Open Day Events

Looking to study in with us in September? Our Undergraduate Open Day Events are the perfect opportunity for you to find out as much as you can about our wide range of courses and world-class facilities.

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Front row, L-R: Professor Matthew Johnson from Northumbria University and Piotr Mahey from ACCESS: Policy are pictured with members of the ACCESS: Policy team (left) and Northumbria University students (right) selected to be part of the first ACCESS: Climate and Environment programme.
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