Environmental Science

What does the course involve?

A holistic subject with many interconnected systems and processes. A change in one area can affect many other processes over different spatial and temporal scales. You’ll develop an understanding of how human society relies upon natural systems for resources and as a life support system. You’ll also consider how changes in society can produce sustainable lifestyles.

Course Outline

1. The living environment
Conditions for life on earth
Conservation of biodiversity
Life processes in the biosphere and conservation planning
2. The physical environment
The atmosphere
The hydrosphere
Mineral resources
Biogeochemical cycles
Soils
3. Energy resources
The importance of energy supplies in the development of society
The impact of the features of energy resources and their use
The sustainability of current energy resource exploitation
Strategies to secure future energy supplies
4. Pollution
The properties of pollutants
How environmental features affect the severity of pollution
Strategies to control pollutants based on their properties and features of the environment
5. Biological resources
Agriculture
Aquatic food production systems
Forest resources
6. Sustainability
Dynamic equilibria
Energy
Mineral cycles
Circular economy
7. Research method

Assessments
Students must complete 4 days of fieldwork.