With global warming and environmental issues, study in Environmental Science will prepare students and practitioners to deal with new changes and challenges, says Dr lambert Bräu
Global warming and environmental issues are set to dominate business processes in the coming years. legislative action across Governments and internationally coordinated steps are forcing companies to negotiate with both coercive measures as well as incentives, as we begin to decode the impact of climate change. Managements are highly aware of the importance the world is according this phenomenon. New opportunities in environmental management have spawned and a need for qualified professionals is echoing across the world.
Academia has responded to this challenge with new courses that prepare students and practitioners for this new environment of change and challenges. Universities are offering courses designed to address this new market with a number of specialised options of study. For example there is a degree programme in Environmental Science with specialisation in Wildlife and Conservation Biology or Environment Management and Sustainability.
Environmental Management & Sustainability
Environmental Management is a multi-disciplinary field which focuses on finding solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental problems. It provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the functioning and management of the complex interactions between the biological, physical, social, economic and political worlds. The Bachelor of Environmental Science in Environmental Management and Sustainability gives students the knowledge and skills to work towards a more sustainable future by combining an understanding of environmental systems and the communities that depend on them. It is highly topical and relevant, providing students the skills and knowledge to manage the complex interactions between people and the environment. It also focuses on satisfying society’s needs for clean water, fresh air and healthy soils through the sustainable use of natural resources, environments and ecosystem services.
A graduate in this course can pursue career opportunities in environmental planning, environmental policy, sustainability, environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, industry-based environmental management, waste management, environmental education, catchment management, water resource management, land rehabilitation, pollution control, environmental science, conservation, and coastal and park management.
In addition to learning about environmental processes and biophysical systems, the course focuses on giving students opportunities to learn about the social, economic and political contexts for environmental management. Through local, national and international case studies, students are able to learn about and acknowledge human uses and values of diverse environments and gain skills to measure and monitor how these have changed and will change over time. Fundamental to the course is a strong focus on human impacts upon the environment (biophysical and social environments). Students learn how to measure and assess environmental impacts, risks and how to develop solutions to address environmental problems.
Besides developing a broad and coherent knowledge of environmental science and a depth of knowledge in environmental management and sustainability, students develop a range of more generic skills needed to work effectively, safely and ethically. Skills in communication, teamwork, digital literacy, critical thinking and problem solving are all developed so students graduate with the tools they need to contribute in the workforce. There is a strong emphasis on giving students the opportunity to gain work and technical experience with hands-on field and professional practice components in each year of the course. Government and industry partners regularly contribute to the course content and student experiences to ensure graduates are job ready.
Wildlife & Conservation Biology
The Bachelor of Environmental Science in Wildlife and Conservation Biology is designed to provide theoretical and practical expertise in a range of biological, ecological and environmental processes and issues associated with the management and conservation of wildlife populations and the conservation of biodiversity. It includes disciplines like biodiversity, wildlife ecology, landscape and vegetation management, conservation, animal biology and park management.
Graduates in this course are qualified for a career in wildlife conservation and management, and environmental science, and ready to take up challenging roles such as wildlife officers, conservation officers, wildlife managers, park rangers, project officers, research scientists, wildlife biologists, conservation biologists and landscape ecologists.
The objectives and general philosophy of the course are to provide knowledge, understanding and skills (specific and generic) in the interdisciplinary study of the interactions of wildlife species, particularly those of conservation significance, with their environment.
Students are also given the opportunity to gain an understanding of culturally diverse practices in wildlife and conservation biology. The opportunity to gain insights into alternative viewpoints is invaluable to graduates, in a time of globalisation where students may potentially work in regions, or countries where western practices are not dominant.
Strong analytical skills are required to work in the field. This course aims to produce graduates that are capable of designing ecological research, analysing ecological data and presenting research data in multiple ways. A basic understanding of research is critical to graduates, even to those who pursue careers as practitioners, because they effectively direct research and adapt their activities on the basis of research outcomes.The professional development component of the course is designed to encourage students to develop skills that will be invaluable to potential employers in the field of wildlife and conservation biology.
(The writer is associate head of school, development and international, School of life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia)