The Nature journal defines Environmental Science as the “multidisciplinary study of all aspects of the Earth’s physical and biological environments”. It contains some of the following topics “environmental chemistry, soil science, ecology, marine and freshwater systems as well as environmental remediation (removal of pollution/contaminants from the environmental media) or preservation and land use”.
Environmental catastrophes such as the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill in the United States have trigger the general public. The need to understand natural earth processes as well as limit the human impact on the environment by analysing complex problems are key for environmental scientists. Such examples are natural resource management, climate change and pollution control. Recent published articles in the field include world views of pesticides, innovative technologies for water purification and the effects of rising CO2 on plant communities.
More specific examples of covered fields include:
- Ecology: a branch of biology dealing with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. Imagine that a chemical factory has been built next to a river, the released air and water pollution could negatively impact the biodiversity (life diversity in a particular environment) and ecosystem (biological community of interacting organisms and their habitat). Research fields would include how this pollution specifically affects the different organisms ie killing some while allowing others to emerge.
- Environmental Chemistry: refers to the study of chemical modifications in the environment particularly in the water, air, earth. Both the naturally occurring chemicals such as the dead biomass within the soil (organic debris) and synthetic chemicals (pesticides, toxins) are of equal interest. This is of growing importance in our modern society where the ozone layer (Earth’s upper atmosphere that protects life from the Sun’s UV radiation) is “pierced” and environments are contaminated.
Environmental studies differ from Environmental Sciences which focuses more on the human relationship with the environment as well as all the social and political dimensions. This is important to guide international policy making particularly the climate-change protocols.
Featured Courses
The CPD accredited courses are carefully crafted to help you gain in-depth knowledge on a topic of your interest.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
This intermediate-level course provides a thorough overview of the field of next-generation sequencing, from its properties and strength and its major applications, to an overview of a typical sequencing workflow.
Molecular Microbiology
Molecular microbiology is a very progressive field of science, there is an enormous demand to understand the omnipresent microbes influencing our everyday life on sub-cellular level, which will be subject of this course.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is one of the youngest disciplines providing a novel way into treating diseases.
Cancer Biology: Exploring the Molecular and Genetic Aspects
This is an intermediate-level course that explores the molecular and genetic basis of cancer, its evolution, and cancer immunology.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is one of the most advanced and fastest growing sciences. The beginning of the 21st century has seen huge developments in techniques to study and understand how the brain works.
CRISPR: Revolutionising Genome Editing
This advanced-level course is designed to develop an understanding of complex concepts related to genomics, particularly CRISPR/Cas technology and its applications...
With the predicted ten billion people inhabiting our planet in 2050, do you want to address topics such as the depletion of natural resources and pollution soar? Do you wish to take on a natural and social scientist perspective by proposing sustainable solutions to these environmental problems? You should consider enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences to help shape the policies of tomorrow!
