Environmental Science is a multifaceted field of inquiry that focuses on interactions between the solid Earth, its water, its air and its living organisms, and on dynamic, interdependent relationships that have developed between these four components.
Environmental scientists consider how these interrelationships produce environmental change at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. To do this, they integrate knowledge, concepts, data, models and methods drawn from several fields of natural sciences. Environmental scientists strive to understand past and present processes so that reliable and scientifically-defensible predictions can be made about the future.
Environmental scientists and specialists are committed to combating pollution, enforcing policy, and promoting sustainable practices. They must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop science-based policies and actions that protect the environment and maintain or improve society's quality of life.
There is an ever-increasing need of environmental scientists as a result of the emerging challenges, mainly related to the chain reaction impacts of climate change, as well as the assessment and legislation needs of adaptation and mitigation measures.
The Environmental Science B.Sc. (new program subject to approval from Cardiff Met) at Perrotis College aims to give students:
- knowledge in environmental science and an appreciation of how this multidisciplinary knowledge can be used to understand contemporary issues
- understanding of the continuously changing dynamics of three interacting systems: the geosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere
- appreciation of the complex interactions, involving multiple parallel processes, that continually change environmental systems over a range of timescales
- understanding of how environmental science knowledge has evolved over time; is used in a variety of contexts; and influences, and is influenced by, social, economic, cultural and ethical considerations
- ability to conduct a variety of field, research and laboratory investigations involving collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, and interpretation of evidence
- ability to critically evaluate environmental science concepts, interpretations, claims and conclusions with reference to evidence
- ability to communicate environmental understanding, findings, arguments and conclusions using appropriate representations, modes and genres
- develop wide subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue further programmes of study or careers in related practice
- develop personal transferable skills to enable a significant proportion of graduates to pursue further programmes of study or careers in non-cognate fields.