Environmental Studies

Almost every area of science is concerned with environmental issues, with solving environmental problems and with improving and conserving our environment. Environmental studies is the examination of the human interactions with the natural and built environment. It encapsulates the fundamental social aspects of sustainability, environmental impact, law, ethics, development, energy use, economics and politics.

In order to adequately cover the material, the units are taught by various staff from within the Faculties of Science, Architecture and Law. The result is a set of units that are complimentary to studies not only in the physical and natural Science disciplines but also to the social disciplines.

www.usyd.edu.au/envsci

What will you study?

Administered by the School of Geosciences, Environmental Studies investigates the social and management aspects of geography.

The Intermediate units introduce some of the applied science that is necessary for an environmental scientist. The first semester unit examines the role of conservation biology and applied ecology in environmental science, examining pattern and process in natural systems and evaluating how these are being affected by pervasive anthropogenic impacts. Focusing on the conservation, assessment of impacts and the restoration of natural systems, the unit considers the range of ecological issues environmental scientists must address. The semester two unit investigates the physical and chemical characteristics of our atmosphere, as well as the natural and anthropogenic processes that occur within it and how these contribute to the climate we live in. Topics such as atmospheric structure, photochemical processes, ocean circulation, and climate change are explored.

The senior units introduce social and management issues, for example, providing an overview of all laws in Australia pertaining to environmental matters. The senior units also investigate a number of environmental issues at the various levels of analysis, policy making, implementation and enforcement, and dispute resolution. Another unit explores energy - its sources, uses, and alternatives, and the various social implications involved in each.

A third unit looks at natural resource and environmental economics, introducing a set of tools and methods used in their practice, as well as urban and regional planning and development and the policies and controls relevant to both. The fourth unit seeks to establish a critical understanding of the theory and practice of environmental impact studies/statements (EIS) and environmental impact assessment processes (EIA) from both the positive (scientific) and normative (value) perspectives.Students who wish to create a program of study which encompasses environmental science should complete a double major in Environmental Studies and another science discipline.

How can you study Environmental Studies?

You can undertake all of the environmental studies units within many science degrees, including the BSc, BSc (Marine Science), BST, Liberal Studies and other degrees.

Honours and further study

Students who qualify at the end of their undergraduate degree can apply to complete Honours in environmental studies.

Postgraduate research and coursework programs are also available to suitably qualified students, and currently there are 40 postgraduate environmental science students involved in these various programs.

Career Opportunities

A majority of graduates pursue careers in government funded organisations (such as National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney Water, CSIRO, EPA), in local government, or in the multitude of private consultancies that now exist. Employment opportunities also exist in land management and soil conservation, other conservation and environmental planning groups, environmental education and ecotourism.

There are increasing career opportunities in consultancy work for large government and industrial organisations, smaller community-based organisations and private consultancy firms involved in preparing environmental impact statements, monitoring and rehabilitation.