Environmental Science
Environmental Science is the application of scientific knowledge to the human
environment. While ecology, the study of the interaction between organisms and their
environment, constitutes the core of environmental science, many other disciplines
contribute. The essence of environmental science is its multidisciplinary nature and a
well-trained environmental scientist will be able to integrate information from many
disciplines. The intention of the Environmental Science Option is to provide graduates
with an informed awareness of global and national environmental issues together with the
scientific skills to be able to do something about the problems.
Environmental Science often finds itself emoiled in controversy. It is not that the science
itself is controversial, but that the economic and political dimensions of the issue, which
are addressed by environmental science, are among the most contentious faced by
society. Sustainability is the key word here and sustainability issues are particularly
powerful in New Zealand where the image and rhetoric of clean and green is hardly
matched by the reality, yet where it is most likely that a transition to a more sustainable
lifestyle could come sooner than the rest of the world. Make no mistake about it, we will
have to make the transition to sustainability, and the extent and depth of our knowledge of
our environment will probably determine whether we make a soft or a hard landing in this
millennium. Environmental science is one of the tools we can use to more sustainably
manage our environment. It is an important anch of science, practical as well as
theoretical, applied as well as conceptual, changing as fast as the technology allows, and
oadly interdisciplinary in its approach. Indeed, environmental science is sustainability
science.
Environmental Science students must obtain a major in a related Science subject, as well
as taking the course for the Environmental Science Option. Students who wish to study in
this area should take 121.103, 145.121 and 189.141 in their first year, as well as the first
year paper(s) for their chosen major.
Dr Mike Joy
Senior Lecturer
Ecology Group
Institute of Natural Resources
College of Sciences |
