都柏林城市大学

Climate change, species extinction, pollution, managing waste and recycling are huge challenges that we face and are now at the forefront of public discourse and debate.

These are complex phenomena that we must understand in order to address. Environmental scientists are needed to provide technical solutions and advanced innovations through the application of chemistry, physics and biology.

This degree explores the environment, the technologies used for its analysis, and how it is impacted by our activities from a scientific perspective. Students will consider and probe the problems we face and investigate means for reducing our negative impact on the environment.

About the course

This is a four-year full-time degree course. The four years are broken down as follows:

Year One: learning and developing essential background knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology that are the basis for a career in environmental science. The first field trip occurs in semester 2.

Year Two: building on the four areas of study in year one from an environmental viewpoint, as well as developing IT and computing skills. Modules include Microbiology and Genetics, Pollution and Biosphere, Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis. Field trips in several subjects.

Year Three: Climate Change science is introduced, and the study of climate is encouraged through field work and modules such as Environmental Monitoring & Data Analysis. Students continue to develop in environmental aspects of biotechnology, chemistry and physics. Modules include Atmospheric and Aquatic Science and students have the opportunity to gain experience on a paid work (INTRA) placement. This placement can be anywhere that is environmentally relevant. Practical work is conducted in laboratories and through onsite and field trip visits.

Year Four: Specialised modules include Toxicology, Meteorology, Renewable Energy, Soil and Waste Management. Additionally, students will carry out a semester-long research project, with environmentally relevant topics offered from across the entire Science and Health faculty.

Careers

The potential careers in environmental science and technology are diverse. The following are just some examples:

• Any area of environmental research, e.g. global warming, local or regional air, water and soil pollution in universities, public bodies such as the county councils and industry (e.g. Techworks Marine)
• Environmental protection roles in industry such as pharmaceutical (e.g. Bristol Myers Squibb), manufacturing (e.g. Ipsen Manufacturing Ireland Ltd), semi-conductor (e.g. Intel), the County Councils, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and consultancy companies
• Waste management roles in companies such as Enrich Environmental Ltd and Covanta
• Water protection and wastewater treatment in, for example the county councils Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland and private consultancy companies such as Aquafact International Services Ltd
• Environmental analytical roles in companies such as IAS Laboratories and public bodies such as Irish Water and Teagasc
• Environmental advocacy for entities such as An Taisce and Global Action Plan
• Parks and Wildlife officer in, for example the National Parks and Wildlife Service
• The marine industry, e.g. BIM, Altemar Environmental consultants
• Research funding bodies such Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
• Green Economy, e.g. The Green Economy Foundation
• The agricultural industry, e.g. environmental officer with the Department of Agriculture, EPA and the many consultancies involved in this industry

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental Officer

Pollution Control

Waste Management

Wastewater Treatment

Water Management