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.

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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the Program, the student should be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of:

• The key areas of Environmental Science, such as Climate Change and Integrated Environmental Impact Analysis.
• The techniques used for environmental monitoring.
• The use of emerging technologies (remote sensing, drones, sensors and internet of things - IoT) and informatics systems for continuous environmental monitoring.
• The physicochemical processes that govern environmental processes.
• Quantitative and qualitative approaches to acquiring and interpreting data related to environmental processes.
• The methodologies for carrying out environmental risk analysis.
• A systems approach to understanding the present and past interactions between the processes operating in the lithosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
• The management of natural and human-induced environmental changes
• The socioeconomic framework of environmental pollution.
• The interface between environmental science and policy.

Cognitive Skills

On successful completion of the Program, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Conduct appropriate research among the various environmental science domains.
• Identify key drivers of environmental pollution in local and region scale problems.
• Develop a study design for effecting environmental monitoring and assessment.
• Develop the ability to communicate scientific results in various type of audience (scientific, policy makers, relevant stakeholders).

Graduate Attributes

On successful completion graduates should have developed the following set of 8 generic graduate attributes:

• Problem Solving and Analytical Ability
• Analysing, Synthesising And Summarising Information Critically, Including Prior Research
• Inter-personal Skills and Networking
• Global Citizenship (Diversity and Sustainability)
• Flexibility and Adaptability (Life-long Learning)
• Effective Communication
• Creative and Innovative Thinking
• Multidisciplinary approach