Environmental Studies

Study in the discipline of Environmental Studies is offered by the School of Geosciences in the Faculty of Science. Units of study in this major are available at standard and advanced level.

About the major

Environmental Studies is the examination of the social, economic and regulatory contexts that surround the management and monitoring of environmental and ecosystem health.

Environmental Studies incorporates the study of both social and bio-physical phenomena within their regulatory and policy frameworks, and is therefore inherently multi-disciplinary. It provides students with an understanding of the governance frames in which their professional careers in the environment sector will operate. It encapsulates the fundamental aspects of sustainability, environmental assessment, law, ethics, development, energy use, economics and politics. Consequently, the Environmental Studies major strongly complements studies in the physical and natural science disciplines as well as social science disciplines.

Requirements for completion

The Environmental Studies major and minor requirements are listed in the Environmental Studies unit of study table.

Contact and further information

W School of Geosciences
E
T +61 2 9351 4796

Address:
School of Geosciences
Room 348, Madsen Building F09
University of Sydney NSW 2006

A. Prof. Jeff Neilson
T +61 2 9351 4733
E

Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from Environmental Studies will be able to:

1. Exhibit a broad and comprehensive understanding of fundamental concepts and methods in natural and social sciences, and of how these apply to practice, policies and institutions relevant to environmental issues.
2. Examine natural environments, resources and management in the context of contemporary Australian regulatory and policy frameworks.
3. Work competently, confidently and safely in field and laboratory environments.
4. Source, collate, synthesise and critically evaluate information in environmental studies from a range of relevant sources.
5. Apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to address a variety of environmental issues in a range of contexts.
6. Communicate concepts and findings in environmental studies to diverse audiences through multiple modes, using logical arguments and responding effectively to scrutiny.
7. Integrate and apply perspectives on complex environmental issues from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.
8. Address authentic problems in environmental studies, working professionally and responsibly within diverse, interdisciplinary teams.
9. Critically reflect on the ethical, social and cross-cultural contexts within which environmental issues are situated.
10. Examine and evaluate contemporary environmental and social issues from a range of ethical, disciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives.