All your education questions answered by Brian Mooney
I am a Leaving Certificate student living in Limerick, and I am interested in studying environmental science. Could you clarify the subjects studied in taking such a degree, and which colleges offer this option at level eight? I am also interested in finding out what possible careers are open to those with a degree in this field and what opportunities there are for postgraduate study.
There are six programmes that may interest you. They are:
LM066, Environmental Science, University of Limerick, Level 8 NFQ, 335
GY308, Science - Environmental, NUI Galway, Level 8 NFQ, 340
SG441, Science - Environmental and Technology, Institute of Technology Sligo, Level 8 NFQ, 300
DC166, Science - Environmental and Health, Dublin City University, Level 8 NFQ, 355
DN044, Sciences - Agri- Environmental, UCD Dublin, Level 8 NFQ, 320
CK404, Sciences - Environmental and Earth System, University College Cork, Level 8 NFQ, 310
As you are living in Limerick, I will outline the programme and career opportunities that the LM066 programme offers. If you wish to explore details of any of the other five courses outlined below, full details can be found on www.qualifax.ie.
The programme of study
The UL degree is a four-year programme. Early modules are concerned with building up the student's understanding of science relevant to the environment (biology, ecology, chemistry, computing, maths and physics). The basic concepts used in these subjects are applied to specific environmental science applications.
Later modules in the programme focus on the areas of environmental management, environmental technology, environmental impact assessment, waste management, environmental monitoring and health and safety.
In the third year, UL organises co-operative education for all students. This is a period of approximately eight months of paid employment for the student in a position which is relevant to environmental science. This placement benefits the student in a number of ways in that it
Facilitates the student in applying understanding, techniques and knowledge acquired in the University to the workplace environment.
Provides the student with significant environmental experience, which may be advantageous when seeking a position on graduation.
Allows the student to gain an understanding of the social context of the workplace environment.
In the final year of the programme, students undertake a research project in some aspect of environmental science. A faculty member with specific expertise in the area supervises the project and the project runs over both semesters.
Career opportunities
There is a strong demand for BSc environmental science graduates in industry, State agencies, consultancy companies and local authorities. These environmental professional positions may entail managing waste, implementing environmental management systems, developing new and cleaner technologies, monitoring pollutant levels, environmental impact assessment in relation to new developments and management of health and safety in the work environment. There are smaller numbers of jobs available in conservation.
The national development plan will greatly increase the demand for environmental professionals in the coming years. One specific advantage of the BSc environmental science qualification is that the graduate is equipped with the skills and environmental knowledge to gain employment across a range of industrial sectors along with consultancy groups, local authorities and other organisations.
Graduates are employed in:
Chemical and biotechnology- based industry
Energy generation
Electronics manufacture
Environmental protection industries
Transport sector
Construction/mining industries
Environmental consultancy companies
Local authorities
Environmental Protection Agency
Teaching
Postgraduate opportunities
I am aware of a number of postgraduate opportunities in this field. There is a Master's in applied science in environmental science at University College Dublin, a doctorate of environmental science offered by the University of Ulster - Coleraine and a doctorate in ecotoxicology and environmental science at Athlone Institute of Technology.
This is not by any means the totality of postgraduate opportunities available but simply a small sample of options available at postgraduate level.
