Key Learning Outcomes
Environmental Sciences Technology program prepares students for careers as leaders in understanding and addressing complex environmental issues from a problem-oriented, interdisciplinary perspective.
Once Environmental Sciences Technology program completed, students will be able to:
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Master core concepts and methods from ecological and physical sciences and their application in environmental problem solving.
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Master core concepts and methods from economic, political, and social analysis as they pertain to the design and evaluation of environmental policies and institutions.
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Appreciate the ethical, cross-cultural, and historical context of environmental issues and the links between human and natural systems.
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Understand the transnational character of environmental problems and ways of addressing them, including interactions across local to global scales.
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Apply systems concepts and methodologies to analyze and understand interactions between social and environmental processes.
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Reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.
Upon completion of this degree program you will:
At the end of the course students who have successfully completed their studies will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge and understanding of:
a) Earth systems, including selected surface and near-surface physical, chemical, biological and anthropogenic processes, and interrelationships between the various systems.
b) Processes being influenced by different temporal and spatial scales and their influence on and by human activities.
c) Subject-specific terminology, nomenclature and classification.
d) Methods of acquiring, interpreting and analyzing information with a critical understanding of the applications to environmental science.
e) Issues concerning the availability and sustainability of resources.
f) A range of approaches and methods appropriate to embark on a career in environmental science.
g) The relevance of the knowledge and skills acquired on their course to professional activity, responsible citizenship and the world of work.
Cognitive and intellectual skills:
a. Recognize moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciate the need for professional codes of conduct.
b) Recognize and use subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles.
c) Search for, analyze, synthesize and summarize information critically, including past research.
d) Collect and integrate several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses.
e) Apply knowledge and understanding to complex and multidimensional problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
f) Problem-solving relating to environmental phenomena.
g) Use scientific information to inform decision making processes
h) Critically examine concepts and applications of sustainability and sustainable development.
Practical skills relevant to employment:
a) Plan, conduct and report on investigations, including the use of secondary data.
b) Collect record and analyze data using appropriate techniques in the field and the laboratory including GIS.
c) Undertake field and laboratory investigations in a safe and responsible manner, completing and responding to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders.
d) Apply methods of prioritisation and manage limited resources effectively and optimally;
e) Communicate effectively with individuals and organizations;
f) Recognise moral/ethical dilemmas and issues.
Transferable/key skills:
a) Receive and respond to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, verbal, graphical).
b) Communicate appropriately and effectively with a variety of audiences in written, oral and graphical forms.
c) Appreciate issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory.
d) Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques and packages.
e) Solve numerical problems using computer-based and non-computer-based techniques.
f) Use the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information.
g) Identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities and perform accordingly.
h) Recognize and respect diverse views and opinions.
i) Evaluate own and team performance.
j) Develop skills for self-management, identification and attainment of targets and a flexible approach to study and work.
Literacy
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Locate, evaluate and synthesize information from the scientific literature
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Evaluate information from popular electronic and print media
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Think analytically and independently
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Engage in self-directed learning outside of the classroom or laboratory
Communication
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Communicate science effectively, with appropriate use of scientific terminology, through written work (including research reports) and oral presentations to a variety of audiences
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Be able to debate environmental science with use of appropriate scientific information
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Be able to write a research report
Core environmental science concepts
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Understand how interactions between organisms and their environments drive the dynamics of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems
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Recognize the ecological basis for regional and global environmental issues
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Understand the processes and patterns of evolution, and the role of evolution as the central unifying concept in environmental science
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Understand the historical and social context of environmental science thought and research, and the contributions of environmental science to the resolution of ethical, social, and environmental issues in human affairs
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Develop an in-depth understanding of the interdisciplinary relationship of cultural, ethical, and social aspects of local/global environmental issues
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General skills
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Demonstrate ethical conduct in all scientific activities
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Understand legislation governing environmental research and the environment in Cyprus and in EU
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Integrate facts, concepts, and methods from multiple disciplines and apply to environmental problems
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Use quantitative reasoning, observation, technical and analytical skills for scientific problem-solving and interpretation of environmental data
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Work well independently and in small groups;
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Show self-direction and motivation, and contribute to group work;
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Learn cooperatively and work in teams
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Design and evaluate strategies, technologies, and methods for assessment and sustainable management of environmental systems and for the remediation or restoration of degraded environments
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Characterize and analyze human impacts on the environment
Research skills
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Maintain proper research records
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Use current laboratory and field instrumentation, computer applications (including GIS) and statistical techniques in the collection, organization, analysis and interpretation of data
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Design, conduct, report and defend a year-long independent laboratory or field-based research project
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Laboratory skills
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Use common chemical and biological techniques for the analysis of environmental samples
Field skills
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Collect field samples
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Describe and assess the status of terrestrial and aquatic sites