Climate and Environmental Sustainability

Are you passionate about the environment, and interested in climate change? Then the BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability is for you! The scale and pace of change caused by humans to all aspects of the environment globally in the last 100 years are so significant that we now threaten our very own existence. Issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss are having extensive environmental, economic, and social impacts worldwide. These are issues that already affect current generations and are set to have significant implications for future generations. Through the lens of geographical sciences, this innovative programme will prepare students for work in climate and environmental-related fields. Organizations are increasingly relying on location intelligence to make decisions and students in this programme will gain invaluable skills in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), to learn how to gather and analyse spatial and climate data. Students will also engage with such topics as climates and climate change, environmental history, the evolution of Ireland’s physical landscape and sustainable environments and policy. Students will study modules in climate science, geography, environmental policy Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing. During the programme, you will gain analytical, research, teamwork and problem-solving skills that will be attractive to a range of employers. You will be studying innovative modules such as Sustainable Food Security, Environmental Change and Human Health, Natural Ecosystem Solutions and complementary modules that are drawn from the Geography offering on other programmes. You will also engage in a residential field module as an integral part of this programme, which provides an opportunity to collect environmental data and engage with environmental and climate issues at a local scale, as well as encouraging learning from seeing real-life challenges. This includes visiting case study sites where environmental change is occurring and examining the main challenges facing Ireland. Some of the issues you can expect to engage with here are related to improving water quality, managing biodiversity, and dealing with climate change from both physical and human geography perspectives. The course structure is designed to enhance learning related to climate change and environmental sustainability across multiple disciplines (e.g., Geography, Earth Science, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Biology, and Physics). Specifically, students will be studying innovative modules such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Biogeography, Historical Climates, Sustainable Food Security, Environmental Change and Human Health, Natural Ecosystem Solutions, and complementary modules that are drawn from the Geography offered in other programmes. The uniqueness of the BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability is that modules in all years will comprise a largely balanced approach to both natural and social science modules related to geography, climate and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, students have the possibility of studying for a year abroad after Year 2, and can also opt to apply for a year-long INTRA work placement in Year Three. This opportunity provides students with excellent experience and a valuable professional network while still in university.