Climate change, species extinction, pollution, managing waste and recycling are huge challenges that we face and are now at the forefront of public discourse and debate.
These are complex phenomena that we must understand in order to address. Environmental scientists are needed to provide technical solutions and advanced innovations through the application of chemistry, physics and biology.
This degree explores the environment, the technologies used for its analysis, and how it is impacted by our activities from a scientific perspective. Students will consider and probe the problems we face and investigate means for reducing our negative impact on the environment.
Careers
The potential careers in environmental science and technology are diverse. The following are just some examples:
- Any area of environmental research, e.g. global warming, local or regional air, water and soil pollution in universities, public bodies such as the county councils and industry (e.g. Techworks Marine)
- Environmental protection roles in industry such as pharmaceutical (e.g. Bristol Myers Squibb), manufacturing (e.g. Ipsen Manufacturing Ireland Ltd), semi-conductor (e.g. Intel), the County Councils, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and consultancy companies
- Waste management roles in companies such as Enrich Environmental Ltd and Covanta
- Water protection and wastewater treatment in, for example the county councils Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland and private consultancy companies such as Aquafact International Services Ltd
- Environmental analytical roles in companies such as IAS Laboratories and public bodies such as Irish Water and Teagasc
- Environmental advocacy for entities such as An Taisce and Global Action Plan
- Parks and Wildlife officer in, for example the National Parks and Wildlife Service
- The marine industry, e.g. BIM, Altemar Environmental consultants
- Research funding bodies such Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
- Green Economy, e.g. The Green Economy Foundation
- The agricultural industry, e.g. environmental officer with the Department of Agriculture, EPA and the many consultancies involved in this industry
Further Information:
BSc in Environmental Science and Technology
