Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability

Overview

Students in Environmental Science and Sustainability have an interest in science and environmental issues. The degree concentrates on topics involving environmental sustainability, an established ideology that promotes environmentally-conscious living and development. Courses will discuss local and global environmental topics from a social, political, economic and ethical perspective, giving students the necessary comprehensive approach in dealing with the UAE’s complex environmental challenges. This is driven by the changing 21st-century landscape, where climate change, the need for efficient use of limited natural resources including energy and water, biodiversity loss, and deteriorating living conditions involving transportation, food safety, health, and other issues demand environmentally friendly solutions. Courses will impart knowledge and skills in all basic sciences, and research, as well as the analysis of environmental and sustainability problems, and the development of strategies to address these.

The study of the environment requires a solid understanding of the sciences, and this preparation could be used for graduate medical studies as students will be able to achieve all requirements for pre-med, provided that the elective outside the program is a psychology course. Career paths are therefore flexible and can either lead to environmental careers, or to graduate studies such as medicine, or any other discipline which requires solid scientific preparation. Careers in environmental science include environmental protection, environmental management, sustainable technologies, environmental health, environmental science, sustainability science, or energy science.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Conceptual Knowledge: The student will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and their application to environmental issues including environmental sustainability, health, waste management, biodiversity conservation, environmental hazards, energy, and earth systems.
2. Communication Skills: The student will explain environmental science and sustainability concepts using the related terminology in context, and will formulate content using advanced written, oral and visual communication skills.
3. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: The student will critically assess the information from various sources to develop logical and coherent arguments and evaluate practical and sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
4. Research Skills: The student will demonstrate a strong understanding of scientific methods and approaches to collect and analyze scientific data and will apply this knowledge using scientific tools and techniques during practical field and laboratory exercises.
5. Environmental Awareness & Responsibility: The student will demonstrate a wide appreciation of modern environmental issues at both local and global scales and will incorporate socio-cultural norms while taking on professional responsibilities in environmental stewardship.
6. Practical And Professional Engagement: The student will develop skills to operate professionally, ethically and autonomously in the workplace, whether as individuals, as part of a larger team, or as the leader of a team.

Admission Criteria

For students entering the baccalaureate program the College requires that the applicant for admission to the major must fulfill the following requirements for acceptance:

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability & Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Nutrition:

• Satisfactory completion of 36 semester credit hours or more.
• Attainment of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Achievement of C- or better in COL 110, COL 111, COL 140, COL 145, COL 165, COL 240, COL 260.
• Achievement of passing grades (D or better) in COL 105, COL 120, COL 130, COL 135, COL 150, COL 155, COL 230, COL 255 and COL 270.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Services (joint with the College of Education):

• Satisfactory completion of 42 semester credit hours or more.
• Attainment of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Achievement of C- or better in COL 110, COL 111, COL 140, COL 145, COL 240.
• Achievement of passing grades (D or better) in COL 105, COL 120, COL 130, COL 135, COL 150, COL 155, COL 165, COL 230, COL 255, COL 260 and COL 270.

COL 260 and COL 270 may be scheduled for semester three, four, or five.

Majors in the College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS) approach the development of the student’s mastery of both the subject matter (content) and learning outcomes in a distinctive way. Students are introduced to the disciplines that together make up the liberal arts and sciences through courses in the Colloquy on Integrated Learning. They then move through a sequence of required and elective courses that introduce increasingly advanced ideas and theory, methods of inquiry and research, and reflective skills. Finally, these majors build the combination of mastery of theory and content with the opportunity to apply this learning through the internship and courses that require students to draw widely on their educational experience and bring together its various forces.

Internship

Internships for academic credit add a significant experience in the workplace to a student’s education. They provide the opportunity to develop professional attitudes, behavior, skills, and confidence. Internships also introduce the broad range of career possibilities available to the student with a University degree. Students come to a new understanding of the relationship between education and the world of work.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a baccalaureate degree at Zayed University, the student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and have demonstrated proficiency in both the English and Arabic languages through satisfactory completion of course work. The student must fulfill all core curriculum requirements and satisfy the competencies in Zayed University Learning Outcomes specified by the major. In addition, the student must complete all requirements for the major, including the internship and the achievement of the Major Learning Outcomes.

A student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate. Normally, a degree program may not require a student to complete more than 132 credit hours for graduation. Students themselves may add credit hours if appropriate, such as for example the students enrolled in Honors Thesis for the International Studies degree program within the College of Sustainability Sciences and Humanities. These are indicated in the sections of this catalog devoted to those programs. The student should consult with a college advisor on program and course requirements for graduation.