Why Environmental Studies?
Why study the Bachelor's degree programme Environmental Studies?
The Bachelor‘s study programme "Environmental Studies" in English is one of the few study programmes created by the needs of the labour market. This programme provides education in a world language, which constitutes an essential communication tool both in multinational companies and international research teams. The study programme "Environmental Studies" integrates interdisciplinary scientific disciplines applied in a wide array of scientific research. This greatly differs from single-subject bachelor‘s study programmes that do not provide a sufficiently broad basis for interdisciplinary approaches necessary for practice. Graduates of the study programme "Environmental Studies" will understand the characteristics and attributes of the components of the environment, including humans. They shall also gain knowledge in interdisciplinary fields of study characterising the basic biotic and abiotic components of the landscape such as botany, geology, zoology, geography, pedology, and hydrology. Moreover, they will improve on their knowledge in the field of ecology, landscape ecology, biodiversity, chemistry, geochemistry and protection of natural resources. Attention is also paid to environmental planning, sustainable development and risk assessment of geological hazards. Graduates will be prepared for work-oriented rational land use, sustainable development, production and environmental protection, geohazards assessment, geopotential countries, as well as the preparation and implementation of projects related to geological, hydrological, biological and geographical environment components. A comprehensive study of basic subjects of natural sciences will allow graduates to become familiar with the environment and be able to predict its development, especially in relation to human intervention in the environment. Graduates shall further acquire basic knowledge on the functioning and administration of companies, the needs and possibilities of the environment and learn the basics of management and legislation in geology in environmental protection. It can be applied in executing professional tasks in the field of protection and land use and nature.
One of the advantages of the study programme is a relatively small target group, approx. 20 persons, allowing for improved learning with a focus on individuals. As part of the selection process for applicants to the study programme, age, as well as socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, disability or nationality and other criteria that could be considered discriminatory will not be a determining factor. This target group will include graduates after passing the entrance exam. In addition, a very similar specialised bachelor's degree programme was created by this faculty in the past and provided the necessary expertise for the implementation of such programmes. Therefore, this study programme can be fully incorporated into the academic offer by an educational institution, thus enabling scientific higher education in the English language for applicants from Slovakia and abroad. Receiving quality education in a world language is a great opportunity for graduates on the international labour market and significantly increases their competitiveness.
Graduates of the study programme Environmental Studies shall receive the following skills:
- Good theoretical education in botany, ecology, zoology, geology, hydrogeology, soil science, geochemistry, chemistry, geography and computing;
- Solving scientific problems on a multidisciplinary level;
- Ability to evaluate obtained data correctly;
- Basic principles of intellectual property protection;
- Work with literature and electronic database;
- Professional English at a high level.