Global ecological change caused by human activities has led to an increasing awareness that the earth’s natural resources are limited. To ensure a sustainable source of the basic raw materials for human survival – food, water and shelter – our natural resources must be managed according to fundamental ecological principles. New policies and practices are continually being adopted in response to global change. As is clearly evident in media presentations and in changing A-level curricula, these problems are moving higher up the national consciousness. These issues affect every continent and can best be addressed, therefore, through a ‘One World’ approach that recognises the global importance of all natural resources.

 

The main aims of this programme are to provide an understanding of the biological and socio-economic factors that contribute to differences in the ecological footprint of diverse societies around the world, and to teach students how to apply the analytical and practical skills required to bring about ecologically sound sustainable management of our changing environments at the regional, national and international level.

 

The Natural Resources Institute is renowned internationally for its accomplishments in the promotion of economic and social development in both developing and developed countries. The level of expert training offered by NRI staff in the design and application of policy and practice in sustainable management of natural resources is unique in the UK.

Who should study this programme?

We encourage applications from A-level students, and from mature students who want to update their knowledge in a related field or who are interested in a career change.  This degree prepares you for a career as an advisor to local and international businesses on environmental issues, such as reducing carbon footprints, increasing natural resource efficiency; sustainable urban and rural planning and regeneration; environmental impact assessment; carbon and ecological footprinting consultancy; local/overseas governmental and non-governmental organisations or commercial companies concerned with resource management and waste reduction/recycling; environmental agencies.

Year 1

• Ecological and Economic Aspects of  Global Change
• Earth’s Dynamic System
• Science & the Environment
• Society, Economy & Sustainability

Year 2

• Management of Agricultural Systems and Natural Resources
• Introduction  to Planning, Forecasting and Decision-making Tools
• Research Methods for Ecology and Global Change Management
• One option chosen from:
  • Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
  • Environmental Management and Regeneration

Optional Sandwich Year

Final Year

• Research Dissertation  
• Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective
• Reading in Ecology and Global Change Management
• Two options chosen from:
• Climate Change and Risk Assessment 
• Ecological Footprinting and Climate Change
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Contaminated Land: Risk Assessment and Remediation

Career opportunities

Graduates are likely to go on to further post-graduate study (possibly at the University of Greenwich), or a career related to local jobs in industry and global climate change management; government, private company or self-employment consultancies on carbon neutral planning, ecological footprinting, and ecosystem assessment; UK governmental agencies, such as DFID, DEFRA, Environment Agency and English Nature; NGO’s, such as FARM-Africa and OXFAM; development banks, such as the World Bank Young Professionals; and International Civil Service agencies, such as the UN and the EU.

 

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See further details of the BSc Ecology and Global Change Management including the UCAS code