Bachelor in Environmental Science (Final Year)

Introduction

Environmental and spatial issues are getting more important on a local, regional, national and global scale. The sustainable development is a constant concern in the development of all kinds of policies. Environmental quality and spatial quality are essential concepts to deal with from the perspective of a sustainable future.

In the Netherlands the Buildings, Environmental and Spatial disciplines have good tradition and have resulted in important developments in Environmental Policies and Spatial Planning. Saxion is an University of Applied Science and one of the leading institutes in this field in the Netherlands and is recognised for its expertise in these disciplines of study.

Aim of the programme
The courses enables students from any country:

• To obtain a Bachelor degree in the mentioned fields of study within a year.
• To apply gained knowledge and skills in a professional setting
• To be able to address regional and local issues in a broader context;
• To conduct applied research in the field of their specialisation;
• To gain problem solving skills.
• To participate in transnational mobility and transfer of knowledge and skills in a multidisciplinary context;
• To become part of a network of practi-tioners in environmental and spatial management.

Course content

The courses comprise five units:

1. The first unit comprises two subjects:
   1. Induction course, An introduction to the disciplines of Environmental Studies and Spatial Planning. (1 ECTS-credits)
   2. Professional skills training (5 ECTS-credits)
      1. Research Methodology
      2. Communication Skills, which comprises two main aspects: communication skills, intercultural relationships and group processes; and proficiency in English: training in oral presentation and writing skills.
2. Environmental Impact Assessment (8 ECTS-credits)
   1. Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Strategic Planning as a policy instrument
   2. Identification of environmental parameters for environmental and spatial quality
   3. Research Methodology of E.I.A., prediction of effects, scenario development, Multi-Criteria Analysis, potential solutions.
3. Water Management (12 ECTS-credits)
   1. Water Quantity Management, like flood protection, modelling, river and coastal infrastructures,
   2. Water Quality Management, including sanitation,
   3. Environmental Management in industry,
   4. Water as natural resource for e.g. drinking water supply, agriculture and ecology.
4. Capita Selecta Environmental Science (6 ECTS-credits). Within this part the following subjects will be discussed:
   1. Optimising cost and efficiency for applying (environmental) technology
   2. Noise problems, often related to traffic and specially airports
   3. Nature conservation, how can we connect natural areas in Europe ? How can we protect endangered specious in other parts of the world ?
   4. Waste management, what can be done to decrease the amount of waste?
   5. Comparison of environmental Policy plans (different countries or different scale levels),
   6. Air quality problems and Nitrogendioxide monitoring and analyses of air in student houses (ET).
   7. Prediction of fate of chemicals with the Mackay Model.
   8. Soil-, sediment-, air- and water sampling techniques.
   9. Soil pollution and Soil remediation techniques.
5. Research Project (28 ECTS-credits), in which the student conducts a research on a current problem in the field of their specialization. The Research Project starts with a course in research methods and techniques.

Requirements

This course is aimed at:

• Erasmus/Socrates exchange students in a related course from our international partners in Europe.
• Dutch students with at least 3 year education in a similar course and interested in a multicultural aspect within their major.
• All students from around the world who have studied Environmental Science and who wish to obtain a Dutch bachelor degree in Environmental Science.

Our general entry requirements apply. Next to that, to join this programme, the following requirements are necessary:
In addition to these general requirements:

• 3 year education in a similar course or 4 year in a related course,
• working experience can compensate education.

Career prospects

The course in environmental sciences equips the graduates for a number of specific positions:

• At government institutions;
• At national authorities;
• At firms of consulting engineers;
• At ecology groups and non-governmental organisations;
• At industries.