Program Overview

Maintaining both the quality of life and a clean and healthy environment is now a major concern of Government, employers, non-governmental organisations and citizens. The EU now has a very comprehensive environmental policy, and as a Member State, Ireland is obliged to act in accordance with this policy.

More stringent environmental requirements are being placed on industry and community in areas such as energy usage, waste minimisation, waste management, recycling, sustainability, water and air quality. Consequently, there is a strong demand for graduates with a scientific understanding of environmental and health and safety issues, together with a full knowledge of technological and management methods available to help improve the quality of our environment. What makes Environmental Science at the University of Limerick distinctive is its relevance to industry and business, through a focus on environmental technology, environmental management, sustainability and health & safety in the workplace.

Having followed a broad common first year, you will be provided with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry and ecology, and with an in-depth knowledge in environmental technology, environmental management, conservation and sustainability, and waste management.

The main areas of study will include

• Environmental Science - the application of the fundamental sciences to environmental issues
• Environmental Management – the assessment of a broad range of issues around global warming and sustainability, and how strategies can be developed and implemented to protect and sustain all aspects of the environment.
• Clean Technology - the use of cleaner technologies and processes to minimise the negative impacts of technology on the environment
• Waste Management - the study of the physical methodologies and techniques for dealing with increasing levels of waste generated by the manufacturer and consumer
• Health & Safety - a complementary area to environmental science which specifically deals with significant health and safety issues both in the workplace and in outdoor environments.