Rex Flinn is literally immersing himself in his university studies when he’s out in the rain.
That’s because the 17-year-old is doing a Bachelor of Science (Environment and Sustainability) degree at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Fraser Coast. Nature is currently giving him a range of examples to study for his course on Climate and Weather.
Rex is also among the first cohort of students to enrol in the foundation Environmental Studies course being offered on campus in Hervey Bay for the first time this year.
There are 11 students in the class, which studies the effects of population pressure, unsustainable resource use and pollution.
The course is available to students across all of the University’s faculties as a means of understanding environmental issues.
USQ Faculty of Sciences lecturer from the School of Biological and Physical Sciences Dr John Parkinson said students from every faculty at USQ Fraser Coast had enrolled in the course this year, which would be taught by himself and fellow USQ Fraser Coast lecturer Jenny Kallie, as well as the academic team at Toowoomba and Springfield campuses.
‘We have Education students who are studying to become secondary teachers, Business students and students from the Faculty of Arts who are doing Human Services (Counselling) degrees, as well as students like Rex, whose degrees are in environment and sustainability,’ Dr Parkinson said.
‘This is a relatively new field of study but it is generating great interest because society is concerned about the environment.
‘It’s an opportunity for people to take up a career in the emerging ‘green’ professions.
‘Graduates may become climatologists, environmental scientists and consultants, climate policy analysts, natural resource managers, or work for National Parks or similar organisations. They can get into private industry companies active in fields such as agriculture, insurance, energy, water services and weather information.’
Rex, from Maryborough, is keen to get into a career which has a positive impact on the environment.
‘I’ve always loved gardening and plants, and am interested in land regeneration after mining,’ he said.
‘I guess my love of the land comes from my grandparents who were well-known for their production of papaws in the region.’
Dr Parkinson said the Environmental Studies course aimed to develop informed and positive attitudes toward environmental issues, an understanding of the causes and symptoms of environmental degradation, and of corrective actions and the policies which supported them.
‘It provides a general introduction and overview of the emergence of environmental issues at the global scale,’ he said.
‘Consideration is also given to population growth, the influence of technology, environmental economics and the role of community value systems.
‘Issues examined from a global perspective include land utilisation, mining and fishing, energy production and use, water pollution, atmospheric pollution, urban systems and waste management.’
For more information about USQ’s Environment and Sustainability program email studysci@usq.edu.au or freecall 1800 269 500.
Contact Details:
Katrina Corcoran, USQ Media, +61 7 4194 3167
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