Unit of Study ENVR1001 Science and Global Challenges (2024)

Unit description

Introduces students to the role of science in understanding the complex socio-ecological interactions involved in our biggest global challenges, including climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution and overfishing. Students will build an understanding of the foundations, philosophies and ethics that underpin science, exploring the role of science in society and vice versa. Bringing together knowledge of science, stakeholders and Indigenous thinking enables students to develop creative solutions to complex global challenges. This unit also supports students to develop foundational academic skills, including literature searching, referencing, collaboration, critical thinking, academic writing and science-communication.

Unit content

Using case studies of globally important environmental challenges, the following will be explored:

1. Science and Philosophy: exploring the scientific method, the history of science philosophy and holistic systems thinking

2. People and Planet: Indigenous knowledges, stakeholders and socio-ecological systems

3. Land and Water: agricultural, landscape and freshwater challenges

4. Oceans: overfishing, pollution and acidification

5. Climate change and the complex interactions of global challenges

6. Critical Issues for Science and Global Challenges