Environmental Science is a relatively new field in science, however; environmental scientists are all connected by their effort to solve environmental problems. To reach the desired goal, a multidisciplinary approach is usually needed. Each environmental scientist needs a strong basis in natural sciences, but also a bright view of social and financial impacts of environmental problems.

Postgraduate courses in Environmental Sciences in Finland can cover several aspects, such as:

• The reasons and consequences of environmental problems can be examined from a technical view of natural sciences
• The impacts of human activity to the nature and environment can be assessed comprehensively to find scientific, technological and social methods to relieve them
• The reasons for environmental problems and their solutions can be approached from an interdisciplinary standpoint including humanistic and social science views.

Demand for Environmental Sciences

Environmental problems are mainly caused by the consumption and production of different kinds of commodities and services. The amount of hazardous emissions, waste and pressure for intense land use has to be cut down, and the sustainability of the development must be considered when using our non-renewable natural resources. To enable this research, the most eco-efficient ways of production and sustainable consumption has to be done, and consumers, companies and political decision makers have to be informed about them.

The need for information in chemical questions is vast in administration, companies and consumers. Tens, if not even hundreds, of thousands of chemicals that are classified dangerous are produced in industrialised countries. These chemicals are included in our every day commodities, but if they end up in the environment, they can cause significant problems to human health and nature.

Environmental politics is hardly ever straightforward, and the effects are usually only seen after a time delay. Politicians ought to be informed about the political means that best take environment and the structure of the area concerned into account.

Employment prospects following Environmental Science programmes

Postgraduate courses in Environmental Sciences offer a wide variety of job prospects. Environmental scientists (MSc) are employed in the public sector, business and associates. Job descriptions may vary from research, administration and communication to teaching postgraduate education. International tasks are available in supranational companies, various organisations of the United Nations or European Union and in developing countries.

Furthermore, motivated and talented graduates holding an MSc degree are eligible to apply for PhD programmes. PhD graduates are employed as researchers or similar in both companies and administration.

Requirements for postgraduate study

Due to the width of the field, several kinds of undergraduate degrees allow eligibility for an Environmental Sciences postgraduate degree. To study Environmental Sciences in Finland, It would be of great benefit if applicants had and undergraduate degree in courses such as:

• Natural Sciences (biochemistry, biology, chemistry, geography, geology)
• Humanistic Subjects (cultural history, other history related subjects)
• Social Sciences (psychology, sociology, economics, political science)

Fields of study during the postgraduate programme

• The biggest threats to nature and biodiversity are different around the world. To ensure the richness of species and habitats in the future, the decision makers should be equipped with adequate knowledge about the local changes in nature types and species living in them, environmental demands of the species and effective methods of protection and management.
  
  
• The protection of water systems and reserves have become important environmental issues in all parts of the world during the last few decades. Climate change, increasing extreme weather conditions and population growth challenge the world to find answers to the questions dealing with adequate water resources.
  
  
• To control and adapt to climate change, reliable and interdisciplinary knowledge about the effects of the change to our nature and societies is needed. An assessment on the possible actions to solve the problem and their side effects must be evaluated carefully. Changes in species and their habitats, agriculture and forestry are expected due to changes in precipitation and temperature. As a consequence, the timing and strength of flooding is likely to change as well.
  

Author:
Hanna Tranberg
Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme in Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
University of Turku