ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(See also Geography, Natural Resource Management, Protected Area Management)
James Cook University’s School of Tropical Environment Studies and Geography (TESAG) has an established reputation for its teaching and research in tropical environments and natural resource management. Postgraduate environmental science students at JCU enjoy access to outstanding and diverse natural locations, including rainforest, woodland, savanna, arid zone, stream, wetland, coral reef, mangrove, seagrass, soft bottom benthic and open water pelagic environments.
Studying environmental science at JCU brings together aspects of the physical, biological and social environments, specifically to find creative and dynamic solutions to existing and evolving problems. Academic staff are actively involved in topical and high profile areas of research and policy that bring national attention to JCU.
Students may complete postgraduate programs by coursework, which lead to the awards of Graduate Certificate of Science, Graduate Diploma of Science and Master of Applied Science in the areas of Protected Area Management or Natural Resource Management. These coursework offerings have a strong focus on fieldwork and problem solving, and take advantage of close links with government departments, management agencies and non-government and consulting organisations, to utilise specific regional expertise and provide excellent work placement opportunities.
Qualifying students interested in undertaking research in tropical north Queensland, may enrol in a Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Science in Environmental Science. Research students take advantage of field stations on Orpheus Island, Horn Island or Moreton Island, in rainforest (“Kirrama” and “Paluma”), or savanna (“Fletcherview”) habitats and at the Australian Canopy Crane Research Facility at Cape Tribulation. The University’s strong involvement with the Cooperative Research Centres for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management and Sustainable Development of Tropical Savannas also provide significant strengths in the areas of applied and strategic research.
Both coursework and research students can take advantage of expertise across schools within James Cook University, either to undertake elective subjects within a relevant area of interest or for associate supervision of research projects by experts in related fields. Further details of opportunities for coursework or research degrees in environmental science can be obtained through the School of Tropical Environment Studies and Geography.