Environmental sustainability students get early start
(Lakehead column, Huronia Business Times – September 2013)
A group of aspiring scientists began their studies at Lakehead University Orillia early this fall, as the first cohort of fourth year Environmental Sustainability students embarked on an intensive three-week field study course in August.
Lakehead Orillia’s Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science - Environmental Sustainability program, introduced in 2010, is a degree program within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. The field study course is taught by Dr. Gerardo Reyes, who will lead the students on a series of field trips to various natural habitats, including the Algonquin Park Wildlife Research Station.
“The course will physically immerse the students into the subject matter, taking what is taught in our Biology and Environmental Science classes and bringing these theories and concepts to life,” explains Dr. Reyes. “It’s difficult to fully appreciate what we talk about in class as some of these concepts can remain abstract; being in the field allows us to get our hands dirty and experience biology in action.”
The students will learn sampling techniques and will collect various organisms to understand why they are there, if and how they are being impacted by human activity, and what can be done to preserve or manage ecosystems to ensure sustainability in the future.
“Our program is unique because it combines arts and science,” says Lakehead’s Dr. Sree Kurissery, who led the designing of the program. “In addition to scientific knowledge, the students study environmental sustainability from a socio-cultural and Aboriginal focus and also learn about environmental philosophy and ethics.”
The objective of the program is to graduate environmentally conscious citizens who are capable of finding scientifically-based solutions to environmental problems and issues. “The field study course helps us achieve this,” says Dr. Kurissery. “The students will visit areas impacted by pollution and other sources of environmental destruction, as well as conservation centres and parks that are protecting nature. This comparison and first-hand knowledge will help them to find scientifically-based solutions.”
Lakehead Orillia’s Dr. Gerardo Reye (seated left) meets with a group of Environmental Sustainability students to plan their three-week field study course.
“These students are our future leaders,” says Dr. Reyes. “We’re providing them with the tools to carry out research projects, and to be able to make informed value judgments in the field when facing difficult environmental choices.”
The field study will help students generate ideas for research projects that are required to graduate and also prepares students for the job market or graduate studies.
“This kind of field experience will be a valuable asset to the students,” says Dr. Reyes. “Whether they are applying for positions with environmental consulting firms or for government and other research institutions, this practical knowledge and understanding will create many opportunities for them.”
Dr. Kurissery reports that the unique Environmental Sustainability program is becoming more popular each year. As of this year, the degree program will also be of special interest to graduates of Georgian College’s Environmental Technology diploma program. A recently signed articulation agreement with the College means that eligible students can complete the degree program in just over two years.
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