Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme

The new 4-year Bachelor of Environmental Studies Cross-Disciplinary Programme (XDP) builds on the expertise and strengths of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) programme which was launched in 2011.

The programme adopts an interdisciplinary and broad-based approach to effectively address national, regional and global environmental challenges. These include over-exploitation, pollution, climate change, land and water use, habitat degradation, and the building of liveable high-density cities. It seeks to develop environmental leaders and advocates who are scientifically informed and capable of formulating solutions for a sustainable future.

The XDP is offered from Academic Year 2021/2022. Students in the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) can also opt to read a Second Major in Life Sciences or Geography.

The XDP is offered jointly by the Faculty of Science (FoS) and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) with participation from the College of Design and Engineering, Faculty of Law, NUS Business School and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Mid-stream admission is open to CHS enrolled undergraduate students who are keen to pursue the Environmental Studies (BES) cross-disciplinary programme. Students must have a good overall GPA (Grade Point Average) as well as passion and involvement in environment-related causes to be considered for admission. The Environmental Studies programme committee may conduct interviews to assess applicants for suitability for the programme

Curriculum

The XDP incorporates new curricula arising from CHS while maintaining its fundamental structure of geography, biology and interdisciplinary courses across the Humanities and Social Sciences offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics offered by the Faculty of Science.

Students will acquire knowledge in multiple disciplines such as geography, biology, economics, law and public health. This enables them to view environmental impacts through different lenses and to apply the integrated knowledge to address complex and multifaceted environmental issues.

Global education and experiential learning are also key to many courses. Apart from in-classroom training, the programme exposes students to a variety of learning opportunities such as internships, student activities, field trips and research projects.

The introduction of communications courses through the CHS curriculum, combined with existing courses and overseas field trips, equip students to better understand the global environment, and to be able to identify, analyse and solve the complex environmental challenges of today.

Career Prospects

Environmental studies graduates work in applied fields and interdisciplinary settings that focus on the impacts of human activities. This may include biodiversity conservation, pollution control measures, preservation of natural resources or sustainability solutions.

There are environmental science careers in both the public or private sectors. Environmental studies graduates are qualified to become educators, biologists, ecologists, environmental researchers, geographers, geologists, policy analysts, sustainability officers and communications professionals. They may also work as environmental consultants conducting environmental impact assessments.

Some graduates go on to work in academia in research institutes, universities etc., while others pursue Ph.D. degrees in a range of environment-related disciplines, including geography, biology, ecology and social sciences.