Certificate in Environmental Science and Conservation

 

Academic Mission and Program

The Certificate in Environmental Science and Conservation provides students who are pursuing master’s degrees at AUA with the scientific knowledge and practical experience necessary to assess the environmental impacts of human activity. The program integrates a study of the principles of environmental science with policy analysis, critical thinking, modern computer methods, and field work in order to prepare students to address environmental issues that arise in their professional careers or to enter graduate level environmental programs in US or European universities.

The Program consists of a sequence of six seminars followed by an original research project. The first two seminars build the conceptual framework in which environmental problems can be understood and analyzed. The first two seminars also cover global environmental problems (such as climate change, ozone depletion, and biodiversity loss) with scientific rigor. The second two seminars address local environmental problems, the first seminar from a scientific perspective and the second seminar from the social perspective of environmental law, policy, and regulatory structure. The final two seminars combine practical training in computer methods with an integrative research project that is the capstone to the certificate program. The CESC program is designed to convey a kernel of knowledge and experience and yet be flexible enough to allow students to satisfy their curiosity about environmental issues pertinent to their fields of interest.

Admission

Admission to the program is open to second year students in each masters program. Only a maximum of 15 students can be accepted into the certificate program, however, so a supplementary selection process may be necessary. Emphasis will be placed on involving students from each academic discipline and on involving students who have demonstrated the greatest aptitude and enthusiasm for environmental studies.

Certificate Requirements

In order to receive the Certificate, students must complete the requirements for the master’s degree in their chosen field. The Certificate is not issued separately from the completion of studies in the master's program through which they were admitted to AUA. In addition to completing the master’s, students must pass all seminars in the certificate program and present the results of their research project in the Fall Quarter.

Seminar Series–EM300

All seminars will require extensive reading outside of class time and the participation of all students. The group discussions will be held in a format identical to graduate level seminars in US research universities with an emphasis placed on individual initiative and group learning. Evaluation for seminar series will be made on the basis of tests, homework assignments, and the quality of the project proposal.

Earth Systems Science

Earth Systems Science is the first subject in the certificate seminar series. The seminar provides the global context for understanding environmental problems. The seminar begins with a discussion of the evolution of the Earth’s lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere over geologic time. The evolution of life on earth, the Gaia hypothesis, and the environmental controls on human cultural evolution will conclude the seminar.

Ecosystems and Conservation

The second seminar addresses the operations of biological systems. In the first half of the seminar the principles governing biological communities will be addressed and the biogeochemical and hydrological cycles supporting those systems will be reviewed. The second half of the seminar will consist of case studies of wetlands ecology, forest ecology, and agroecology–the three most important applications of ecology and conservation in Armenia.

Environmental Pollution and Resource Management

The seminar will address environmental fate and transport of pollutants, toxicology, energy resources, and waste management. Each subject will be discussed in the context of identified environmental problems in Armenia.

Environmental Policy and Law

The legal and regulatory framework of environmental policy in Armenia will be discussed and compared to the approaches taken in other countries. International treaties, Armenian environmental law, Armenian regulatory and governmental structure, and the role of NGO’s and international organizations (e.g. UN, World Bank, IMF) in shaping environmental policy will be addressed. Finally, the role and nature of cost-benefit analysis and environmental ethics in policy decisions will be examined.

Geographic Information Systems

The use of Geographical Information Systems in environmental problem solving will be taught using ArcView 3.2 GIS software. Practical GIS exercises will be given in order to teach skills that will be necessary in using GIS for Certificate Program projects.

Project Proposal

At the end of the Summer quarter, students will submit a project proposal that provides both a scientific rationale for the proposed project as well as a research plan. The proposal should consider the resources necessary for project completion as well as the time constraints. All data collection for projects should be completed by Oct. 1. The month of November should be used for writing and revision.

Research Project–EM320

Students will undertake individual research projects to be completed in the Fall quarter. The projects may involve GIS based analysis, field studies, policy studies, or other original research as approved by the faculty. The results of projects will be kept on file at ECRC, and students must present their results at the CESC Annual Colloquium in order to receive credit for the certificate.

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