Introduction:
The Department of Environmental Sciences is an integrated program designed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals of biological and natural sciences in solving environmental problems. It serves as a hub for interdisciplinary graduate studies and research, and advocacy on environmental issues. The program focuses to pioneer a new generation of research and teaching methods that understand the issues, and arrive at solutions to pressing societal problems, prepares its graduates to understand environmental systems, predict environmental change, participate in the management of the environment, and contribute for the promotion of the sustainable society.
The graduates are expected to play a critical role in coordinating multidisciplinary input to assure successful deployment that is necessary in meeting emerging environmental challenges in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, throughout the region and around the global. Upon completing their degrees, students will be prepared to conduct research in national research laboratories, field stations, universities, as well as institutes and corporations in the private sector. Graduates may find careers in federal, state, and local government agencies that are charged with managing natural resources. Students completing the Environmental Sciences Program will also find employment in the private sector with productive careers in industry and consulting firms.
Major focus areas of research and development will include include Water sanitation and health, Water and energy resource management, Earth and environmental studies, Solid waste management and treatment, Conventional and alternate energy, and Sustainable agriculture and Ecosystem.
Mission:
Environmental Sciences programme is offered to students from biological sciences, physical sciences, engineering, environmental management, and other relevant disciplines. Main emphasis is to conduct internationally recognized basic and applied research and provide education of high international standard to build a highly skilled human resource that will contribute towards national and international decision-making and management of environmental and health risks. This will further bring together a community of university researchers, government scientists and a growing number of commercial enterprises.
Aims and Objectives:
The aim of this degree programme in the discipline of Environmental Science is to train and develop well equipped and highly skilled manpower to address and tackle 21st century environmental challenges. These challenges are related to environmental change, developmental of sustainable resources (water, energy and agriculture) and chemical management. Our objectives include training of students who will be able to recognize the threats to the environment of Pakistan and world today, and advice possible solutions required. This would, therefore, require flexible cross-disciplinary curricula covering knowledge of both natural and physical sciences. This will also ensure wide access to practitioner’s knowledge and understanding of the scientific processes, procedures and policies involved in the day-to-day management of the environment.