Course Description

Delve into the complex and challenging environmental issues that we face today, and how we can manage or even solve them. Environmental issues affect every human being, and are a truly global concern. This micro-credential gives a comprehensive introduction not only to the current problems and threats to the environment but also to possible solutions and effective environmental management. You’ll start by learning about the nature of environmental science, resources, the physical basis of the world’s ecosystems, and the concept of the triple bottom line for sustainability.

Objective

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the fundamentals of environmental science and sustainability.
2. Identify and analyze current ‘wicked problems’ such as climate change, waste generation, and fossil fuel consumption.
3. Explore effective environmental management strategies and potential solutions including renewable energy.

Target Audience

This course is designed for:

1. Students and professionals interested in environmental science and sustainability.
2. Policy makers, planners, and environmental managers seeking foundational knowledge.
3. Anyone concerned about global environmental issues and eager to learn how to manage or solve them effectively.

PRE-REQUISITE: (None)

Instructor

Associate Professor Nathan Brooks-English PhD Flora, Fauna & Freshwater Research Cluster Lead School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre

Nathan B English

Nathan is an environmental scientist focused on how climate and environmental variables shape Earth’s processes and ecosystems. His current research uses dendrochronology and stable isotopes from Tasmanian pines to study past rainfall and climate patterns. He also develops innovative methods for vegetation rehabilitation in Central Queensland.

Alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

This micro-credential aligns to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

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  Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals here.

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Navigating the Site

To successfully track your progress throughout this micro-credential, you MUST use the faces at the bottom of each page:

Green smiley: Got it! This marks the page as 'complete'.

Orange neutral: Revisit. This marks the page as 'in progress' so you can revisit it to revise the content.

• Got It! Revisit.

How to succeed at self-paced learning

Self-paced learning offers a number of benefits to learners:

Even though this is a micro-credential, completing it will still take a considerable amount of time and effort.

The micro-credential is broken into topics, this is designed to walk you step-by-step through the concepts. You will be able to see how much time is required for each activity, and you will be able to monitor your progress by indicating your confidence at the completion of each section.

The final assessment is a 10 question Multiple Choice Quiz with the following parameters:

Questions: 10 (multiple choice)
- Time allowed: Unlimited
- Attempts: Unlimited
- Pass mark: 90%

If you complete the micro-credential material and take notes, you will be well prepared for the assessment.

Access Guide:

Since this course uses LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability), please follow the steps below to access the content:

1. Participants will receive a direct course access link via the ICEI LMS.
2. Log in using your ICEI account.
3. Click the provided course link, which will redirect to the CQU platform.
4. The system will automatically use Single Sign-On (SSO) for seamless access.
5. Ensure you have a stable internet connection when viewing videos and completing activities.
6. For any access issues, contact email [email protected]

What web browser should I use?

The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari.

See our list of supported browsers for the most up-to-date information.