IT Sligo continues to lead the way in terms of meeting the needs of future generations with the announcement this week that its Department of Environmental Science has been successful in gaining approval for a ground breaking new degree in Energy, Sustainability and the Environment. Recruitment begins immediately through the CAO, with the course commencing this September.
The initiative is unique in that it is the first Environmental Science course that embeds energy and energy management with other environmental disciplines into a science degree.
Sustainable development will meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The world is now faced with the dilemma that demand for material and energy has never been greater yet current supplies are predominantly dependent on dwindling natural resources. Currently there is an enormous global challenge to reverse these trends and to develop sustainable development models that have minimum impact on the environment.
Course Co-ordinator and IT Sligo Science lecturer Declan Feeney said: “We feel that this whole area is going to rapidly expand, especially along the west and north west coast in terms of renewable energy from wind farms and ocean energy. IT Sligo will have the graduates to work with these technologies. It’s a very practical course with many practical elements to it.
“In the next 25 years Ireland will have to move to a society where energy systems are rooted in local green electricity, exporting to Europe. Buildings, industries and communities will have close to zero carbon emissions and carbon neutral transport systems will be supplied from green electricity and biofuels. Ireland is set to become a major centre in sustainable technologies where all buildings are at least energy self-sufficient. IT Sligo believes this cross discipline course meets these very same challenges,” he said.
Typically graduates from this programme will find employment as environmental and energy officers in most types of industry, commercial organisations, public institutions, local authorities, energy and environment consultancy companies or in government bodies, such as Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources. While initially being offered as a Bachelor of Science in Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, a level 7 degree, participants should have the option of pursuing an honours degree in the same subject by the time they have completed their first three years of study.
For further information, contact:
Mr. Declan Feeney
T : 071 9155230
E : feeney.declan@nullitsligo.ie
Admissions Office at IT Sligo: T: 071 – 9155379
E: admissions@nullitsligo.ie
W: www.itsligo.ie
Dr Billy Fitzgerald, Head of Environmental Science
T: 071 9155284
E: fitzgerald.billy@nullitsligo.ie
For further details on the Degree in Energy, Sustainability and the Environment read the IT Sligo Prospectus which is available online at www.itsligo.ie