Module Information

The aim of this module is to provide a foundation in environmental science for those students who have not studied this subject before. It assumes a basic understanding of English Law. It is designed to take the mystery out of scientific jargon and to provide the student with sufficient insight to be able to question whether a given legal measure is likely to be able to achieve its environmental objective. The module examines the nature of science ? its philosophy, the meaning of scientific proof and the use of statistics. It also attempts to put environmental science in a social science setting and questions the importance of science in the formulation of environmental policy. It invites the student to consider the role of science in environmental management and to examine different approaches to scientific problems such as ecocentrism and technocentrism.