Chemistry is one of the fundamental disciplines of the environmental sciences and, consequently, is usually included in related programmes of higher education, such as Environmental Science, Environmental Assessment, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Biotechnology, and many other programme titles, including also Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry. Environmental Chemistry creates knowledge that is important for human health, ecosystem integrity, and, in broader terms, the achievement of a good quality of life. Regardless of various societies’ perspectives, education is key to sustainable development, and it has to include environmental chemistry. Generally, for all disciplines, curricular reforms (Bologna reforms, since the 2000s) lead to notable diversification of existing programmes of higher education in Europe, a process that is still on-going.
The science of chemistry in environmental media (air, water and soil compartments) and the entire (multicompartment) environment has its roots in geosciences (biogeochemistry, hydrology, oceanography, meteorology and soil science) on one hand, and traditional chemical disciplines (physical, analytical, inorganic and organic chemistry, among others) on the other. The development and application of environmental technologies for mitigation and remediation purposes have also been grounded in the engineering sciences. Environmental chemistry has been emerging since the 1970s, stimulated by investigations into air and water pollution and their impacts, and is reflected today in numerous dedicated scientific journals, textbooks, and curricula. Progress in environmental chemistry is picked up by ecotoxicology and environmental and human health risk assessment.
The EuChemS Division of Chemistry and the Environment is dedicated to supporting and promoting the establishment and incorporation of Environmental Chemistry in higher education. To identify environmental science (including engineering) programmes in higher education across Europe, as well as their contents and trends, DCE conducts a Europe-wide survey, its second since 2012 (Lammel et al., 2014). Information and data on these programmes are collected via a questionnaire published on the EuChemS website.
References
Lammel G., Jover Comas E., Ivančev-Tumbas I. (2014) Higher education in environmental sciences with chemistry emphasis: Bachelor and master programmes in Europe. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 21, 7211-7218, doi:10.1007/s11356-014-2737-7
