Leaf it to Us: Tertiary environment-related courses for budding youth environmentalists!

Looking to further your studies, and keen on the sustainability industry? If you are passionate about the environment and starting university or polytechnic soon, look no further! We’ve put together a non-exhaustive list of some local programmes to nurture the budding eco-enthusiast in you. Some of these courses are also eligible for scholarships, such as the Singapore Sustainability Scholarship, which is jointly offered by NEA, PUB, and SFA!

Check out some of the available environmental courses below to take the first step toward championing sustainability! Click on the respective links to find out more.

University Programmes

NUS Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours)

The National University of Singapore’s BES programme is a cross-disciplinary programme from the Faculty of Science, Art and Social Sciences, Law, Design and Engineering, Business, and Public Health combined. The programme also offers global internships, exchange programmes, BES-exclusive discussions, and concentrated class sizes for optimal learning.

Link to find out more: https://envstudies.nus.edu.sg/programme/

NTU Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental Earth Systems Science

The EESS programme is offered by the Nanyang Technological University’s Asian School of the Environment, which focuses on integrating the disciplines of geosciences, ecology, society, and Earth systems to study environmental challenges across Southeast Asia and the world. Students conduct research in fields including ecology, geohazards, climate change, sea-level rise, environmental sustainability, environment and biodiversity conservation, and interactions between environment and society. The programmes also teach mathematics and science, modern computing techniques, and fundamentals of Earth systems science. There are 5 undergraduate programmes under ASE.

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental Earth Systems Science — Flagship Programme
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental Earth Systems Science and Public Policy and Global Affairs — Double Major
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental Earth Systems Science with 2nd Major in Data Analytics — 2nd Major
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental Earth Systems Science with 2nd Major in Sustainability — 2nd Major
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Environmental Earth Systems Science with 2nd Major in Entrepreneurship — 2nd Major

Link to find out more: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ase

SIT Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in Sustainable Built Environment

Developed in conjunction with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the programme offered by the Singapore Institute of Technology trains students in mechanical engineering but with specialisation electives in Integrated Facility Management, Green Building Design, and Agritech and Aquaculture. Individuals focus on decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and Sustainable Urban Systems. Students will also undergo an eight-month Integrated Work Study Programme and be eligible for the Professional Engineering (Mechanical) Qualification.

Link to find out more: https://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/undergraduate-programmes/sustainable-built-environment

SMU Sustainability Management Major

This major is under the Lee Kong Chian School of Business. It has an interdisciplinary curriculum across business and non-business courses, equipping students with the tools to drive sustainability initiatives in various firms and organisations. It also allows undergraduate students to gain an understanding of climate change, marine pollution, and natural resource depletion.

Link to find out more: https://business.smu.edu.sg/disciplines/strategy-and-entrepreneurship/sustainability-management-major

Polytechnic Programmes

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Diploma in Environmental & Water Technology

Co-developed with PUB and supported by Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Centre for Environmental Sustainability, this course grounds students in environmental science and engineering. It branches into areas including sustainable water management, resource management and circularity, environmental sustainability, and lastly, environmental management and pollution control. The course includes field trips to Bishan Ang-Mo Kio Park, Jurong Eco Garden, and the NEWater treatment plant. Individuals may also apply for the PUB Engineering Diploma Scholarship.

Link to find out more: https://www.np.edu.sg/schools-courses/academic-schools/school-of-life-sciences-chemical-technology/diploma-in-environmental-water-technology

Republic Polytechnic Diploma in Applied Science (Environmental Services & Management)

The diploma delves into various topics: climate change, systematics and terrestrial and marine ecology, aquatic animal health, wildlife management, environmental management and testing, sustainability reporting, and circular economy. Students will visit Republic Polytechnic’s Rain Garden and aquaculture facility, Aquaria, and gain hands-on experience through various industry attachments.

Link to find out more: https://www.rp.edu.sg/sas/full-time-diplomas/details/diploma-in-environmental-and-marine-science

Temasek Polytechnic Diploma in Architectural Technology & Building Services

The diploma covers architectural design, building systems, digital delivery management, and computational design. Students will also be able to explore building simulations and energy management tools for designing buildings. They can also specialise in areas such as Environmental Sustainability to gain an economic perspective of efficient energy performance and learn how to identify sustainable materials for green buildings.

Link to find out more: https://www.tp.edu.sg/schools-and-courses/students/schools/eng/architectural-technology-building-services.html

Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Facilities Management

The Diploma delves into integrating technologies (eg. IoT, sensors, and data analytics) with a focus on sustainability. Individuals can gain skills in digital asset delivery, building information modelling, and data visualisation. The course also covers concepts on sustainability, certification schemes, and asset enhancement strategies. The Common Core Curriculum (CCC) provides students with the opportunity to examine local and global issues based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and equip them with skills to create a more sustainable environment.

Link to find out more: https://sopossible.sp.edu.sg/courses/schools/abe/facilities-management

Nanyang Polytechnic Diploma in Sustainability in Engineering with Business

The diploma builds a foundation across engineering, business operations, and advanced technologies and students gain the skills required to apply sustainable solutions in diverse sectors. Individuals will acquire course competencies that include IoT & Sustainability Data Analytics, Sustainable Engineering Product Design, and Sustainable Supply Chain Management.

Link to find out more: https://www.nyp.edu.sg/student/study/schools/engineering/diploma-sustainability-engineering-business

Tertiary courses in partnership with MSE Statutory Boards

In partnership with other higher learning institutions and local farms, SFA and NEA have also published lists of their training programmes to equip students with skill sets relevant to the agri-food and environmental sector respectively.

So what is the next step?

If you have been keeping up with the current climate trends, environmental action is becoming increasingly important. Whether you are drawn to drafting environmental policies or engineering sustainable solutions, the above programmes provide the necessary knowledge and skills to make a REAL impact. Explore your possibilities and be the changemaker of your generation!