Students on the higher diploma course in environmental conservation at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology’s Institute of Applied Science participated in a week of practical training activities.
The students were introduced to lab techniques used to monitor soil characteristics and water quality that were subsequently used to characterise samples collected from different areas around Malta.
The students also analysed data that had been gathered over a period of time by air quality and weather monitoring equipment at the institute.
During a visit to Comino the students carried out a survey to estimate the size of the indigenous wild rabbit population on the island. Accompanied by institute lecturers, teams of students walked transects across the island, taking note of active rabbit warrens.
At a fieldwork visit in Żonqor Point, Marsascala, the students saw how plant communities change as one got closer to the shoreline, and used this data to map the distribution of plant species in the area.
This EQF Level 5 course is a main component leading to a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Engineering. Such courses aim to enable students understand environmental and natural resource issues and develop their problem-solving and project management skills. The course programme is designed to ensure that students acquire an integrated knowledge of how local and global ecological systems work, and understand the interdependence of society on the environment.
For details on the course, e-mail environmental sciences programme coordinator Mario Balzan at mario.balzan@mcast.edu.mt or visit the institute website.
www.mcast.edu.mt/ias