Critical skills for environmental professionals : putting knowledge into practice / Jennifer Pontius, Alan McIntosh.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pontius, Jennifer, author.

McIntosh, Alan W., author.

Series:

Springer textbooks in earth sciences, geography and environment 2510-1307

Springer textbooks in earth sciences, geography and environment, 2510-1307

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Environmental sciences--Study and teaching.

Environmental sciences.

Critical thinking.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 188 pages) : illustrations (chiefly color), color maps.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer, [2020]

Summary:

This textbook focuses on a set of skills-based learning outcomes common among undergraduate environmental programs. It covers critical scientific skills and ways of thinking that bridge the gap between the knowledge-based content of introductory environmental textbooks and the professional skills students of the environment need to succeed in both their academic programs and professional careers. This emphasis on skills is gaining more traction among academic programs across the country as they shift focus from knowledge delivery to learning outcomes and professional competencies. The book features clear methodological frameworks, engaging practice exercises, and a range of assessment case studies suitable for use across academic levels. For introductory levels, this text uses guided practice exercises to expose students to the skills they will need to master. At the capstone level, this text allows students to apply the knowledge they have gained to real-world issues and to evaluate their competency in key programmatic learning outcomes. A detailed answer key with rubrics customized for specific questions and sample answers at various competency levels is available to verified course instructors. Access to these answer key resources can be obtained by contacting the Springer Textook Team at Textbooks@springer.com. -- publisher

Contents:

Introduction : mastering the skills you need to be a successful environmental professional

Problem framing

Navigating scientific literature

Critical thinking

Scientific inquiry

Quantitative literacy

Linking cause and effect

Environmental problem solving

Decision support

Environmental communication

Systems thinking

Working across scales

Sustainability science

Key disciplinary tools.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Springer Nature Link, viewed February 26, 2026).

Other Format:

Print version: Pontius, Jennifer. Critical skills for environmental professionals

ISBN:

9783030285425

3030285421

OCLC:

1135758141

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license