Lectures on ecology and environmental protection – previous knowledge and present attitudes of first year university students

Abstract

The presented article offers an insight into the environmental literacy and attitudes of young technically oriented Czech university students at a faculty of pharmacy, in preparation for non-teaching and non-ecological professional careers. At this faculty, no philosophical or emotion-based approaches to nature and wildlife are acceptable as a teaching basis, even in the case of ecology.

As an evaluation of the course ‘Ecology for Pharmacists’ taught in the first year, over 120 students completed – after a common credit test –an optional questionnaire. The goal was first to assess the environmental knowledge acquired by students at secondary education level and then to see their willingness to learn more about ecology and/or contemporary environmental problems.

The results showed a surprisingly low percentage of indifference. Positive relationships to environmental protection and education, although more technically oriented, prevailed. However, the level of environmental knowledge gained from their secondary education seemed to be low in most cases.

It is the opinion of the author that environmental literacy and consciousness of university students in technical fields is very important, since it is usually among middle managers and executives with technical education, that more or less environmentally friendly policies and strategies begin.

This article might contribute to a discussion about more efficient and hopefully better targeted environmental education offered by upper secondary schools and further education.