Towards sustainable teaching of biosciences: integrating sustainable approaches into undergraduate

In response to the report by the Higher Education Academy ‘Sustainable Development in Higher Education, Current Practice and Future Developments’ the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (UWA) proposed the implementation of sustainability into the curriculum and delivery of education across the Biological Science sector. In this preliminary investigation four case studies were undertaken. In the first, a survey revealed a high level of undergraduate support for the incorporation of sustainability into the curriculum. Year 1 and 2 of study were highlighted as the key target groups for sustainability education. A further three practical case studies addressed sustainability issues in organic waste management, laboratory classes and field trips. Factors limiting progress towards sustainability teaching of bioscience were identified and solutions are proposed.