Toxicology and Risk Assessment.......the Spring Semester takes off!

The semester has started off to a promising preview of things to come. This is the time to assess whether the deluge of information we had to assimilate last semester (2007) made any impact. It seemed like system overload to me (I felt my system crashing) but a lot of information did stick.

This year we have started off with the nitty-gritty details of toxicology (organic chemistry), risk assessment and analysis, in our science class. This theme cuts across the board. In economics we look at how to use statistical data to analyse environmental impact and the risks involved. Policy takes us on a journey back in time to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (U.S.). In law we look at the legal implications of risk assessment and the various environmental laws and statutes. How effective are they? That is the million-dollar question.

Finally, we have an exciting new addition to our coursework this semester.....GIS! Geographical Information Systems. I am very excited. It is wonderful to be in an interdisciplinary (or should I say multi-disciplinary) such as this, and even though science is really not my favourite subject it is infinitely intriguing, and the possibilities in scientific research are tremendous.

Best news ever!! I finally submitted my thesis for Wits University. I feel as if a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. The combination of my research report and the course work in the environmental policy programme was just too much!! I enjoyed working on my research very much, I met a lot of wonderful people and learnt so much about World Heritage Sites in South Africa and around Africa.