The Andhra University Department of Environmental Sciences (AUDEN) was found in 1976 as a part of the College of Science & Technology, and is one of the first three University departments in India to have started Post Graduate and Higher Programmes in Environmental Sciences.

Ever since its inception, AUDEN believed in Ecological Management and Ecofriendly technologies to solve all the Environmental Problems.  Protection, Conservation and Sustainable use of Natural Ecosystems has been the motto of the AUDEN which engages in

    ·       Educational
    ·       Research
    ·       Extension
    ·       Consultancy and
    ·       Training

(ERECT) activities related to different natural and man made environments and ecosystems.

EDUCATIONAL: The department that was started with a single course at Post P.G. level in 1976 is currently offering M.Sc., Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management (for inservice candidates), M.Phil., and Ph.D. programmes. AUDEN courses and programmes have been designed, reviewed and revised, as an when the national priorities and goals are revised and offers holistic approach aimed at multidisciplinary training to its students. From 1977 to 1990, the period when Environmental Sciences has not been a discipline in many Universities, the AUDEN has initiated a course. Post M.Sc. Diploma in Environmental Sciences (PGDESc.)

            With the objective to make Science Post-Graduates and Graduate Engineers more environmental conscious and train them in different facets of environment and environmental monitoring.  This course received wide appreciation and support.  The UGC has paid Fellowships to the students studying this course.  So far 10 batches were released under this programme, till 1989.

            After the establishment of separate Ministry of Environment and Forest & Wildlife by the Govt. of India, and based on the debates held National wide on National Policy on Environment and National Forest Policy, the AUDEN has realized the need for M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences and started the same in lieu of Post M.Sc. Diploma.

            AUDEN is the first in Andhra Pradesh to have started M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences.  The course has been designed to provide strong foundation and expertise to the students on various sciences related to the management and monitoring of the environment as well as the tools required to take up the challenges of extending Environmental Education to all levels from schools to colleges as envisaged in Supreme Court directive to the governments and educational institutions.  So far, 10 batches have completed their M.Sc. and the course is also offered currently.

            Visakhapatnam, a fast developing industrial city on the East Coast of India and is also known as the industrial and financial capital of Andhra Pradesh, harbors more than 27 major and medium industries and around 1000 industries in the small scale sector.  The need for providing foundation in Environmental Science for better management to the executives and the managerial staff of various industries, local bodies, organizations and agencies are highly essential.  In view of this, a Part-Time P.G. Diploma in Environmental Management was started for the benefit of local executives and the managerial staff in the year 1997-98.  This programme received wide appreciation and good support from the UGC.  So far, two batches have been released and is also presently an on going course.

RESEARCH:

            AUDEN offers M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes for fresh Post Graduates, College and University teachers, and other inservice Post-Graduates working in various organisations and agencies related to Environmental Management at different levels.  The major thrust areas of research includes.

     1.  Wildlife Management                             8.  Bio-remediation
     2.  Bio-diversity                                        9.  Forest Management
     3.  Wetlands Management                         10.  Pollination Ecology
     4.  Microbial Ecology                                 11.  Coastal Zone Management
     5.  Energy Management                             12.  Environmental Pollution Analysis
     6.  Disaster Management                            13.  Environmental Impact Assessment
     7.  Environmental Health                            14.  Conservation Biology