9ENV - Environmental Science

This major is interdisciplinary, designed for those with environmental interests and career goals. The program emphasizes experiential learning, commonly through field and lab studies. Courses include real projects and original research participation. Students begin their curriculum with the development of a firm base in the sciences and mathematics. Each student develops an area of specialization by selecting from one of two possible concentrations. The Scientific Foundations Concentration leads to a heavier emphasis in science and engineering, and supports minors in Biology, Geology, Engineering Science, and Chemistry. The Social/Cultural Foundations Concentration results in a stronger emphasis in the social sciences, humanities, business, and support minors in Criminal Justice, Environmental Criminology, Political Science, Business Administration, Economics, and Sociology.

All Environmental Science majors take a pair of capstone courses involving an original research project and a seminar designed to synthesize their education and tie scientific thought to issues in society. The Department houses a number of instruments for environmental monitoring and analysis, and students also have access to resources in their area of concentration.

Goals

• To provide an interdisciplinary Liberal Arts degree program in Environmental Science having a strong foundation in the physical and life sciences with a focus on relationships connecting society and nature.

• To provide two options, one with a concentration in the sciences and engineering, and the other with a concentration in the social sciences and humanities.

• To provide instruction and experiences with emphasis on field studies, solution of active problems, and communication in a professional format.