Environmental Science and Policy

Overview

Chair of the Department: Karen Wilson

Associate Professor: Staples; Assistant Professor: Levesque; Associate Research Professors: Wilson; Adjunct Assistant Research Professor: Willis; Professor Emeritus: Sanford, Wagner

The Department of Environmental Science and Policy offers two degrees: a B.A. in environmental planning and policy and a B.S. in environmental science. Each degree prepares students for a variety of professional roles in the environmental fields and encourages students to pursue graduate academic and professional degrees and professional certifications. Graduates find employment in many environmental settings, including federal, state, and local government, environmental consulting and engineering, environmental education and teaching, private industry, applied research, environmental advocacy, and community planning.

All students in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy complete a core set of courses and laboratory training in a broad range of perspectives and skills including field methods, environmental science, ecology, chemistry, communication, environmental regulations, impact assessment, and research methods. Additionally, the program requires students to specialize in an area of choice. Students choosing the environmental science option will study topics such as forest, wetland and plant ecology, or soil and water quality. Students choosing the environmental planning and policy option will study topics such as natural resource policy, community environmental planning, risk assessment and management, and local to global sustainability. Most students also pursue a minor to complement their skill-set, such as environmental sustainability, chemistry, economics, or biology. Near the end of their program, all students apply their knowledge in a professional setting with a required internship.

The department encourages students to engage in research with faculty and others, and to present research at public forums and publication outlets. Faculty stress problem-based service learning by examining and solving local environmental problems as part of classwork and research.

Admission Requirements

While there are no specific admission requirements, success in the majors is best achieved by a high school preparation of three laboratory science courses, a basic knowledge of mathematics, and writing competency.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Environmental Planning and Policy, B.A.

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Certificate