Environmental Studies and Sciences (ESS)
Description of the program
The Environmental Studies and Sciences (ESS) Program is for students who are interested in an environmentally-oriented career and students who want to have a better understanding of environmental issues generally. Students choose either the Environmental Studies or Environmental Science major. The Environmental Studies major is for students interested in sustainability, environmental policy and law, food systems, urban planning, environmental business, environmental justice, and environmental education. The Environmental Science major is for students interested in understanding the scientific principles underlying renewable energy, sustainability, natural resource and land use planning and management, environmental remediation and restoration, environmental engineering, and conservation.
ESS is an interdisciplinary program. Understanding environmental problems requires the integration of the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. We cannot adequately understand an issue like climate change through a single perspective; it involves biology, business, chemistry, economics, geosciences, political science, history, literature, and sociology. ESS students graduate with rigorous problem-solving skills necessary to analyze and offer realistic solutions to environmental challenges. We believe in experiential learning to immerse our students in the complexities of environmental issues, both locally and abroad. Students participate in research, study abroad, internships, and student clubs to foster responsible citizenship and understand the challenges of creating environmentally sustainable communities.
Recommended courses for a prospective major:
Fall 2024
For the Environmental Studies major
ES 100 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
Other courses to consider:
EC 104 Intro to Microeconomics
HP 131 Introduction to Public Health
For the Environmental Science major
ES 100 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
and
BI 108 Organismal Biology
and/or
CH 125* Principles of Chemistry
Spring 2025
For students considering the Environmental Studies major or minor, select from
ES 105 Field Studies in Environmental Science
ES 100 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
ES 221 Sustainable Development
EC 104 Intro to Microeconomics
ID 210 Introduction to GIS
GE 101 Earth Systems Science
For students considering the Environmental Science major or minor, select from
ES 100 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
ES 105 Field Studies in Environmental Science or GE 101 Earth Systems Science
CH 126* Principles of Chemistry
BI 108 Organismal Biology
Other courses to consider
ES 221 Sustainable Development
ID 210 Introduction to GIS
MS 204 Statistical Methods
*CH 125 Principles of Chemistry is dependent on the placement exam. If a student places into CH 115 Fundamentals of Chemistry instead of CH 125 for the fall, they can then take CH 126 Principles of Chemistry in the spring semester, which will fulfill their CH 125 requirement for the Environmental Science major. Please note that CH 125 is only offered in the fall and CH 126 is only offered in the spring.
Environmental Studies and Sciences Site
1st floor, Science Annex Building
518-580-5948