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New Student Advising & Registration Guide

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.

career 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