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Environmental Studies Major
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Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary major offered by the Department of Geography and Urban Studies. The College of Science and Technolog profers the B.S. in Environmental Science. Degrees can be completed at both the Ambler and Main campuses. Students majoring in Environmental Studies will be equipped with the scholarly background and intellectual skills to understand a wide range of pressing environmental issues, and they will come to appreciate the physical, economic, political, demographic, and ethical factors that define those issues. Among the many environmental problems central to our program are groundwater contamination, suburban sprawl, river basin management, environmental justice, and the greening of abandoned urban spaces.
Go here for information on the B.S. in Environmental Science
B.A. Requirements
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Overview of the Environmental Studies Major
What does Environmental Studies do for you?
The Environmental Studies community
The academic offerings are interdisciplinary, drawing on the resources of numerous departments in the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities. Participating departments include Anthropology, Biology, Economics, Geography and Urban Studies, Geology, History, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Legal Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science. The Program offers two degrees--a Bachelor of Arts (College of Liberal Arts) and a Bachelor of Science (College of Science and Technology)--both of which emphasize the importance of understanding the interactions among the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.
An Environmental Studies degree can be tailored to the needs of the individual student. All students receive a thorough grounding in the physical and human aspects of environmental management. Some students then go on to acquire rigorous scientific training, while others will want to pursue programs that are more policy-oriented. Students have the option of pursuing a double major, which combines an Environmental Studies major with a degree in a traditional discipline. Those interested in teaching certification have the option of combining the Environmental Studies degree with the Graduate Certification Program in the College of Education. Additional choices include the Environmental Studies Minor, which complements majors in a wide variety of fields, and the Certificate of Completion, for students already holding a degree who wish to bolster their environmental credentials. Please inquire for details.
Continuous advising and close contact with faculty are key features of the program.
Environmental Studies majors are encouraged by their advisers to pursue internships and independent study projects that complement their coursework and help prepare them for the job market. More information about internships can be found by clicking the "Internships & Employment" button in the left column of the web site. In the capstone Senior Research Seminar, students engage in directed work in their specialized areas of interest. Furthermore, the Seminar provides opportunities to interact with other Environmental Studies majors and to prepare for environmental careers or graduate study.
What does an Environmental Studies Degree prepare me for?
Career options for Environmental Studies graduates are varied. Possible placements include corporate environmental affairs departments, industrial monitoring and assessment programs, conservation agencies, environmental consulting firms, regulatory and other governmental agencies, financial institutions, advocacy and lobbying groups, and educational institutions. More information about career opportunities can be found in the Employment and Internships section of this website. Students who opt for graduate study in Environmental Studies or a related discipline will be well-prepared to advance their education.
The Environmental Studies Community
It is not always easy at a large university to feel that you are part of a community. But you will soon find that the Environmental Studies faculty and students are a very congenial group.
How do you get to know fellow students and faculty? An excellent venue is the classroom. But less formal events also are very important. In order to keep up with extracurricular events, be sure that you are on the Environmental Studies student listserv. Whether you are a declared major or just thinking about Environmental Studies as one of your options, you should join the listserv.
Once on the listserv, you will receive all announcements about the program, about academic and social activities, and about internship and job opportunities. And you can post your own suggestions, comments, and questions. If you should decide you want to "unsubscribe" from the listserv, it is easy to do so.
We have occasional get-togethers of students and faculty, and from time to time we bring in speakers from environmental organizations, companies, and other colleges and universities. As interest merits, we will also organize field trips and other social events. Please participate, not only by attending these events, but also by making suggestions, organizing your own events, and developing student-led activities.
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