Concentration in Environmental Science

DIRECTOR

Assistant Professor Soper

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates study of problems caused by human use of the natural world with analysis of remedies for these problems through social, economic, or political change. While incorporating information on natural processes (e.g. physical and biological), the field of environmental science also analyzes the role that technology plays in our society and its capacity to alter natural processes as well as solve problems. A third dimension of this field, analysis of the social processes that characterize human populations, emphasizes critical thinking about decisions made at the individual, societal, corporate, political and global level that impact natural processes. This approach outlines the way in which environmental problems are both created and solved by human populations. Thus, environmental science is a mixture of traditional science, societal values and political awareness. Pre-requisites: BIO 1311 and BIO 1312 or permission from the Director.

Reflecting this interdisciplinary approach, the Environmental Science Concentration requires six courses selected from a wide range of disciplines and departments.