The Minor in Environmental Studies consists of an interdisciplinary program that explores the range of contemporary environmental issues such as:
- climate change
- biodiversity loss
- chemical pollution
- agricultural and food practices
- water resources, energy, and natural resource depletion
Issues are explored from a scientific point of view as well as from policy, economic, and social perspectives. The program develops critical thinking and research skills. A final research project focuses on developing credible solutions to local or regional environmental problems. The minor is often pursued by students majoring in biology, chemistry, earth science, and geography but is appropriate for majors in any field who have an interest in the environment.
Many students have expressed a desire to relate their major program of study to their concern for the environment. In response to this interest, the Department of Science Education and Environmental Studies offers a minor in environmental studies, which students may pursue in consultation with the Environmental Studies Coordinator and their major adviser. Students also may elect a freestanding minor in environmental studies in conjunction with any major, including a liberal studies major, or they may concentrate in environmental studies as part of a major in biology, chemistry, earth science, or geography.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and interrelatedness of environmental issues, and the need to invoke elements of science, economics, law, politics, and ethics when formulating solutions.
- Students will build an understanding of the theoretical and historical events that underpin the multidisciplinary field of environmental sustainability.
- Students will be able to demonstrate abilities in geospatial technologies and apply those technologies to geographic and/or environmental analyses.
- Develop oral and written communication skills that demonstrate knowledge of the objectives of management strategies in a broad range of issues and for a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge gained from first-hand experience in addressing the practical aspects of making environmental decisions through internships (e.g., Norwalk Aquarium), research experiences (e.g., Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies or with TransAtlantic Alliance partners at Liverpool John Moores University in the U.K.), exposure to professional outside lecturers, and/or attendance of local wetland or zoning board committee meetings.
School / College
College of Arts & Sciences
Department
Environment, Geography, and Marine Sciences
Contact
Dr. Vincent Breslin