Learning Outcomes

The Environmental Studies major prepares students for careers as leaders in understanding and addressing complex environmental issues from a problem-oriented, interdisciplinary perspective.

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate mastery of core ecological and physical science concepts and methods as they pertain to environmental problem-solving.
• Demonstrate mastery of core social science concepts and methods as they pertain to environmental problem-solving.
• Recognize and integrate the international, cross-cultural, and transdisciplinary nature of environmental problems in analyses and solutions.
• Produce a culminating/multi-scale piece of work demonstrating the ability to synthesize concepts and methods to make a contribution to environmental solutions.
• Apply proficiency in analytical methods, critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills sufficient to make a contribution in environmental and related fields.

The Environmental Studies minor supplements other majors to facilitate students’ understanding of complex environmental issues from a problem-oriented, interdisciplinary perspective. Students:

• Understand key concepts from economic, political, and social analysis as they pertain to the design and evaluation of environmental policies and institutions.
• Appreciate concepts and methods from ecological and physical sciences and their application in environmental problem solving.
• Appreciate the ethical, cross-cultural, and historical context of environmental issues and the links between human and natural systems.
• Reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.

The Environmental Science minor supplements other majors to facilitate students’ understanding of complex environmental issues from a problem-oriented, interdisciplinary perspective. Students:

• Understand core concepts and methods from ecological and physical sciences and their application in environmental problem-solving.
• Appreciate key concepts from economic, political, and social analysis as they pertain to the design and evaluation of environmental policies and institutions.
• Appreciate the ethical, cross-cultural, and historical context of environmental issues and the links between human and natural systems.
• Appreciate that one can apply systems concepts and methodologies to analyze and understand interactions between social and environmental processes.
• Reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.