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Environmental Studies
Program Chairman: Theodore L. Steck, CLSC 721, 702-1329
Administrator: Lee Price, G-B 132, 702-7134
College Adviser: Douglas Patton, HM 271, 702-3419
Program of Study
College students are increasingly interested in the human environment. They
recognize that the impact of human activities on the natural world grows
steadily more profound. They see the quality of life on earth under challenge.
They draw implications for their personal and professional lives and for
the well-being of humankind and the web of life on earth in the generations
to follow. They seek educational opportunities to guide their citizenship,
scholarship, and career development.
The primary concern of the program in environmental studies is with the
manifold relationship between human activity and the natural world that
sustains it. Understanding this vast topic calls for education in diverse
disciplines. Thus, the program is inherently multidisciplinary; it aims
to combine the mastery of specialized knowledge with the building of a broad
base through which complex issues, now unfolding, can be approached. A seminar
program is conducted to challenge students at all levels with the contemporary
implications of their didactic courses and to provide a forum for the presentation
of senior research papers. The environmental studies program is sponsored
by the New Collegiate Division, which is a home for innovations in interdisciplinary
undergraduate education.
Program Requirements
Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies will
ordinarily enter the program at the end of their second year. They will
pursue a plan of study tailored to their individual interests under the
guidance and oversight of the program chairman and College adviser. Normally,
students will pursue depth in an area of biological, physical, or social
science to develop recognized competence for graduate study or professional
activity in a traditional discipline. This focus is balanced by their liberal
environmental education. Following are suggestions of relevant courses that
fulfill Common Core requirements, as well as courses appropriate for concentration
programs emphasizing biological, physical, or social sciences.
A senior paper is required. Students may be nominated for graduation with
honors on the basis of the excellence of their senior research papers if
their grade point average is higher than 3.25.
Summary of Program
General Education. Common Core courses recommended to students interested
in environmental studies include Chemistry 111A-112A-113A; a physical sciences
sequence that includes Geophysical Sciences 134; and an appropriate sequence
in biology, such as Biological Sciences 154-155-156.
Concentration Program with Emphasis on Biological Sciences. Courses
suggested to students who emphasize biological sciences include Biological
Sciences 240; Chemistry 217-218 or 220-221; Environmental Studies 214 and
250; and Physics 121-122-123 or 131-132-133.
Concentration Program with Emphasis on Physical Sciences. Courses suggested
to students who emphasize physical sciences include Chemistry 220-221-222
and Chemistry 201-202 and/or 262-263-267; Environmental Studies 214; Geophysical
Sciences 133; and Physics 121-122-123 or 131-132-133.
Concentration Program with Emphasis on Social Sciences. Courses suggested
to students who emphasize social sciences include Biological Sciences 240,
or 250, or 255; Environmental Studies 214, 220, and/or 265; and Public Policy
Studies 221, 222, and/or 223.
Environmental Studies Seminar. Students and faculty associated with
the concentration program meet regularly to present and discuss their work
and ideas. Concentrators are required to participate in the seminar but
without course credit.
Concentration 1 EnvStd 212
Requirements - EnvStd Seminar
1 Econ 198 or higher
1 Stat 200 or higher
2 additional social sciences courses of relevance
2 additional biological or physical sciences courses of relevance
3 additional courses in the area of emphasis
1 NCD 297 (senior paper)
11
Faculty
JONATHAN P. D. ABBATT, Assistant Professor, Department of the Geophysical
Sciences
DAVID ARCHER, Assistant Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences
R. STEPHEN BERRY, James Franck Distinguished Service Professor, Department
of Chemistry, Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies,
James Franck Institute, and the College
MICHAEL P. CONZEN, Professor, Committee on the Geographical Studies and
the College; Chairman, Committee on the Geographical Studies
DON L. COURSEY, Professor, Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy
Studies and the College; Dean, Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public
Policy Studies
JOHN E. FREDERICK, Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and
the College
ALAN L. KOLATA, Professor, Department of Anthropology and the College; Director,
Latin American Studies Center
HOWARD MARGOLIS, Professor, Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy
Studies and the College
MARVIN W. MIKESELL, Professor, Committee on the Geographical Studies and
the College
RALPH W. NICHOLAS, William Rainey Harper Professor, Department of Anthropology
and the College; President, International House
S. JAY OLSHANSKY, Research Associate (Assistant Professor), Department of
Medicine
DAVID W. OXTOBY, Professor, Department
of Chemistry, James Franck Institute, and the College; Director, James Franck
Institute; Dean, Division of Physical Sciences
FRANK M. RICHTER, Sewell L. Avery Distinguished Service Professor, Department
of the Geophysical Sciences and the College
THEODORE L. STECK, Professor, Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular
Biology and Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, Committee on Cell Physiology,
and the College; Chairman, Environmental Studies Program
MICHAEL STEIN, Professor, Department of Statistics and the College
GEORGE S. TOLLEY, Professor, Department of Economics; Director, Center for
Urban Studies
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