Environmental Science & Policy

What Makes our Environmental Programs Different?

• The natural environment of the Rindge campus includes over 1,000 acres of forest, fields, wetlands and streams, next to beautiful Pearly Pond. These “outdoor learning laboratories” help students learn land management and conservation firsthand.
• Experiential learning opportunities abound, including the Institute for Climate Action, food gardens, campus sustainability initiatives, trail construction and maintenance, wetland and water quality research, weather monitoring, climate impact research, wildlife studies, and other projects.
• Pathways to Graduate Programs: 3-2 Bachelor’s-to-Master of Science in Env. Studies agreement with Antioch Graduate School, 4+1 Master’s in Business Administration in Energy and Sustainability.
• Field study in Costa Rica and Cape Cod: Take a two-week trip to learn about the forest ecosystems and indigenous wildlife of Costa Rica; or spend one week on Cape Cod to immerse yourself in the ecology of coastal ecosystems.

Where can a degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies take me?

Who should study Environmental Science/Environmental Studies?

Majoring in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies is right for you if:

• You are passionate about nature
• You enjoy spending time outdoors
• You love learning about wildlife
• You are concerned about the future of life on Earth
• You want to help find solutions to the problems of climate change, species extinctions, pollution, industrial agriculture, unsustainable cities, environmental racism and other related issues
• You are excited by the new green economy, wildlife management, ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, land protection, nature-based solutions and sustainable ethics

On-Campus Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

Our Environmental Science/Studies curriculum creates a knowledge base and a set of key skills:

• Knowledge base: Focuses on the scientific principles governing the natural world, and the social, economic, and ethical concepts that determine how humans interact with the earth. The core principles of sustainability are central to the program.
• Skills development: Includes plant and animal identification, mapping, data collection, quantitative analysis and computer skills, as well as problem-solving, teamwork, project management, presentation skills and critical thinking.

See our curriculum plan to learn how you will progress through the on-campus BA or BS program.

 

minor in environmental studies

The minor in Environmental Studies is intended to provide students not majoring in Environmental Science with an interdisciplinary concentration that emphasizes the many interactions between humans and the local and global environments. It is designed to build understanding of these relationships by examining areas of anthropology, biology, conservation, policy, law and sociology as they relate to the natural world.

The minor requires completion of six courses:

• ES103 Introduction to Ecosystem and Wildlfe Conservation
• ES104 Introduction to Natural Resource Conservation
• Two courses from the Human Society Electives list.
• Two courses from the Natural Science Electives list.