The Environmental Studies (ES) major offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes coursework from numerous departments and programs spanning the arts & humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.  ES aims to provide each student with an understanding of the complex interrelationships of humans and the environments they live in, including a grounding in science, human affairs and attitudes toward nature. Moreover, the ES Program aims to cultivate a sense of environmental citizenship and stewardship through service-learning and field experiences and a place-based curriculum.  The ES Program’s skills component prepares students either for graduate studies or to become environmental professionals in varied fields.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Environmental Studies B.A. students will be able to:
   • describe the history and forms of human-environment relations.
   • collect, evaluate, and analyze the quality of interdisciplinary environmental information.
   • communicate one’s views and knowledge on environmental topics to others using interdisciplinary approaches.
   • complete a project of independent scholarship or applied learning.
   • identify the application of the discipline in the profession.

In the fall of their second year, students are encouraged to participate in the Adirondack Experience, an applied and place-based learning program utilizing the largest park in the lower 48 which is right in our backyard.  The program combines our introductory course with two-three other required courses and numerous field trips to explore contemporary environmental issues.  Later on in the program, after the sophomore or junior year, the optional internship/field experience provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the environmental field. Finally, in a capstone seminar, seniors develop and present an independent research project.

Please note:

• Each student is also required to complete an accompanying minor or second major in a discipline of their choosing.
• No more than two courses can count both toward the Environmental Studies student’s minor or second major.
• A grade of 2.0/S or better must be achieved in all courses counted towards the environmental studies major.
• For the Humanities, Social Science, and Science Electives, students may petition the program to accept other suitable courses.
• Some of the listed courses have prerequisites; students should consult the College Catalog.