Department of Environment and Sustainability
602 Clemens HallNorth Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4670
Dr. Nicholas Henshue
Director of Undergraduate Studies
njhenshu@buffalo.edu
Why study Environmental Studies BS at UB?
Designed for students who find the environmental perspective compelling, Environmental Studies is a field that studies how human society intersects with the natural environment. The major encompasses the study of the natural and social sciences in order to understand environmental problems and processes. Fieldwork and internships are a required part of the curriculum. Specialty tracks provide a body of course work and experiences that prepare a student for a defined area within the field of environmental studies.
A BS degree can generally be distinguished from a BA degree in a variety of ways. Firstly, a BS degree requires more credits directly linked to a major. Secondly, this additional coursework is focused upon mastering various technical and practical skills of that major. As a result, a BS degree allows students to experience a field of study at a more in-depth level. The Environmental Studies BS degree mirrors this description by adding additional course requirements from the BA degree in the areas of Environmental Chemistry, Ecology Lab Fieldwork and Geographic Information Systems. Most students who pursue the Environmental Studies BS degree tend to choose the more science-based specialized Track in the areas of Environmental Resources and Management whereas those students that pursue the Environmental Studies BA degree most often pursue a specialized Track in the areas of Environmental Policy and Sustainability.
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this concentration will:
- Understand critical concepts in environmental studies in the areas of ecological analysis, conservation biology and general ecology
- Understand the principles and processes of biological evolution; the interrelated physical processes; principles of ecology and ecological research; engage in and understand the processes and techniques of conducting environmental fieldwork
- Understand the interaction of historical, social and political phenomena with environmental issues; identify ethical, spiritual and aesthetic considerations that affect environmental attitudes and behavior
- Understand the foundational statistical methods and computing processes used to evaluate data in the environmental field
- Understand the role of environmental law/regulation in environmental issues; understand the interdisciplinary nature of environmental understanding; practice environmental education techniques and strategies
- Understand the professional opportunities available through a well-defined series of Environmental Tracks in the areas of Environmental Policy, Education and Natural Resources
- Gain practical experiences through a variety of field-based courses and diverse opportunities in a well-established Environmental Internship Program
Understand key concepts in environmental chemistry and the techniques of ecological analysis
The Learning Environment
The Environmental Studies major is designed to offer choice and flexibility in building the program most suitable for individual interests and career goals.
Courses are taught in both large lecture, small seminar and field course formats. Prerequisite and introductory courses for the major typically enroll 40-200 students per class. Core courses and upper level track courses enroll 25 to 100 students per class.
About Our Facilities
The Environmental Studies major is part of the Department of Environment and Sustainability, housed in Clemens Hall on UB’s North Campus. The department holds classes in centrally scheduled space throughout the campus, which includes traditional classrooms and lecture halls that can accommodate the program’s teaching philosophies.
About Our Faculty
Students take courses from faculty in the Department of Environment and Sustainability as well as faculty from across the College of Arts and Sciences allowing them to also interact with faculty from departments such as geography, geology, biology, and sociology. Instruction or grading responsibilities for some of these courses may be assigned to teaching assistants.
Faculty List Directory
Please visit the Faculty Directory at the Department of Environment and Sustainability website for additional information about our faculty.
Career Outlook
Students who graduate from the Environmental Studies major are prepared to work in government, community education and organizing, and environmental business. Students have reported obtaining employment with the Office of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the New York Public Interest Research Group, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office and the Western New York Clean Air Coalition.
The interdisciplinary structure of the major prepares students to go on to advanced study in biology, environmental policy, environmental psychology and environmental science. Students have gone on to advanced studies at Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, University of Minnesota, SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry.
Academic Advising
Admission to the major and advisement for students are coordinated through the department office in 602 Clemens Hall. There is at least one advisor assigned to the major. We provide advisement for students on the specific requirements of the major as well as university requirements. Our advisors work closely with the general advising office, financial aid and student accounts to help students find answers to questions about all aspects of being an undergraduate at UB.
Advising is provided by the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advising Services and the Department of Environment and Sustainability.
Academic Advising Contact Information
Please call our office at 716-645-6777 or email our office to make an appointment with an advisor. The two primary academic advisors for Environmental Studies are Mr. Sanford Geffner-who also oversees all internships and experiential work-and Dr. Craig Thomas.
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Scholarships and Financial Support
Students in our program may qualify for scholarships and financial support from a number of other sources, including: