Environmental Studies BS

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 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.

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.

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.