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BA in Environmental Studies

Description

The interdepartmental and interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at Rowan University achieves both breadth and focus in its curriculum in order to respond to the growing need for well-rounded, well-trained environmental experts in industry, government, and education. Environmental problems are priority issues of national and global concern. Basic coursework in biology, chemistry, ethics, geology and social sciences, as well as the application of basic science and research methodology to environmental issues are the strengths of the program. The program emphasizes the interdisciplinary aspects of the environment, providing graduates with the necessary background for environmental positions in industry, government, and education, as well as placement as strong candidates for graduate programs in environmental sciences.

The Program

a. Goals

The Bachelor of Artsin Environmental Studies provides a broad, interdisciplinary education with specialization tracks in either the Natural Sciences or the Social Sciences. Grounded in specially-designed courses that link the biological, chemical, physical, and social aspects of the environment, this degree provides students the flexibility to focus their work in any of these areas while obtaining some exposure to each field of knowledge. The program highlights the main concerns regarding our environment, and it is especially useful for individuals seeking a broader knowledge base and a deeper understanding of the environment. The program will be useful for a career in many environmental fields, as well as those in the field of education and law and policy making.

Upon completion of the program, students will:

1. Take a more perceptive view of the environment around them by learning ideas, principles and relationships within and between the different environmental components.

2. Be able to apply analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills in environmental related issues

3. Be able to identify and apply fundamental concepts and theories in environmental related issues

4. Be able to analyze data and draw reasonable and valid inferences

5. Be able to communicate about environmental related issues

6. Be able to apply techniques, methods and tools used in the environmental field.

7. Have an appreciation for the role and impact of ethics in environmental decisions.

b. Specific Objectives

Environmental problems are priority issues of national and global concern. Understanding of such issues (i.e. global warming, acid deposition, loss of biodiversity, etc.) has become mandatory among individual in government, industry, and the scientific community. New technologies must be developed along with the necessary education and implementation procedures.

Solutions for complex environmental problems are best found through interdisciplinary interaction. Approaches that integrate all the relevant sciences and that fully consider the human and social dimensions will probably enjoy political and financial support for implementation. Students in the Bachelor in Environmental Studies will develop competency in an understanding of different approaches and perspectives to environmental issues. One of the most important reasons for proposing an interdisciplinary environmental studies program is that any environmental problem involves more than one discipline.

This interdisciplinary program, administered by campus-wide faculty, brings together knowledge, processes, and perspectives of various related disciplines dealing with the environment. After completion of the program, graduates will have the necessary background to deal with environmental problems in educational, governmental, business, legal and scientific settings.

In order to be able to truly understand how organisms interact with their environment, we must know about chemical and biological aspects of the environment. Equally important, workers in the field must be able to deal with the social ramifications and community effects in any given environmental study. Environmentalists have the added burden of dealing with moral or ethical issues. Every environmentalist must have the basic understanding of the interrelationship of these fields in order to be able to understand the whole picture. Another important aspect of any environmental study is the collection and analysis of date. Accurate data gathering and experimental design are critical in order to formulate theory and applications.

For the above mentioned, a series of core courses have been designed. The purpose of our core requirement is to give all students enrolled in the program the training that will allow seeing all aspects of environmental problems. With this core, students will have the interdisciplinary perspective. Students will prove that they have mastered these concepts with successful completion of their senior year project. Here, they are expected to select a project, gather data, and reach a conclusion that is scientifically sound.