International Development, Environment and Sustainability

International Development, Environment and Sustainability

CO-DIRECTORS: L. ELGERT and L. STODDARD

ASSOCIATED FACULTY: M. Bakermans (BB), C. Brown (SSPS), C. Clark (HUA), J. Doyle (SSPS), K. Foo (IGSD), R. Gottlieb (HUA), R. Krueger (SSPS), C. Kurlanska (IGSD), S. LePage (CEE), J. MacDonald (CBC), P. Mathiesen (CEE), G. Pfeifer (UGS), R. Rao (BB), D. Rosbach (CEE), I. Shockey (IGSD), S. Tuler (IGSD)

Mission Statement

Our planet faces urgent environmental, social, and techno- logical crises. Because these problems involve peoples, natures, planetary systems, and technologies, we need new scientific and engineering approaches that are informed by the social sciences, humanities, the arts, and people’s real lives. We must therefore challenge convention. IDEaS therefore offers a major and minor in Environmental Sustainability Studies. The major can be chosen as a stand- alone course of study or be connected with other degree programs, which could range from chemical engineering, to biology and chemistry, or civil engineering. IDEaS also offers a minor in Science and Engineering for International Development. Either degree option invites students to explore the technical area of their choice: to become competent engineers and scientists. These programs also teach those skills for the future workplace: interdisciplinary collaboration; complex problem solving of socio-technical issues; written and oral communication; and the dexterity and creativity to excel in changing contexts .

Educational Outcomes

Graduating Students will: 1. Be able to identify, analyze, and development solutions to environmental and socio-economic problems creatively. 2. Have mastered fundamental concepts and methods of inquiry in their areas of specialization, whether environmental or developmental thought, policy, or methodology. 3. Be able to make connections between disciplines and integrate information from multiple sources. 4. Be aware of how their decision-making processes affect and are affected by other individuals separated across time and space. 5. Be aware of personal, societal, and professional ethical standards. 6. Have interpersonal and communication skills and a professional attitude necessary for a successful career. 7. Understand and employ current technological tools. 8. Have the ability to engage in life-long learning.

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major Distribution Requirements

Requirements Minimum Units

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Core (Note 1) 1 Mathematics & Basic Science (Note 2) 2 2/3 Environmental Science and Engineering (Note 3) 3 Basic Social Science and Humanities (Note 4) 1 Environmental Social Science or Humanities (Note 5) 2 MQP 1 Total 10 2/3

Notes

1. Only courses with the prefix ENV count toward this requirement. Must include the senior seminar in environmental studies. 2. Must include 2/3 unit of calculus, 1/3 unit of statistics, 2/3 unit of chemistry, and 2/3 unit of biology. May include 1/3 unit of basic engineering with the permission of the Environmental Studies Program

Review Committee. 3. All courses with prefixes BB, CE, CH, CHE, ES, GE, and

PH may qualify under this requirement. BB courses must be at the 2000 level or higher. Must include 1/3 unit of ecology. Must include 1/3 unit of engineering at the 2000 level or higher. The 3 units of environmental science and engineering courses must be coherently defined and approved by the

Environmental Studies Program Review Committee. 4. Must include 1/3 unit of economics, 1/3 unit of public policy or political science, and 1/3 unit of either history or philosophy. 5. Must include 1/3 unit environmental economics, 1/3 unit environmental policy, 1/3 unit environmental philosophy, and 1/3 unit environmental history.

Major Qualifying Project (1 unit)

The MQP is expected to provide an integrative capstone research experience in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Several types of MQPs are possible: a research study in a particular science or social science discipline, a holistic examination of an environmental problem from an interdisciplinary perspective, or a philosophical or historical analysis of an environmental issue. WPI faculty from

academic disciplines including biology, chemistry, economics, geography, history, philosophy, psychology and public policy are associated with the Environmental Studies program and can advise Environmental Studies MQPs related to their area of expertise.

Environmental IQP Opportunities

WPI students can complete an IQP in a wide variety of areas at the intersection of society and technology, and there is no requirement that Environmental and Sustainability Studies students do an environmentally-related IQP. However, for interested students, numerous opportunities exist for environmental IQPs on campus and at off-campus centers.Many other environmentally themed projects are offered on campus as well. Typical project topics include issues of public health, renewable energy, land conservation, air quality and water quality, urban environments, and environmental justice. In some circumstances students may, with the approval of their IQP advisor, their academic advisor, and the Environmental Studies Program Review Committee, complete additional work on an environmental IQP that qualifies the project to count as an Environmental Studies MQP. However, students must still complete two separate, distinct projects, one IQP and one MQP, to meet the requirements for graduation. Type: Bachelor of Arts

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Minor

Students taking minors in environmental studies are expected to designate a member of the Environmental Studies associated faculty as their SS minor advisor, who will assist them in preparing a program that meets the requirements of the minor. Students can obtain assistance at the Environmental Studies Program office in designating an advisor.

Requirements

Units

Environmental Studies Core (Note 1) 2/3 Environmental Social Science and Humanities (Note 2) 1 Environmental Studies Capstone (Note 3) 1/3

Notes

1. Only courses with the prefix ENV count toward this requirement. 2. Students must either select courses for breadth, or they may choose a thematic set of courses for depth.

At least two of these courses should be above the 2000 level. Additional ENV courses not counted toward the core requirement may be counted here.

Students may substitute up to two courses in environmental science with the approval of the

Environmental Studies Program Review Committee. 3. The capstone requirement will normally be met by taking ENV4400, Senior Seminar in Environmental

Studies. With the approval of the Program Review

Committee, the capstone requirement may also be fulfilled via independent study. Students are also strongly encouraged to do an environmental/ sustainability related IQP.

Type: Minor

Approved Social Science and Humanities Courses

Item # Title Units

ECON 2117 GOV 2311 GOV 2312 PY 2717 HI 2401 ECON 2125 EN 2237 HI 2351 HI 3317 SD 1510 Environmental Economics 1/3

Environmental Policy and Law

1/3 International Environmental Policy 1/3 Philosophy and the Environment 1/3 U.S. Environmental History Development Economics 1/3 1/3

Literature and the Environment 1/3

History of Ecology Topics in Environmental History Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling 1/3 1/3 1/3

Example Sequence: ENV Minor with Breadth

Many other sequences are possible.

Item # Title

BB 2040 HI 2401 ECON 2117 Environmental Studies Core Environmental Studies Capstone Principles of Ecology U.S. Environmental History Environmental Economics

Units

2/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3

Example Sequence: ENV Minor with Depth (Social Science)

Many other sequences are possible.

Item # Title Units

GOV 2311 GOV 2312 ECON 2117 Environmental Studies Core 2/3

Environmental Studies Capstone 1/3

Environmental Policy and Law

1/3 International Environmental Policy 1/3 Environmental Economics 1/3