Environmental Studies A major that makes a real difference in our world. In January 2010, Saint Peter’s University established its Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies. This new major was implemented as President Barack Obama announced a tax credit program that will allocate $2.3 billion for the clean energy manufacturing sector, which is expected to create 17,000 jobs. With private firms investing $5.4 billion, this will also allow for the creation of an additional 41,000 jobs. “The president’s announcement of funding to advance employment in the environmental sector of our country could not have had better timing,” Saint Peter’s University President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., stated. “We’re proud to be able to provide our students with the expertise to effectively fill career roles in the sustainable energy industry.” The Environmental Studies program at Saint Peter’s is aimed at providing students with the educational background and leadership skills necessary to effectively address the issues involved in the social, economic, political, cultural and technological context of ecological sustainability.
What can you do with an Environmental Studies degree? The Environmental Studies major will prepare students interested in the environment to enter the corporate world, government, media, community-based organizations, or the legal profession. Although based on a solid science foundation, it is not focused on students who are interested in a career in science. Students majoring in Environmental Studies will be able to: • synthesize and apply knowledge from the natural and social sciences, business, and the humanities to the study of environmental issues; • critically analyze environmental issues using an interdisciplinary approach; • incorporate ethical and legal concepts in the examination of environmental issues; • apply principles of economics and political strategies for the betterment of the environment; • use problem solving, creativity, and the scientific method to generate solutions to environmental problems and maximize sustainability; • distinguish between scientific and emotional arguments; • integrate and apply issues related to social justice into an understanding of environmental issues and policies; • integrate theory and practice through field and/or internship experiences. For course descriptions and additional information visit
www.saintpeters.edu/academics 11/21
“We’re proud to be able to provide our students with the expertise to effectively fill career roles in the sustainable energy industry.” – Saint Peter’s University President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.
Program Goals: 1. Provide students with a solid foundation in the natural and social sciences and in an interdisciplinary perspective on environmental issues 2. Enable students to acquire an understanding of the social, economic, political, cultural and technological context of ecological sustainability 3. Provide a perspective grounded in ethical values 4. Through the choice of concentration within the major, relate the environmental topics to career options 5. Prepare students to become more informed citizens 6. Prepare students for graduate study
Make a difference to our world! Please contact Program Director David S. Surrey, Ph.D. at dsurrey@saintpeters.edu.
Environmental Studies Learning Goals and Mission The Mission of the Environmental Studies major and minor is to heighten awareness among students about the environmental problems facing the world in general and the U.S. in particular, and to consider possible solutions. As such, it will serve students who wish to pursue a career specifically dealing with the environment as well as students seeking to become more knowledgeable about these issues.
Consistency with the University’s Mission and Strategic Goals: The program in Environmental Studies is consistent with the mission and strategic goals of the college to enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills and values needed for leadership in serving others and shaping society’s response to social, technological and environmental change. As a Jesuit institution, we are uniquely qualified to address the issues with a consistent emphasis on ethical issues in addition to more pragmatic concerns.
Major in Environmental Studies
Minor in Environmental Studies
This major prepares students to work in a variety of settings, such as community-based organizations, corporations, or government agencies and in positions requiring interdisciplinary expertise, such as those in media, education, or public policy. Although based on a solid science foundation, the major is not intended for students interested in a career in science.
Required courses: EV-100 Introduction to Environmental Studies CH-131 General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis I CH-131-L General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis I Lab OR BI-183 General Biology I BI-185 General Biology I Lab EV-295 Environmental Internship EV-312 Biology of Environmental Change
Required courses: EV-100 Introduction to Environmental Studies BI-183-184 General Biology I and II BI-185-186 General Biology Labs I and II CH-131 General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis I CH-131-L General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis I Lab MA-132 Statistics for Life Sciences EV-295 Environmental Internship EV-304 Environmental Ethics EV-327 Environmental Politics and Policies
3 cr 6 cr 2 cr 3 cr 1 cr 3 cr 3 cr 3 cr 3 cr
Select two courses from the following electives: BI-130 Natural History of New Jersey 3 cr PC-140 How Things Work 3 cr EV-155 Introduction to Environmental Politics 3 cr EV-200 Economics of Environmental Decisions 3 cr EV-221 Surveillance in the Cyber City 3 cr PL-241 Environmental Ethics 3 cr EV-253 Environmental Art and Issue 3 cr EV-300 Ethics, Theology and Environmental Decisions 3 cr EV-312 Biology of Environmental Change 3 cr EV-313 Evolution, Ecology, Adaptation 3 cr EV-393 Civilization and Disease 3 cr EV-394 Epidemiology 3 cr EV-400 Environmental Ethics 3 cr TOTAL 33 credits 11/21
3 cr 3 cr 1 cr 3 cr 1 cr 3 cr 3 cr
Select two courses from the following (this list is examples): BI-130 Natural History of New Jersey 3 cr EV-155 Introduction to Environmental Politics 3 cr EV-200 Economics of Environmental Decisions 3 cr EV-304 Ecological Ethics 3 cr EV-327 Environmental Politics and Policies 3 cr SO-232 China: Environmental Change and Possibilities 3 cr EV-313 Evolution, Ecology, Adaptation 3 cr TOTAL
19 credits
For course descriptions and additional information visit
www.saintpeters.edu/academics