Environmental Science and Policy

Undergraduate Program

Environmental science and policy is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that emphasizes policy questions about the environment and the use and misuse of technology. How should industry’s use of toxic materials be regulated? How should scarce water resources and fisheries be managed in different countries and cultures? What is the role of technology in preserving the environment for future generations? The goal of the program is to prepare individuals to deal with technical and environmental issues in society. Environmental science and policy majors learn about natural sciences and qualitative analysis as well as the role of institutions in society and the political process. They explore the use of science in policy making.

Environmental science and policy faculty, from a wide variety of departments and disciplines, actively participate in policy making through research and consulting. Their activities include: assessing the risk of radioactive waste to Native American communities, advising state agencies on limiting the use of toxic chemicals by industry, climate change and energy technology, evaluating water supply and sanitation in Mexico, advising industry on management of technological hazards, and designing decision tools for the Environmental Protection Agency. Undergraduates gain invaluable hands-on research experience through collaborative projects with faculty and graduate students.

With courses such as Climate Systems and Global Environmental, Earth Systems Science, Biochemical Cycles, and Limits of the Earth, students learn about the condition and future of life on Earth. They acquire scientific methods and tools for analysis in courses like Environmental Chemistry, Discovering Environmental Science, Hydrology, Computer and Quantitative Methods, Energy and Environment, Ecology, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Sustainable Fisheries, and Advanced Remote Sensing. Those concerned with the effects of pollutants on human health—and with policies to manage these risks—can take Cancer: Science and Society, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Risks/Hazards or Environmental Law. Courses such as Environmental Ethics, Corporate Environmental Management, Societal Evaluation of Environmental Hazards, or Sustainability, Institutions and Policy Making focus on societal institutions, values and norms. Emphasis of all these courses is on the effects of human activities on the natural environment and public health and on the use of science in policy making.

Student-Faculty Research

Research provides a valuable opportunity to explore a major issue in depth, often working side by side with a faculty member and graduate students. Recent research projects range from “Nutrient Loading of Patches Reservoir” to “Lifestyle, Culture and Environmental Hazards” and “The Effect of Forest Management on Biodiversity in the Adirondacks.” 

Internships

Internships broaden environmental science and policy students' perspectives and knowledge while they work with governmental or nonprofit organizations on important environmental issues. A combination of work experience and research in their field proves invaluable when students enter the job market. Recently, enironmental science and policy students have had internships with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, University of Massachusetts Field Station on Integrated pest management, Blackstone River Watershed Association, GZA Enviromental Engineering Consulting Firm, Mass Electric Company, Texas Instruments, WasteCap of Massachusetts, Sepracor Pharmaceuticals, and Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES).

Click here to read more.

The Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program

The Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program provides more intensive study of environmental science and policy combined with a liberal arts B.A. degree. Students with a 3.25 GPA must apply for this program by the junior year to receive full-tuition remission.

Careers

With the growing concern about sustaining our environment through effective government and corporate policies, professionals schooled in environmental science and policy are increasing in demand. This major prepares students for problem-solving jobs in state or federal environmental or planning agencies, environmental companies in the United States, Latin America and Europe, as well as national and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Environmental science and policy majors have pursued professional degrees in environmental law, public health, education and medicine as well as doctoral degrees in various fields. This program pays close attention to new trends in environmental careers, keeping up-to-date to meet the needs of graduates and their future employers.

Environmental science and policy is an ideal major for students planning to continue in professional schools, because its requirements dovetail with those for many premedical and predental programs. The number of jobs available to graduating environmental science and policy majors increases every year. For more information about the undergraduate program in environmental science and policy, visit our Web site at www.clarku.edu/ idce/environmentalscience/ba.

About Environmental Science and Policy

Department Home Program Requirements Honors Graduate Program

Additional Resources

Hallmarks of the Clark Experience History of Clark Accreditation Academic Program Departments, Offices and Special Programs Tuition and Financial Aid Admission Requirements Bachelor's Degree Requirements Facilities Student Resources Graduate Program Faculty Administration The Corporation Academic Calendar