Dec 13, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science and Sustainability - Major


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Director: William L. Hallahan, Ph.D.

Sustainable living is a necessity if humans intend to avoid extinction.  This program provides a comprehensive academic curriculum for people who want to become informed decision-makers and participate in the transformation toward a sustainable society.  These decisions must be based on an understanding of ecology, economics and their social and political impact.  This major provides a core of required science courses with two tracks: (1) Ecology and Natural Resources and (2) Economics, Green Business, Policy, and Law.  The field study or internship is a unique feature of the program and is included in both tracks.  These two tracks are structured to address the two key elements in the understanding of sustainability: ecology and economics. The program prepares students for careers in research, government jobs, sustainability and graduate study so that they can participate in the global revolution toward sustainable living on the earth.

Note: See list of Minors for related minors in Bioethics , Biology , Pre-Dental , Pre-Medical  and Pre-Veterinary .

Science Core


The foundation of this program is based on the fundamentals of biology and chemistry.  Some of these courses are also part of the Nazareth College core curriculum; these courses include a “Q” in the prefix.

Semester Abroad Opportunities


An understanding through authentic, experience-based learning about other countries of the world is essential for the understanding and participation in global sustainability. Nazareth College students have participated in two study-abroad programs that address sustainability. A semester of study in Costa Rica focusing on the sustainability of tropical forest ecology is available through AIFS and course selection with the academic advisor will insure that a full semester of courses will transfer to Nazareth College. The Nazareth College Berlin Program provides an academic and experiential opportunity with courses in economics, sustainable practices in Europe, and the politics of achieving sustainability. A full semester of seventeen credits includes an intensive course in the German language as well as liberal arts electives plus an internship (applied toward ENV 454). More information on these opportunities can be found on the Biology Department, Study Abroad Opportunities web page.

Capstone Experience for Environmental Science - Major


For Environmental Science and Sustainability majors, the Capstone Seminars are a component of the core curriculum. Capstone Seminar I (Env. 350) is taken in the spring of the junior year.  This first semester develops scientific reasoning, research and communication skills essential for Environmental Science majors, and encourages the integration of students’ scientific experience with other modes of inquiry. The second and third Capstone Seminars (ENV 450, 451) are devoted to the preparation and presentation of a major research paper based on original laboratory research or extensive synthesis and a report on research literature.  The Capstone Seminars enable students to integrate materials from diverse courses within biology, environmental science, and sustainable practices while using knowledge and skills from their entire college experience to reflect upon and communicate that material to each other through written and oral presentations.

Environmental Science and Sustainability Sample Program: Ecology & Natural Resource Track


 

Sophomore Year


 

Junior Year


 

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