Environmental Studies and Sciences at Ithaca College
Program Design & Assessment
Overview
The B.A. in Environmental Studies gives majors the broad knowledge, analytical tools, teamwork, practical experience, and leadership skills necessary to become effective professionals.The B.S. in Environmental Science pairs the social and policy strengths of the environmental studies major with a rigorous science curriculum. All majors create a concentration in their specific area of interest.
Impetus
The department had been an interdisciplinary program prior to 2009. A stand-alone department was created from the efforts of two core faculty members and associated faculty.
Program Goals
The program is dedicated to educating students to become active inquirers and socially engaged leaders empowered to create a sustainable future.
Alumni Careers
Graduates go on to graduate programs or pursue careers in areas such as environmental consulting and management, aquatic toxicology, wildlife conservation, environmental outreach and education, and renewable energy implementation.
Program Assessment
The department has seven defined learning outcomes that are formally assessed using a self-reported survey completed by seniors. Learning outcomes are rated as exceeded, met, or not met. There is no collection of artifacts from students in our assessment program.
Courses and Sequencing
Entry into the program
Environmental SentinelsEnvironmental Science and Technology
Core courses
B.A. Core Courses:Environmental Seminar I and II; Human-Environment Geography; Interdisciplinary Physical Science; Statistics; History of American Environmental Thought; Environmental Research Methods; Senior Research
One course in each of the following areas: Ecological Perspective, Policy Perspective; Economic Perspective; Social and Cultural Perspective
B.S. Core Courses: Environmental Seminar I and II; Earth System Science I; Human-Environment Geography; Environmental Research Methods; Senior Research; Principles of Biology II; Principles of Physics I; Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory; Principles of Chemistry; Calculus I; Statistics; History of American Environmental Thought
Plus two from the following science courses: Principles of Biology I; General Ecology; Organic Chemistry I; Earth System Science II; Principles of Physics II
Electives
All majors create their own concentration, which consists of 15 credits (four to five classes) and can include internships and Independent Environmental Research. This is essentially how students take electives.
Electives list:
Earth System Science II; Environmental/Independent Research; Topics in Sustainability; Topics in Geography and Planning; Topics in Earth Science; Topics in Pollution; Topics in Natural Resources and Ecology; Topics in Environmental Humanities; Environmental Archaeology; Internship, Non-Timber Forest Products
Capstone
Capstone Experience and Senior Research
Other requirements or key features
All majors must complete a Cultural Immersion experience that does have any earned credits. To fulfill this requirement, the experience must be off campus, be at least 40 hours, and take place within a culture or community that is different from the student's.