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Since environmental issues are often multidisciplinary, Eastern Nazarene College has developed a BA in Environmental Studies that is combined with a BA in another program like education; business, crime, law, and justice; or theater for social justice to prepare students to make a positive impact in the world.
Field of Study: Environmental Studies
Division: Traditional Undergraduate
Location: Quincy, MA
Options: Major
Degrees: B.A.
Environmental issues affect every part of our lives, both in our communities and throughout the world. An Environmental Studies degree helps students tackle environmental problems and become environmentally responsible citizens. Since environmental issues are often multidisciplinary, students in the environmental studies major consider social, economic, and other implications of environmental concerns. Eastern Nazarene College has developed the BA in Environmental Studies that is combined with a BA in another program and includes, but is not limited to, the study of education; crime, law, and justice; business; or theater for social justice.
Students learn environmental studies from professors who have worked for environmental companies and have practical knowledge and experience solving environmental problems. Students benefit from small class sizes where they use lab and field equipment under the guidance of their professors. They have access to internships in the Greater Boston Area, including New England Aquarium, Neponset River Watershed Association, South Shore Natural Science Center, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Friends of the Blue Hills, Museum of Science, Quincy Climate Action Network, Buttonwoods Park Zoo, and Roger Williams Park Zoo. Finally, they have the opportunity to participate in travel courses to destinations like Hawaii and Costa Rica to put their education into practice.
The core curriculum in environmental studies encompasses courses in environmental science, biology, chemistry, and math. Students take classes and labs such as Introduction to Ecology and Diversity, Environmental Science, Environmental Ethics and Policy, and Conservation Biology as well as biology, chemistry, and statistics. They also have the opportunity to experience environmental issues outside of the US in courses like Field Problems in Ecology/Tropical Ecology. In addition, students research and propose their own research projects in a sequence of two seminar courses designed to teach them how to read, write, and speak like a scientist.
Students in this degree program complete seven credits of environmental science electives that include courses in environmental science, biology, or chemistry. Many students study genetics, marine or freshwater biology, bioinformatics, microbiology, comparative anatomy, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, and current topics in biology/environmental science. Descriptions of these courses may be found in the Biology and Chemistry departments.
Environmental studies majors take three cognate courses: Introduction to Statistics, Physical Science, and Chemistry of Life (descriptions of these courses may be found in the math, physics, and chemistry departments). Finally, students are required to do an internship for a minimum of four hours per week for 10 weeks, where they gain practical experience outside of the classroom in a specific area of environmental science that is of interest to them. Internships may be completed throughout the Boston area or at home, usually during the summer. While it is possible to do an internship during the academic year, it may be challenging with a full schedule of classes and labs.
To complete the credits required for graduation, students add an additional major, minor, or other classes in a related topic.
Armed with a dual degree in Environmental Studies and another discipline, students are ready to make a difference in a career that may include environmental non-profit management, environmental education, social justice advocacy, or environmental business, to name just a few.
Students have gone on to pursue graduate school or certificate programs at Green Mountain College, Clark University, and the University of Rhode Island. Some alumni are working for state environmental agencies, while other graduates have chosen to pursue careers with environmental consulting firms, renewable energy companies, and non-profit organizations.
Upon completion of the BA in Environmental Studies degree, graduates will be able to:
For course descriptions, requirements, focus areas, options, and other program details see our full course catalog.
23 East Elm Ave • Quincy, MA 02170 • 617-745-3000
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