Department Facts

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You Will Gain

  • Enhanced understanding—from scientific, social, and humanities perspectives—of the environment and current environmental issues.
  • Experience in solving actual environmental problems.
  • Ability to use modern research methods to explain observations about the natural world and about societies.
  • A network of alumni in government, industry, and the academic world linking students to jobs and graduate programs.

Distinctions

  • One of the oldest environmental science departments in the country (established in 1972).
  • Numerous opportunities for experiential learning in nearby natural environments: wetlands, lakes, streams, and forests, including a College-owned research reserve.
  • Extensive internship opportunities with local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit environmental organizations, and local industry.
  • Vigorous off-campus study programs in Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Israel, Ecuador and elsewhere.
  • Emphasis on independent research.
  • Required Senior Project that demonstrates to employers and graduate schools the ability to complete a major independent research project.
  • Faculty who involve students in local, state, national and international environmental issues and research.
  • A NASA New Investigator Award supports the study of the influences of El Niño climatic events in Philippine farming systems and forest use.
  • Awards from the National Science Foundation support student-faculty research on forest and aquatic ecosystems.
  • Grants totaling $1.3 million from the Heinz Endowment, Mellon Foundation, Eden Hall Foundation, Luce Foundation, and others support the College’s commitment to sustainable community development and improved environmental quality in northwestern Pennsylvania.
  • Faculty members have received prestigious Fulbright Scholar Awards.
  • Students have received prestigious Udall Scholarships for environmental leadership.