Temple University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary major offered by the Department of Geography and Urban Studies that examines the nature, causes and consequences of human interactions with the environment. Students in Environmental Studies gain the intellectual and methodological tools to understand and address the crucial environmental issues of our time and the impact on individuals, society, and the planet. Students are introduced to a physical lab science, an understanding of the economic system, and social science methods in order to prepare for our core courses. The Environmental Studies core courses are designed to develop the theoretical and methodological frameworks and tools necessary to understand the relationships between people and their environment as they interact through local to global connections. Students examine environmental policy and the role of political institutions; environmental decision-making; natural hazards and risk assessment; environmental ethics and legal issues; and environmental justice. The electives give students the opportunity to develop an area of emphasis around their particular interests.

The Environmental Science BS is an interdisciplinary degree program that offers students a well-rounded background in the sciences. Students complete a sequence of courses in biology, mathematics and chemistry, and combine this with classes from geology, geography, and economics in order to gain an understanding of the nature of environmental problems and the socioeconomic factors that influence them. Students will be given the opportunity to study specific environmental problems such as groundwater contamination, suburban sprawl, river basin management, environmental justice, and the greening of abandoned urban spaces. The capstone for this major is the Senior Research Seminar in which students gain experience with studying actual environmental issues and methodologies to resolve them.

This undergraduate certificate will provide an opportunity for students to further their knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable systems from the viewpoint of different disciplines, to help them become effective leaders and agents of change for sustainability, and to make them more competitive in the changing job market as some sectors move to a green collar economy.

Students in the School of Environmental Design as well as students in other colleges, schools, and departments may choose a Minor in Ecological Planning and Design. Through this minor students pursue courses which deepen their understanding of the concept of ecological planning and design. That is, they learn a process of decision making that ensures that development is compatible with natural resources and processes and that takes into consideration social, political, economic, and governance factors to achieve sustainable outcomes. This prepares students for lifelong contributions to the environmental sustainability of the communities in which they live and work. Also the minor provides undergraduates with an opportunity to explore the option of graduate studies in planning, landscape architecture, or horticulture.

Students who are interested in the environment and in learning how to impact the world around them positively may want to consider completing the School of Environmental Design credit Certificate in Environmental Sustainability. This certificate provides students with the basic knowledge needed to evaluate environmental problems and to draw ecologically- and economically-sound connections between environmental needs, policy issues, and current research.

Minor in Environmental Studies - Students in Environmental Studies gain the intellectual and methodological tools to understand and address the crucial environmental issues of our time and the impact on individuals, society, and the planet. The minor in Environmental Studies is composed of 18 credits. http://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/liberal-arts/environmental-studies/minor-environmental-studies/ Minor in Sustainability Food Systems - Students in the School of Environmental Design as well as students in other colleges, schools, and departments may choose a Minor in Sustainable Food Systems. Through this minor students investigate the complexities of food systems through an interdisciplinary approach that includes horticulture, planning, and public health. Students explore the relationship of farmland preservation, food production practices, and supply alternatives that improve local economies, reduce energy consumption, lower environmental impact, and ensure widespread access to affordable and healthy food. This prepares students to contribute to the overall sustainability of the communities in which they live and work and strengthens students' preparation to work as professionals in environmentally-oriented fields or as citizen activists. Also the minor provides undergraduates with an opportunity to explore the option of graduate studies in planning, horticulture, or related fields.(http://bulletin.temple.edu/search/?P=food+systems) The Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems is available to all undergraduate degree students to complete as part of their studies, and is also available to non-degree students. Through this certificate students investigate the complexities of food systems through an interdisciplinary approach that includes horticulture, planning, and public health. Students explore the relationship of farmland preservation, food production practices, and supply alternatives that improve local economies, reduce energy consumption, lower environmental impact, and ensure widespread access to affordable and healthy food. This prepares students to contribute to the overall sustainability of the communities in which they live and work and strengthens students' preparation to work as professionals in environmentally-oriented fields or as citizen activists. Also the certificate provides students with an opportunity to explore the option of further studies in planning, horticulture, or related fields. (http://bulletin.temple.edu/search/?P=food+systems)

Completed in Fall 2014. List of sustainability degree offerings: http://sustainability.temple.edu/academics-and-research/degree-offerings