University of Minnesota, Duluth
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The purpose of the environment, sustainability and geography degree is to prepare students to create sustainable communities for present and future generations. This program provides students with the tools to understand the physical and social systems of the earth to become informed change makers locally and globally. Sustainability challenges are all around us: from climate change, to vulnerabilities in the industrial food system, to the way we design cities. One of the fundamental hurdles in a transition toward sustainability is bridging the ecological and social sciences with decision-making. The program trains students to analyze the interwoven nature of social and ecological systems, and translate that knowledge into policies to enact change. Meaningful engagement with the world outside the classroom prepares students to comprehend and address these challenges. To this end, the program provides students with theoretical and hands-on instruction in ecological and social processes, mentoring, as well as opportunities for professional and real-world experiences through internships and applied research.

The B.S. in environmental science is designed for students who want a multidisciplinary science education focusing on aspects of the environment. This environmental science program requires a broad base of knowledge in the basic sciences and mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, Earth sciences, and statistics. In addition, prudent study of environmental science requires understanding of economic, political, and ethical considerations.

Environmental science features an intense grounding in resource issues (including courses in water, mineral, and energy resources) and builds on the strength of UMD in freshwater issues. In addition, the capstone course in environmental assessment deals with sources, distribution, and ultimate fate of air, water, and solid waste pollution.

The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Environmental and Outdoor Education major familiarizes students with nonformal outdoor education settings and provides extensive training in outdoor education methodology and program delivery. In addition, nature-based outdoor recreation is emphasized as both method and goal. The major prepares students for professional careers in the broad field of outdoor education, including adventure education, environmental interpretation, and environmental education. Graduates from this program are prepared for careers in a variety of settings, such as environmental education centers (nature centers, residential environmental learning centers); natural resource agencies and facilities (DNR, NPS, USFS, State Parks); non-profits (scouts, museums, zoos, camps); adventure education schools; adjudicated youth facilities; and high adventure camps. Core degree components include outdoor education methods, physical skills development, program planning and delivery, management, evaluation, and principles of outdoor education and recreation. The environmental and outdoor education major is a four-year curriculum including one full semester of field placement in an outdoor educational setting.

This major provides professional training for nonformal education settings that do not require a teaching license as a prerequisite credential. Refer to the environmental education concentration under the teaching life science and/or teaching earth and space science majors for a related training that includes teaching licensure.

Civil Engineering (Environmental/Water Resources concentration)
https://scse.d.umn.edu/about/departments-and-programs/civil-engineering-department/undergraduate-program

Biology (B.A. and B.S.) major
https://academics.d.umn.edu/biology-bs
https://academics.d.umn.edu/biology-ba

Geological Sciences (B.A. and B.S.)
https://academics.d.umn.edu/geological-sciences-bs
https://academics.d.umn.edu/geological-sciences-ba

The purpose of the environment, sustainability and geography program is to prepare students to create sustainable communities for present and future generations. This program provides students with the tools to understand the physical and social systems of the earth to become informed change makers locally and globally. Sustainability challenges are all around us: from climate change, to vulnerabilities in the industrial food system, to the way we design cities. One of the fundamental hurdles in a transition toward sustainability is bridging the ecological and social sciences with decision making. The program trains students to analyze the interwoven nature of social and ecological systems, and translate that knowledge into policies to enact change. Meaningful engagement with the world outside the classroom prepares students to comprehend and address these challenges. To this end, the program provides students with theoretical and hands-on instruction in ecological and social processes, mentoring, as well as opportunities for professional and real-world experiences through internships and applied research.

The Sustainable Business and Organizations minor is an interdisciplinary minor, which will complement any LSBE major. Sustainability is an approach to business in which business goals are aligned with social and environmental goals. Opportunities for 21st century managers require, in addition to traditional business skills, understanding of increasingly complex social, environmental, and governance issues. Sustainability careers span a broad set of options in large companies, startups, nonprofits, and government entities.

The environmental science minor enhances a student's understanding of the scope of environmental problems, the biochemical and physical processes of environmental degradation, the sciences of non-renewable and renewable resources, and economic and political issues surrounding environmental problems. The minor provides valuable background for many environmental careers and applications.

Environmental & Outdoor Education Minor
https://academics.d.umn.edu/environmental-and-outdoor-education-minor

Environmental Engineering minor
https://academics.d.umn.edu/environmental-engineering-minor