University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

As the University's premier environment major, our goal is to train the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders through a strong focus on interdisciplinary knowledge, research, and enrichment experiences.

Students in Biology, Society, and Environment (BSE) receive comprehensive training in biology combined with an in-depth examination of the relevance of biology to social and environmental problems. Students complete coursework in the biological sciences, social sciences and the humanities.

Environmental engineering students focus their studies through classes in chemistry, biology, fluid mechanics, hydrology, and the design of drinking water and municipal wastewater treatment systems. The program goals are to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that benefit society and protect and restore the environment within the context of our urban infrastructure. Areas of emphasis include: hydrology and hydraulic engineering; water quality; pollutant fate and remediation (air, water, and soil); solid/hazardous waste management; and sustainable development. Environmental engineering graduates could pursue careers in applying technologies to generate potable drinking water and to mitigate the environmental impact of municipal wastewater, restoring waterways and natural habitats, complying with environmental regulations, or managing solid and hazardous wastes.

http://www.susteducation.umn.edu/undergraduate/related-majors/

The University of Minnesota’s Sustainability Studies Minor immerses students in the study of real-world problems from a variety of academic perspectives, incorporating disciplines from across the natural, social, and applied sciences. Administered by the Institute on the Environment, the program is unique in its efforts to engage students from every college at the U of M, offering collaborative opportunities that transcend disciplines. Through these diverse perspectives, students will better understand the values, choices, technologies, and policies that create a sustainable world.

The Landscape Design and Planning minor focuses on issues of land use and design strategies that create a future that provides a quality lifestyle in a sustainable environment for an ever-increasing human population.

This minor allows students to study the sustainability of agricultural food systems from an integrated perspective, including coursework, practical experience, and community reflection. Required courses—and courses from the foundational clusters—define this minor's curriculum. These courses cover topics such as public policy; agriculture, environment and natural resources; and citizens, science, and society.

Bio-Based Products Engineering Minor - This minor provides students with a strong background in engineering and basic sciences and their application to the manufacturing of bio-based products. Bio-based products are materials, chemicals and energy derived from renewable resources such as trees, crops and other biomass materials. The molecular building blocks and components of biomass can be harnessed to heat our homes, run our cars, light our buildings and provide industrial and consumer products. These products include fibers and fiber-based products, paper, board, engineered wood, structural panels, wood-based composites, renewable plastics, and bio-derived chemicals and fuels. https://www.cfans.umn.edu/admissions/majors-minors/bio-products-engineering-minor Corporate Environmental Management Minor - The Corporate Environmental Management (CEM) minor provides an overview of the strategic, analytical, and managerial processes associated with the environmental impact of corporate products and processes. This minor helps students prepare for graduate school coursework, and for a career related to environmental management and regulatory compliance at corporations. https://www.cfans.umn.edu/admissions/majors-minors/corporate-environmental-management-minor Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management Minor - The Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (ESPM) minor helps students recognize, evaluate and begin to develop solutions to a wide range of environmental problems. The ESPM minor complements programs such as biology, education, journalism, political science, and many more. https://www.cfans.umn.edu/admissions/majors-minors/environmental-sciences-policy-minor Fisheries and Wildlife Minor - The Fisheries and Wildlife minor focuses on the principles and practices of fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology. It's a good complement to programs such as biology, communications, education, forestry, environmental studies, and others. This minor provides an overview of fish and wildlife biology and natural history, and of the general principles used in managing their populations and habitats. https://www.cfans.umn.edu/admissions/majors-minors/fisheries-wildlife-minor Native American Environmental Knowledge Minor - This minor allows students to study Native American perspectives on the environment and on natural resource systems. The minor includes coursework, practical experience, and community service. Required courses focus on Native American approaches to science as it impacts natural resources and the environment. Course selections may emphasize land, public policy and law, environment, natural resource management, science, and society as they relate to Native American perspectives. Through “Ways of Knowing and Science,” “Native American Perspectives on the Environment” and other coursework, students synthesize their learning about the impact and practice of science in the unique context of a Native American cultural perspective and community needs. https://www.cfans.umn.edu/admissions/majors-minors/native-american-environment-minor Food Systems Minor - The Food Systems minor is for students who want to supplement their major program by developing the interdisciplinary knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to address complex challenges and opportunities in food systems. The focus is on designing and developing food systems that are sustainable in environmental, economic, and social terms. https://www.cfans.umn.edu/academics/majors-minors/food-systems-minor Ecological Engineering Minor - Ecological engineering integrates traditional engineering concepts with ecological principles such as resiliency, adaptation, and community dynamics. The ecological engineering minor prepares students to design sustainable systems integrating human activities with the natural environment, including watershed management and enhancement; waste treatment systems; phytoremediation and bioremediation; industrial ecology; constructed and restored wetlands; mitigation of non-point source contamination; and increase of ground water recharge through "low impact" design and other methods. https://onestop2.umn.edu//pcas/viewCatalogProgram.do?programID=3849&strm=1159&campus=UMNTC