University of North Carolina, Wilmington
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The environmental studies curriculum is designed to give students the depth of intellectual and analytical skills along with the scholarly background necessary to understand and solve environmental problems. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing upon the resources of many related fields to provide the rigorous analysis necessary to understand environmental problems and formulate decisions that are environmentally sound.

The environmental studies curriculum is designed to give students the depth of intellectual and analytical skills along with the scholarly background necessary to understand and solve environmental problems. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing upon the resources of many related fields to provide the rigorous analysis necessary to understand environmental problems and formulate decisions that are environmentally sound

This concentration is designed for students who seek careers that involve the analysis of environmental policy and management issues. Students in this concentration pursue positions as environmental planners in local governments, environmental policy analysts, regulators, or program managers in federal or state environmental agencies. Students also pursue positions in environmental advocacy or educational organizations. Students also work in the private sector in positions that involve environmental regulatory compliance, hazardous waste management, or land development. The courses in this concentration are interdisciplinary in nature and are typically populated by students from other master degree programs (e.g., environmental studies, marine science, marine biology, etc.).

Policies and processes related to environmental conservation and management are examined within the context of the political, economic, socio-cultural and scientific challenges facing environmental managers today. Both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to environmental conservation and management are examined within the public and private sectors. Required field trips.

This concentration is designed for students who seek careers as planners, planning directors, and town managers in coastal communities where protection of beaches, wetlands, water quality, and other natural resources has to be balanced against the needs of economic development and property rights to manage coastal resources in a sustainable manner. This often creates a variety of problems related to public access to beaches and waterways, erosion, water quality degradation, protection of water dependent uses, user conflicts, and hazard mitigation. Some students also work in federal or state agencies addressing these issues from a planning or regulatory standpoint or in nonprofit organizations focused on advocacy or education. Students have also pursued careers in hazard mitigation and emergency management. The courses in this concentration are interdisciplinary in nature and are typically populated by students from other master degree programs (e.g., environmental studies, marine science, marine biology, etc.).