University of Texas at Austin
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (EVS) program is a interdisciplinary degree program in Environmental Science operated collaboratively by The University of Texas at Austin's College of Natural Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, and College of Liberal Arts.  The EVS curriculum brings together four essential components to successful environmental education: A strong scientific foundation; early hands-on experience; specialized advanced coursework in geological, geographical, or biological sciences; and professional preparation including a Capstone Research Project.

The Sustainability Studies B.A. in Liberal Arts is designed to provide a rigorous and focused study of sustainability methods and content. Students will complete coursework addressing the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. These courses are focused in humanities and social science, environment and earth sciences, economics and development, research design, communications, and politics and policy. Students in the Sustainability Studies BA program will choose from one of three thematic concentrations: Trajectories to Sustainability, Sustainable Choice in a Diverse World, and Natural Resource Management. Trajectories to Sustainability These courses engage in the study of the changing relationships of human societies and cultures with their environment over the broad expanse of human time. They address social, cultural, demographic, economic, and environmental challenges from historical and cultural perspectives, at local and international scales. Courses within this track will speak to the history, culture and philosophy of sustainability in the context of economic development, social justice, food production, rural society and urbanism, among other topics. Sustainable Choice in a Diverse World These courses address social, economic, and environmental challenges with equity and respect for diversity, including awareness of issues of class, gender and power. The study of leadership and policy making is informed by ideas from environmental philosophy and ethics. Courses within this track will speak to the nature of environmental ethics and leadership, in the context of sustainable economic development, social justice, rural society and urbanism, among other topics. Natural Resource Management These courses are for students interested in studying issues of sustainable management and use of natural resources such as water, air, plants, and animals and associated industries such as agriculture, energy, mining, fisheries, and forestry. Courses will focus on the human side of resource management and will prepare students for work or further study in policy, land management, and resource conservation.

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Geography focuses on our interdependent world and our fragile habitat. The major nourishes a sense of responsibility and provides tools for the solution of environmental, regional, and international problems. The program provides a depth of study to ensure the satisfaction of having mastered a discipline. Students have the opportunity to focus on one of the major areas of study, or tracks, within the department, and to master methods and techniques which can provide the foundation for a successful career. This program explores the relationship of societies to their resource base. It addresses issues of resource evaluation and management: the ways in which societies adjust to the opportunities and constraints of the natural environment, and the impacts of cultural practices and political processes on environmental change. The program is intended to provide the basic knowledge and skills required for advanced study and employment in environmental planning, resource management, and development. Geography is an appropriate major for those interested in sustainability, as it includes study of the natural environment, human use of the environment, human impacts on the environment, and social and cultural values and ideals as they involve the environment, while at the same time providing training in practical techniques such as geographic information science and remote sensing and opportunities for internships and capstone experiences. The Sustainability track in Geography emphasizes advanced study of past, present, and future interactions between nature, society, and development. As such, it contributes to a general liberal arts education for future leaders and innovators in government, the private sector, education, and non-governmental organizations. It also provides excellent background for student pursuing graduate education in law, medicine, public affairs, business, interdisciplinary environmental studies, and geography.

The Bridging Disciplines Programs (BDPs) at The University of Texas at Austin allow undergraduates to earn an interdisciplinary certificate through a course of study that integrates classroom, research, and internship experiences. One of the twelve concentration areas offered is Environment. The Environment BDP gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of disciplinary approaches to environmental processes and contemporary environmental issues. By bringing together courses in natural sciences, social sciences, design disciplines, and the humanities, this program affords a complex understanding of how the diverse parts of Earth’s environment interact. A Geology major might choose to deepen an appreciation of human-environment interactions with a selection of Government, History, and Geography courses in Liberal Arts, while a Journalism major might use Natural Science courses to develop an understanding of the scientific method. Designed to complement a range of majors, the Environment BDP prepares students to address environmental issues in careers as researchers, writers, policy makers, sustainable business leaders, and educators. An interdisciplinary panel of faculty with an interest in the environment helps students design individualized programs of study that complement their majors and interests, and they are instrumental in helping students find internships and opportunities to participate in faculty research.

Access to energy directly correlates with the quality of life we enjoy. Today, we face the grand challenge of meeting the energy needs of a growing population while minimizing the adverse effects of these technologies on the environment. The Sustainable Energy Systems (SES) certificate program is designed to provide students with the tools and experience to conduct system level analysis of conventional as well as alternative energy technologies while broadening their perspective on economic and environmental sustainability.

This Technical Core provides the foundation for a career in electric power systems, generation, grid operation, motors and drives, and renewable energy sources. This core involves the study and design of reliable and economic electric power systems, including both traditional and renewable resources. Energy conversion involves conversion to and from electrical energy, including the study and design of electrical machines.

Environmental Engineering Technical Area Option- Civil Engineering (BS) Environmental Engineering is a Technical Area option within the Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Bachelor of Science degree. Environmental engineers address problems related to public health and the environment including drinking water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment systems, solid waste disposal, air pollution control, recycling and conservation methods, water reclamation and reuse, hazardous-waste management, containment, and site remediation, and ecosystem protection and restoration. Environmental engineers also work on large-scale issues such as acid rain, global warming, and ozone depletion.   https://www.caee.utexas.edu/prospective/undergraduate/ugdegrees   Water Resources Engineering Technical Area Option -- Civil Engineering (BS)Water Resources Engineering is a Technical Area option within the Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Bachelor of Science degree. Water resource engineers deal with the engineering aspects of hydrology and hydraulics as applied to water supply management, water excess management, and environmental protection and restoration. Water resources engineers focus on flood prevention; water supply for cities, industry, and agriculture; protection of beaches from erosion, management of rivers and estuaries; and habitat protection for aquatic species. The water quality aspects of water resources engineering have much in common with environmental engineering; thus, a considerable overlap exists for these two areas of practice. https://www.caee.utexas.edu/prospective/undergraduate/ugdegrees   Environmental Engineering Technical Option Area - Chemical Engineering (BS) Environmental Engineering is a Technical Area option within the Chemical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree. Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to contribute to the solution of environmental problems and to design processes and products that minimize environmental hazards. From pollution prevention by process optimization, to new understanding of chemical processes that occur in the environment, to new materials for advanced catalysts and carbon-free energy sources, chemical engineers are creating the “green” technologies needed to sustain the planet. http://www.che.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012-14-technical-option-areas.pdf Energy Technologies Technical Area Option - Chemical Engineering (BS) Energy Technologies is a Technical Area option within the Chemical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree. The need for energy sustainability and new energy technologies provides some of the most significant scientific and engineering challenges that face society. Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to address these issues and contribute new solutions to the problem. Technologies include solar energy utilization in the form of photovoltaics, biofuels and solar fuels; new and more efficient ways to extract fossil fuels from existing reservoirs; alternative power sources like wind, geothermal, and nuclear. Policy is also an important and active area that involves chemical engineers. Chemical engineering and other elective courses are available that teach fundamentals of energy technology and policy. http://www.che.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012-14-technical-option-areas.pdf   Building Energy and Environments Technical Area Option - Architectural Engineering (BS)The Building Environmental Systems area of practice involves the design of the building environment thermal comfort, acoustics and noise control, indoor air quality, illumination, and plumbing and electrical systems. This area of practice is part of the Architectural Engineering degree program within UT Austin's Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. The program is consistently ranked one of the nation's best and deals with all engineering aspects of building performance, integrated with the building's architectural requirements. The current undergraduate curriculum in Architectural Engineering is 126 semester hours. The curriculum includes several architectural design courses intended to impart appreciation and basic understanding of aesthetic design. Students study all engineering aspects of building performance, including sustainable design. In their senior year, students have the opportunity to specialize in one of Architectural Engineering's three areas of practice: (1) Structures, (2) Building Environmental Systems, (3) Building Construction/Materials. https://www.caee.utexas.edu/prospective/undergraduate/ugdegrees