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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Interdisciplinary Studies - Environmental Science, B.A.
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Interdisciplinary Studies recognizes that academic disciplines do not exist in a vacuum, that to fully understand a subject one must move beyond the silos of the individual disciplines and integrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are to be found in related, complementary academic subjects. Thus the student will study at least two different subjects in the Interdisciplinary program, looking for connections between them.
About the Concentration:
This concentration provides a rigorous interdisciplinary preparation in environmental science. Students join an active community of scientists who are willing to guide students in laboratory or field-based research. Field projects take advantage of the nearby lakes, forests, the coast of Maine, and domestic and international field study sites. Students have an opportunity for internship experiences in the environmental field and become proficient in doing and communicating science, often making presentations in public and scientific arenas. Graduates are well prepared for careers in the private and public sectors at places like the Maine State Department of Environmental Protection, the Office of GIS and private consulting firms.
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Total Major Requirements 46 - 48 Credits
General Education Requirements
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.
Graduation Requirements
Completion of at least 120 credits and all requirements for this specific program, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000.
Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 120
Learning Goals, Assessment and Requirements
Program Goals:
The program aims to integrate the underlying scientific disciplines and subject areas of environmental science into a structured, focused course of study. The program provides students with a strong core in the natural sciences and mathematics and then in-depth preparation in one of four specializations: environmental biology, environmental chemistry/physics, environmental geology, or environmental health. All students should develop the following:
- an understanding of the fundamentals of the Earth’s interdependent systems;
- an understanding of the impact of humans on these systems;
- an ability to use the scientific process to analyze environmental problems;
- an ability to work as part of a team and to communicate with a variety of audiences.
The central goal of this program is to produce environmentally literate citizens capable of using scientific approaches to effect constructive change.
Specific Goals:
Knowledge
Students will:
- Have a solid understanding of major concepts in the following critical areas of environmental science: the interdependence of Earth’s systems (geosphere, atmosphere, biosphere), energy low and the cycling of matter; human population dynamics and Earth’s carrying capacity; renewable and non-renewable resources, including water, minerals, soils, biological resources, energy and land; environmental quality, including air/water/soil pollution, solid waste, and impact on human health; global changes and their consequences; the environment and society; choices for the future, including conservation, remediation, sustainability.
- Have a solid understanding of major concepts in the disciplines underlying environmental science: biology, chemistry, geology, and physics.
- Understand the philosophy of the scientific process and be able to distinguish science from pseudo-science.
- Be aware of the interconnectedness of the sciences and their importance in the critical analysis of environmental problems and potential solutions.
- Have broad awareness of the physical environment, species, and ecosystems of Maine and the environmental problems faced by those natural systems.
Skills
Students will:
- through instruction and practice, understand and be able to apply the scientific method. They will understand procedural knowledge and skills necessary for carrying out a scientific study as well as critically analyzing the work of others. This includes the following abilities: make systematic observations to detect patterns and relationships, develop hypotheses and make predictions.
- design experiments to test hypotheses, critically evaluate results and draw conclusions.
- through instruction and practice, understand and be able to apply quantitative and statistical analyses to scientific problems.
- be competent in the use of modern technology for environmental science research and communication. This should include use of the following: equipment used in the field/laboratory, appropriate to each specific disciplinary track; computer-based data acquisition and analysis hardware and software; standard and computer-based literature searching.
- be competent in scientific writing and oral communication, including the use of appropriate audio-visual presentation technology.
- be able to work collaboratively in teams and to interact with the public, business, government and non-profit sectors of society.
Attitude
Students will:
- learn and demonstrate professional behavior.
- become aware of the ethical responsibilities of scientific practice.
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