Environmental Science & Policy
Programmatic Outcomes
Graduates will develop and demonstrate:
- Knowledge specific to their area of emphasis (i.e., Ecosystems Studies, Environmental Technology and Analysis, Environmental Policy and Administration, or a personal program of study).
- An understanding of the complex nature of environmental problems and the interrelated roles of science, administration, politics, policy, and technology in their solution and in the formulation and implementation of environmental policy.
- A working knowledge of the biological, chemical, physical, political and administrative processes and techniques affecting environmental quality and related issues.
- The ability to contribute to the environmental policy and science research base, to access this research base, and to assess the quality of the research literature.
- The ability to think creatively and to identify potential solutions to current and emerging problems, and to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of such solutions.
- The ability to design and implement research strategies, collect, organize, and evaluate data, and produce written reports of professional quality, including hands-on skills in using computers to achieve these objectives.
Specific to the Ecosystems Studies and Environmental Technology and Analysis Emphases
Graduates will be able to:
- Design and conduct scientific investigations.
- Collect, evaluate, and interpret data.
- Make responsible decisions to implement appropriate technologies and strategies to solve environmental problems.
- Effectively communicate the results of environmental studies to other scientists, decision makers and the general public.
Specific to the Environmental Policy and Administration Emphases
Graduates will be able to:
- Identify and analyze policy-relevant problems of major importance.
- Collect, assess, and interpret policy relevant data.
- Design, evaluate, and implement strategies and programs for addressing such problems.
- Effectively communicate the results of policy analyses and evaluations to diverse audiences, including environmental scientists, policy makers, and the general public.