UB Programs At-A-Glance

Environmental Studies

Office of Interdisciplinary Degree Programs

203 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4670

Phone: 716.645.2245
Fax: 716.645.3640
Web: cas.buffalo.edu/programs/idp/ugrad/

Lee Dryden
Director

About the Program

The Environmental Studies concentration of the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary major is designed for those who find the environmental perspective compelling. It is a field in which studies in human society overlap with basic science courses. Students study natural science and social science in order to understand environmental problems and processes. For more information please see the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Programs.

About Our Degrees

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum grade of “C” in SSC 118.
A student originally entering the B.A. program may transfer applicable credits to the B.S. program.

Acceptance Information

Deadlines: Rolling
Number of accepted majors (2004-2005): 28
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 65

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

Each of the Interdisciplinary Degree Programs' concentrations offers a curriculum that allows students to combine coursework from three or more departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, a number of interdisciplinary and special-interest courses are offered through the IDP. There are also options to incorporate courses from other areas of the university, allowing students to obtain a broad range of skills and education.

The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 30-200
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 25-200
Upper level/advanced courses is: 10-45

In the IDP, what do teaching assistants (TA's) do?

Many courses in the social sciences interdisciplinary program's curricula originate in other departments, where teaching assistants may be assigned instructional or grading duties.

Suggested Introductory Courses



For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The IDP faculty, though limited in number, not only teach courses applicable to the program's degree tracks, but are also involved in the advisement of IDP majors, a function that is vitally important for students selecting courses from a number of different departments.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

The Interdisciplinary Degree Programs' concentrations offer an opportunity to focus studies on a particular topic whose breadth and diversity overlap several departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

Internships
The program in Environmental Studies includes an opportunity for practical fieldwork in an internship experience. Often B.A. and B.S. degree students work in local environmental agencies or companies. The primary academic emphasis of the internship notwithstanding, many graduates have found the experience beneficial when seeking employment.

Extracurricular Activities

The UB Environmental Network is an environment-focused student organization composed primarily of students in the environmental studies concentration. Their activities include environmental awareness and advocacy, sponsoring campus speakers, and organizing Earth Day programs.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Majors that Complement Environmental Studies


Minors that Complement Environmental Studies

Career Information and Further Study

While the IDP concentrations were not developed primarily to train students for specific careers, they are intended to provide an academic background relevant to a wide range of occupations and fields of graduate study.

Alumni have found employment as:

  • Community Coordinator at the Georgia Environmental Organization
  • HUAC Supervisor at MJ Mechanical Services, Inc,
  • Lab Technician at Sorrento Lactalis, Inc.
  • Teacher for the WNY Audubon Society
  • Camp Counselor at the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
  • Lab Technician at Severn Trent Laboratories
  • Consultant with Friends of the Buffalo River
  • Emission Control Monitor at E3 Killiam
  • Environmental Conservation Police Officer at the NYS Dept. of Conservation
  • Environmental Educator at the NYS dept. of Environmental Conservation
  • Environmental Engineer at IBM
  • Field Chemist at Teris LLC DBA Ensco, Inc.
  • Rehabilitation Counselor at Eckhert Youth Wilderness Program
  • Environmental Coordinator at the UB Green Office
  • Quality Analysis Test Engineer at US Web KKS
  • Health and Safety Consultant at OSHA
  • R and D Lab Technician at Waste Stream Technology



Post-undergraduate Opportunities

  • Environmental Science at Pace University
  • Multidisciplinary Environmental Research at Buffalo State College
  • Environmental Psychology at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry
  • Earth Science Education at Columbia University
  • Recreation & Leisure Studies at SUNY Brockport
  • Landscape Architecture at SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry
  • Law School at University at Buffalo
  • Business Administration at Alfred University
  • Water Resource Management at SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry
  • Water & Wetland Resources at SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry
  • Law School at the University of Miami
  • Anthropology at University at Buffalo



What percentage of graduates goes on to find related employment?

50-55%


What percentage of graduates goes on to graduate school?

25-30%

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:09 EST