Case Western Reserve University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Environmental studies is a multidisciplinary program that introduces students to the study of human interactions with the non-human world. The program emphasizes the moral, cultural, and political dimensions of environmental problems and solutions that arise from scientific understanding of the environment, bringing to bear the issues and methods of the humanities and social sciences as well as those of the sciences and the professions. The program is designed to serve the needs of students seeking a liberal education or a broad intellectual base for more technical training in environmental sciences. A major requires 30 credit hours of classes.

Students in the Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences obtain a solid background in basic science and mathematics as well as intensive training in the major. In addition, because of the wide variety of ways in which geologic knowledge can be applied, all students are encouraged to take electives in subjects appropriate to their personal objectives, which may be as diverse as the engineering applications of geology or the socioeconomic and legal systems bearing on environmental issues. The undergraduate programs stress practical experience and fieldwork as well as classroom study. The environmental geology major combines courses in geological sciences with courses in basic and applied sciences to provide students with an understanding of environmental problems, with employable skills, and with a background for graduate study or professional school. All students participate in a three-semester Senior Project sequence in which they propose a research project, conduct the research, write a thesis, and present it to the Department.

Environmental studies is a multidisciplinary program that introduces students to the study of human interactions with the non-human world. The program emphasizes the moral, cultural, and political dimensions of environmental problems and solutions that arise from scientific understanding of the environment, bringing to bear the issues and methods of the humanities and social sciences as well as those of the sciences and the professions. The program is designed to serve the needs of students seeking a liberal education or a broad intellectual base for more technical training in environmental sciences. The minor requires 15 credit hours.

"Environmental change impacts humans worldwide, with an influence lasting many generations into the future. An in depth understanding of the interplay between food systems – global food production, distribution, and selection – and environment and sustainability issues, as related to human nutrition, health, and well-being has never been more important. By completing this minor program, students will be better prepared to initiate, participate, and lead efforts aimed at resolving issues related to the environment, human health, and food systems sustainability.

The Environmental Nutrition, Food Systems Sustainability, and Health Minor will allow students to develop, examine, and apply knowledge in the related areas of food quality, feasible long-term global food systems, food science and chemistry, human nutrient requirements, and ethnic/cultural aspects of food production, selection, and preparation. A key concept will involve how environmental and sustainability issues directly affect the nutritive qualities of foods, thereby directly effecting human nutrition, health, and well-being."