Rochester Institute of Technology
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The environmental sustainability, health and safety major prepares students to be champions of environmental sustainability as well as health and safety. Graduates help organizations produce goods and services without contaminating the environment, without subjecting the workers to hazardous conditions and chemicals, while also using less energy and fewer precious resources. The major is focused on social responsibility for corporate activities and on organizations becoming good stewards of the products and services they make and provide. Students are prepared to work as environmental sustainability, health, and safety professionals in both industry and government. Students gain a strong foundation in science; applied environmental, health and safety science, and technology; environmental sustainability; and social responsibility. Students are prepared to eliminate, reduce, and control the release of pollutants into the environment and to manage health and safety hazards associated with an organization’s activities, products, and services. The major emphasizes globally sustainable and socially responsible approaches and prepares professionals to lead various industries toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

Environmental scientists solve problems relating to power generation, waste reduction and recycling, pollution control, land use and land cover change, preserving biodiversity and ecological services, transportation, forestry, agriculture, economics, and a wide range of other areas. They study our relationship to nature and to each other, developing solutions that prevent or reverse environmental deterioration and work toward sustainability. Meeting these challenges requires problem-solving abilities based in science, mathematics, the social sciences, and other disciplines. The BS program provides students with the education and experiences they need to be successful.

A complete list of sustainability related degrees, minors and concentrations can be found here: http://www.rit.edu/sustainability/fields-of-study

Industrial engineers take a systems approach to people, materials, and technology in the work place. They deal with the creation of products, procedures, and processes that are compatible with both the people who use them and the environment. Industrial engineers help companies globally. They answer “big picture” design and engineering questions: Can we remanufacture last year’s hard drives and monitors rather than junk them? Can we develop an optimum routing structure for our shipments? What can we do to simultaneously increase efficiency and quality? How can we reduce waiting time on amusement park rides? Future industrial engineers will need to be proficient in problem solving and communication, possessing a blend of skills in engineering and management. After the first year of foundation courses in mathematics and science, the curriculum covers concepts of human performance, mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, quality management, and contemporary manufacturing processes. State-of-the-art labs and software provide students with the opportunity to use the same tools professionals use on the job. Industrial engineers perform a huge variety of jobs in every kind of business and industry. They evaluate workstation designs, monitor safety programs, perform product life studies, schedule operations, develop computer forecasting models, manage logistics and supply chains, to name just a few of the fascinating jobs available to industrial engineers. Students can choose to deepen their expertise through specialized courses, co-op assignments, and senior design projects with the following options: ergonomics and human factors, logistics and transportation systems, manufacturing and quality, and simulation and operations research.

The environmental modeling minor introduces students to the process of spatial modeling as part of a tool set for investigating environmental issues and provides opportunities to apply these skills through advanced course work. Courses are designed to give students a solid foundation of environmental issues and concepts. Central to this minor are the development of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the multiple stakeholder perspectives often involved with environmental issues.

The environmental science minor introduces students to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues and concepts and provides opportunities to further investigate these issues through advanced course work. Central to this minor is the development of field, analytical, and problem-solving skills and an understanding of the multiple stakeholder perspectives often involved with environmental issues.

A complete list of sustainability related degrees, minors and concentrations can be found here: http://www.rit.edu/sustainability/fields-of-study

A climate change immersion is currently in development.