University of Nebraska - Lincoln
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Environmental Studies is a Systematic study of human interaction with their environment. It's a broad field of study that includes the natural environment, built environments, social environments, organizational environments, and the sets of relationships between them.

This major combines in-depth study of the natural sciences with economics, law, and other social sciences. The program trains students to analyze the benefits and costs of using natural resources and the environment for recreation, agriculture, wildlife habitat, industry, forestry, and mining. It also emphasizes the assessment of public policies regulating the use of natural resources and environmental benefits. Students in this program work closely with faculty in both the Department of Agricultural Economics and the School of Natural Resources. This major is for students with an interest in natural resource management and environmental impact analysis. The need for employees with training in environmental and natural resource economics is expanding rapidly as the public gains a greater awareness of environmental issues and demands better resource management. Heightened news coverage, new environmental regulations and the growing costs of complying with them, as well as the penalties for violating them, mean that both public and private organizations need accurate environmental accounting.

The Energy Science minor comprises four introductory core courses that provide a comprehensive overview of energy in society, fundamental energy principles, the economics of energy, and environmental issues related to producing and using energy. The students with the minor are expected to: Learn how energy production and use affect our economy and environment; Explore the social and political ramifications of energy and natural resources consumption; Develop cutting edge, responsible solutions for the planet; Develop understanding of complex energy systems using “systems thinking”.

The Society and the Environment minor will prepare students to contribute solutions for current and future local, regional, and global environmental challenges. Stewardship and the efficient and sustainable use of environmental, financial, and human resources will be the foundational concepts for this minor. More specifically, the educational component of this minor will provide students with explicit opportunities to engage in the community and develop skills sets to employ a systems approach to managing the growth of our habitats, and at the same time achieve a balance of economic development with the conservation of the earth's natural system (Joslyn Institute for Sustainable Communities, 2015, www.sustainometrics.org). This minor will be available to all University of Nebraska-Lincoln students upon approval of individual colleges. Upon completion of the requirements for the Society and the Environment, students will be able to: Explain the relationship among social, economic, and environmental systems for the development of solutions for global environmental and natural resource issues; Employ concepts of sustainability to the campus and community by engaging in the challenges and solutions of applied sustainability; Utilize problem-solving skills to address real world opportunities to help maintain ecosystems and create healthier communities; Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate to a range of audiences through the preparation of written documents along with oral and visual presentations that are consistent with professional standards.

The Society and the Environment was recently approved as a minor (Feb 2016). The minor is sponsored by the Department of Environmental Studies. We will list thecorrect website for the minor as it becomes available.