University of Pennsylvania
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Upon graduation, Environmental Studies graduates understand how humans and ecosystems interact with the dynamic Earth. They understand the basic physical and chemical processes and are knowledgeable about the atmosphere and climate change, the rock cycle, natural hazards, and the earth’s hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles. Environmental Studies graduates also have knowledge and basic skills in environmental economics, environmental health, sustainability, renewable resources, and environmental management. In addition, they have an in-depth understanding of the human-environment interconnection, knowledge of international and domestic environmental issues, and are well-versed in environmental policies and how these policies are set and changed. 

This major gives students a broad understanding of Earth Science. At completion of the program, graduates know the basic physical and chemical processes that operate in and on the planet and understand how direct and indirect methods are used to examine and understand the structure, composition and dynamics of Earth. Graduates appreciate how humans and ecosystems interact with the dynamic Earth, and have an in-depth knowledge of the atmosphere and climate change, the rock cycle, natural hazards and the hydrologic and bio-geo-chemical cycles. Additionally, they understand how to measure and use the structure, sequence and properties of rocks, sediments, and fossils to reconstruct events in Earth's history and identify potential natural hazards or earth resources. Concentrations for the program are in: Environmental Science, Paleobiology, and Geology.

The Science, Technology & Society, Energy and Environment Major (STSC) examines the social contexts in which science and technology occur, the organizations of people and things that make up science and technology systems, and the social and cultural consequences of scientific and technological change over time. In a wide array of courses, STSC majors explore the relationship between scientific knowledge, technological innovations, technological systems, and society past and present.

This program equips students with sophisticated critical faculties, multidisciplinary skills and wide knowledge that enables our graduates to go into business, law, government, journalism, research, and education. STSC provides a foundation for citizenship in a globalizing, diversifying world with rapid technological and scientific change.

https://environment.upenn.edu/at-penn/degrees-concentrations#undergraduate 

The Sustainability and Environmental Management minor is focused on sustainability and it is designed to help students understand the nature of environmental constraints which face organizations and individuals in the modern world, and to understand how these constraints can be effectively considered as part of the decision-making process in for-profit and non-profit organizations.

The Minor in Environmental Studies is designed to provide students with the skills to understand and address contemporary environmental issues. The minor integrates studies in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, policy and management in order to study complex issues of human/environment interactions. Core courses cover environmental and earth science, data analysis, economics and policy, and provide students with the skills and breadth of understanding they need for purposeful study.

The Energy and Sustainability (ENSU) Minor offered by Penn Engineering provides students with a broad coverage of technical and societal issues confronting the world and in-depth treatment of selected topics in technical areas relevant to energy and sustainability.

URL:

https://environment.upenn.edu/at-penn/degrees-concentrations#undergraduate