Environmental Studies

See description under the Interdisciplinary Studies Program.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MINOR
At the beginning of the 21st century, perhaps the most critical issues facing the world involve managing the earth’s resources in terms of quality, sustainability, and equity. During recent decades the earth’s population has doubled and economic output has increased in geometric terms. Economic and population growth and accompanying resource consumption threaten air and water quality, soil resources necessary to produce food and fiber, ocean fisheries, known sources of energy, the stratospheric ozone layer, and global climate. Waste products threaten to poison air, water and soils. The effects are both incremental and cumulative. The changes are brought about by choices made by individuals within the context of family, community, nation, and international society. In total, they raise questions about equity and the ability or inability of the earth to sustain the present level of consumption. Upon graduation students face different choices in a world that requires new solutions. The environmental studies minor provides students with basic tools for understanding global and local environmental issues and for making choices in the 21st century.

Objectives of the environmental studies minor include providing students with:
• a scientific background to understand environmental issues
• a global perspective
• a treatment of the basic concepts of sustainability within the context of environmental economics
• a foundation in environmental policy
• practical experience with real-world challenges and problem-solving skills
• a values-based understanding of the human relation to the environment

The minor requires 26 credit hours, including the following courses:
BIO 170, CHE 106, ECON 375 (Offered at Towson University)
IDS/PSC 140 (introductory course), IDS/PSC 290 (internship), PSC 285

Elective Courses:
HIS 271 (Other courses to be developed)
Students may substitute courses from other institutions and/or as part of study abroad programs with permission of the program director.

EC 225. ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS (3) (Gen. Ed. #11)
A survey of techniques and topics in environmental economics, beginning with the theory of market failure and externalities. Examples will be drawn from the U.S. and global experience dealing with problems such as air pollution, water pollution, and solid wastes.  Particular emphasis will be placed on cost-benefit analysis, contingent valuation studies, statistical value of life, and the implementation of policies that achieve environmental goals and economic efficiency. Prerequisite: EC 101.
Fall semester. Shamshak.