Environmental studies analyzes environmental challenges presented by urban development.
Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary academic discipline, exploring the political, economic, social and biological factors dictating human interaction with the environment. Its role is to establish sustainable solutions, which consider both development necessities and resource management. In the 21st century, environmental concerns are characterized by climate change, resource scarcity and biodiversity conservation.
UC Santa Barbara
Established in 1970, the Environmental Studies Department of UC Santa Barbara has over 4,800 alumni. According to its website, it aspires to educate emerging leaders by teaching critical, intellectual and problem-solving skills necessary to meet the challenges of urban development and environmental contamination. The department offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts Environmental Studies programs, broadly categorized into the "social environment," "natural environment" and "integrative studies." UC Santa Barbara is a campus of the University of California and is ranked 39th in Best Colleges 2011 by U.S. News and World Report.
UC Santa Cruz
According to Professor Karen Holl, environmental studies at the University of California at Santa Cruz contribute to the development of knowledge and scholarship across academic fields. Students develop theoretical and methodological expertise in biological sciences, geography and politics to understand contemporary environmental issues in agriculture and the natural environment. Undergraduates can major in a Bachelor of Arts Environmental Studies program, or combine their studies with Biology, Economics, or Earth and Planetary Sciences. The Doctoral program focuses on the two key areas of ecology and social science. Environmental studies is among Santa Cruz's 10 most popular degrees.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree programs in Environmental Studies. According to USC's Environmental Studies Department website, undergraduates majoring in environmental studies have the option to concentrate their learning in "sustainability, energy and society," "oceans, life and people," or "climate, earth and environment." Both degree programs comprise 48 interdisciplinary core units. Field studies are offered in several areas, including protected marine areas and urban environmental locations across Los Angeles.
University of Redlands
The University of Redlands' Environmental Studies Department web page states that students study the relationship between human societies and the natural world, to foster a sustainable, "green" economy. Undergraduate degrees are available in Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies or Environmental Business, or Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science or Environmental Management. Each program explores ecology, physical geography and environmental ethics. The University of Redlands is situated in the City of Redlands, located approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles in the county of San Bernardino.
Tags: Bachelor Arts, Environmental Studies, Environmental Studies, Arts Environmental, Arts Environmental Studies, Bachelor Arts Environmental, Bachelor Science
