Colleges offer sustainable development degrees to students to protect the planet's future.
Turning a passion for protecting the earth into an academic path is more likely now than ever. Colleges and universities offer full-time undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields that include environmental conservation and urban planning. Students who graduate with earth-friendly, eco or "green" degrees can go on to become leaders in global awareness, guiding others in techniques to preserve the planet.
Architecture
Architecture students work with solar panels to experiment with alternative energy sources.
Green architecture is a relatively new phenomenon. Students learn techniques for designing sustainable buildings that use solar power, energy-efficient power sources and rooftop gardens. Yale's Environment School, for example, offers a Master of Environmental Management-Master of Architecture degree. Students take technical courses for introductions to working with woods and metals and participate in sustainable design studio classes. Students learn to come up with creative solutions to eliminate wasteful architectural and construction project habits.
Sustainable Design
Sustainable design, environmental design, or "green" design degrees are available to undergraduate and graduate students in a number of colleges. Students seeking degrees in these areas learn about environmental design, eco-architecture, environmentally-conscious consulting, urban planning and construction waste innovation ideas.
Environmental Science
Environmental science includes degree programs in environmental engineering and environmental management where students learn develop policies and procedures to prevent environmental disasters, such as oil spills. To understand human perceptions toward the environment, students study earth sciences along with social sciences. Universities generally emphasize policy and make change, rather than theoretical studies.
Tags: degree programs, environmental design, undergraduate graduate, urban planning
