Writers: Angelina Manoj, Kalpita Gangwar, Leah Fontaine, Sophie Nguyen
Stanford University
Stanford University provides a number of environmental studies activities and programs focused on comprehending and resolving complicated environmental problems. The undergraduate and graduate degrees in Earth Systems, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management are among the several environmental studies programs offered at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (SE3). These programs integrate policy and social science viewpoints with scientific knowledge. The following are just a few examples of the possibilities for environmental studies at Stanford!
The Woods Institute at Stanford is an interdisciplinary research institute that is dedicated to identifying workable solutions to environmental problems. It aids initiatives for research, instruction, and outreach in fields like ecosystem management, sustainable energy, water resources, and climate change.
The Stanford Environmental and Energy Policy Analysis Center (SEEPAC) is a research facility that examines the effects of laws and regulations on the environment and energy use. It carries out research and offers knowledge on subjects like sustainable development, the energy economy, and climate policy. A wide understanding of environmental issues is possible for undergraduate students in any major thanks to Stanford's multidisciplinary environmental studies minor. Coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences is included in the minor.
The Earth Systems curriculum is an interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum with a focus on the environment and sustainability. It provides a flexible curriculum that combines classes from different academic fields, enabling students to customize their education to fit their interests.
Environmental Venture Projects (EVP) at the Stanford Woods Institute are interdisciplinary research initiatives that seek to address environmental issues. Stanford faculty and students are given the cash and tools they need to develop ground-breaking solutions to today's most critical environmental issues.
Sustainable Stanford is a program that encourages sustainability on the entire university campus. It includes a number of initiatives and programs focused on environmental education, sustainable transportation, trash reduction, and energy savings.
Students have a variety of opportunities to engage with environmental concerns and create a positive impact because of the university's dedication to multidisciplinary research and its extensive academic resources.
Yale University
The environmental studies programs at Yale College are a testament to the university's unwavering dedication to environmental research, education, and sustainability. Students in these programs have an unmatched opportunity to do multidisciplinary research and significantly advance the subject of environmental studies.
The renowned Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (F&ES) is acknowledged internationally as a leading university for environmental studies. The highly regarded Master of Environmental Management (MEM) and Master of Forestry (MF) are two of the several graduate programs offered by F&ES. For the purpose of enhancing their educational experience, students enrolled at F&ES have access to cutting-edge research programs, a large number of courses, and an abundance of field resources.
Yale College also provides a variety of interdisciplinary degree programs that let students mix environmental studies with other academic disciplines. Notably, a joint degree program in Environmental Management and Business Administration (MEM/MBA) is offered by the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and the Yale School of Management. Students have the exceptional chance to cross academic disciplines through these programs and develop competence at the intersection of environmental and other professional domains.
The Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy (YCELP) places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and policy work. At YCELP, students take part in ground-breaking research projects, participate in policy discussions, and help create practical policy solutions to environmental issues.
Yale College offers an environmental studies certificate program for students who want to major in something else. Through this curriculum, students can advance their primary academic areas of study while gaining insightful knowledge about environmental problems.
Yale equips students to become environmental leaders by providing these extensive programs that promote innovation and sustainable behaviors. Students can flourish in the subject of environmental studies because of the university's renowned professors, cutting-edge facilities, and active intellectual community.
University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is known for its Environmental Studies undergraduate major, providing students with an interdisciplinary understanding of human-environment interactions. With a multidimensional approach to learning, students are able to learn about the scientific principles of environmental issues, explore these problems from a social equity lens, and conduct their own independent research projects.
Regarding the curriculum, students are required to enroll in core classes covering the sciences, policy, ethics, economics, writing, math, and more. Students also take “specialization” courses that allow them to strengthen their knowledge in specific content areas, including but not limited to hydrology and sustainable development.
The University of Colorado Boulder grants competitive scholarships to students with a declared major in Environment Studies. The Rocky Mountain Community Bridge Scholarship ranges from $250 to $1,000 and is given to underrepresented students from the Rocky Mountain region. In addition, the Wickholm Scholarship provides financial aid to an undergraduate student who exemplifies strong academic performance and demonstrates concern for the natural environment.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is a campus-wide opportunity that gives students “a chance to work alongside a faculty sponsor on original research.” Participation in UROP allows students to write proposals, conduct research, and analyze data and statistics. Environmental-related field work and research are also prominent due to the variety of research facilities affiliated with the university’s faculty.
The University of Colorado Boulder has a rigorous, interdisciplinary program that allows students to respond to environmental challenges faced at the local, national, and global levels. Along with the extensive curriculum, students have a multitude of opportunities to explore specialized career fields, gain hands-on research experience, and be involved in a community that takes action to build a sustainable future.
University of Vermont
Ranked as the No. 13 Green College by the Princeton Review, the University of Vermont (UVM) offers an interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences major that combines a “natural science-based curriculum with hands-on experience.” After two years of exploratory study, students are able to choose one of nine concentrations to deepen their expertise, some of which include Agricultural and the Environment, Environmental Analysis and Assessment, and Self-Designed Concentration.
The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) is University of Vermont’s college for natural resources, where it prepares undergraduate and graduate students to build a more sustainable planet through science-based, experiential learning. Many Rubenstein students are also engaged in study abroad programs, such as EcoQuest New Zealand and Round River Conservation Studies.
There are a multitude of opportunities to get involved on the University of Vermont campus, ranging from participation in over 20 volunteer clubs to involvement in student-led initiatives that promote sustainability within the community. Some notable clubs include the Food Salvage Program, Engineering World Health Civic Engagement, and Ecological Design Cooperative. Furthermore, the University of Vermont ended the sale of bottled water on its campus in 2013—just one of the many examples of student activism within the community.
The University of Vermont offers undergraduate research opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students or conduct independent projects. The Rubenstein School has a variety of research facilities and partnerships that allow students to receive hands-on learning and build their interpersonal network. In order to support these research proposals, the University of Vermont Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research helps students discover funding opportunities.
The Rubenstein School Internship Program offers academic credit for internships and research experiences. Interns are supported by professionals in the field, a RESNR faculty member, and a RESNR staff member. Additionally, the Rubenstein Perennial Summer Internship Program provides summer internship opportunities for a select group of students and connects them with environmental companies, organizations, and more.
The University of Vermont provides a unique array of opportunities—a curriculum that emphasizes real world experience, internship opportunities that contain cutting-edge research, and an abundance of interdisciplinary fields—to grow student leaders who will change the environment in just and equitable ways.
University of California Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara is ranked in the top 20 environmental/ecology universities in the US, according to US News. The recognized university works to provide students with enough information on key biological topics to allow the scholars to excel and solve pressing environmental issues. Established in 1970, UCSB has one of the world’s first environmental studies programs for undergraduates and continues to succeed in its mission, as shown in over 900 publications from the department alone. In fact, the laboratory itself is known to be one of the most environmentally friendly in the nation.
Students are able to learn about a variety of environmental topics while also choosing a specific focus, such as waste management. This way, graduates of this program are able to grasp environmental science as a whole and excel at a subset at the same time.
The opportunities at UC Santa Barbara are virtually endless. With the UC Education Abroad Program, students can obtain unforgettable experiences in notable countries such as China and Australia while studying. Additionally, students can conduct undergraduate research, providing important real-world experience while improving students’ resumes. Students learn how to work in groups, lead, and communicate, all skills that will be vital to future pursuits. The university encourages and provides internship opportunities at local, state, national, and even international levels, as the school believes it is an important part of applying the recently acquired knowledge. In fact, many students earn credit each year from taking part in an environmental internship.
UC Santa Barbara provides more than 20 environmental scholarships each year, totaling around $40,000. The scholarships range from providing aid to students in unpaid internships to students aiming for specific research positions. Evidently, the internships, research, and financial assistance UC Santa Barbara provides creates a phenomenal and noteworthy experience for college students.
Duke University
Duke University's environmental science program stands as a beacon of excellence and innovation in the field. Renowned worldwide, it consistently attracts top-tier faculty, passionate students, and groundbreaking research opportunities. With its multidisciplinary approach, the program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues, spanning from ecology and conservation to policy and sustainability. Duke's commitment to hands-on learning is evident through its state-of-the-art laboratories, field research sites, and collaborations with leading environmental organizations. Here, students have the unique opportunity to work alongside renowned experts in their respective fields, gaining invaluable practical experience and contributing to groundbreaking discoveries.
Specifically, Duke’s undergraduate program in the Nicholas School of the Environment, founded in 1991, combines the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies with the Duke University Marine Lab. This program strategically focuses its resources and high levels of intellect to address the major issues: climate and energy, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, as well as human health and the environment. Besides offering an excellent undergraduate academic program, it also provides students with the opportunity to pursue their master’s and PhD in the same institution.
The program's rigorous curriculum, combined with Duke's vibrant academic community, fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and the development of future leaders in environmental science. It is an incredible opportunity for anyone that wishes to pursue this career.