The focus of the Environmental Studies Department is on a rigorous, systematic and integrated approach to the study, management and solution of environmental problems and issues. Upon completion of the degree program, students have solid theoretical and applied preparation for making substantive contributions to this expanding and vital field. With more than 30 years of experience granting degrees in environmental studies, this program has achieved a level of professionalism envied by newer environmental programs at other colleges and universities.
The employment record for recent graduates is excellent. Representative occupations include specialists in environmental impact assessment, environmental restoration, energy, water resources, environmental education, park management, environmental regulation and policy, hazardous materials, integrated waste management and recycling. More information about the successful job placement of our many graduates is available from the department.
The BS, BA, and the BA Preparation for Teaching (multiple subjects) are available for undergraduates, with the MS degree available to graduates. The BS and BA both offer a broad education in environmental concepts and applications through the core courses, along with a narrower subfield linked to a specific career pathway. This is done through the advisor-approved minor or departmental concentration and electives. The BS program provides a strong technical background in quantitative resource analysis, suitable for both resource managers and policy makers or practitioners such as energy auditors, designers of renewable energy systems, or ecosystem restorationists. The BA provides a more general education oriented toward environmental law, business, policy, planning or communications. The Preparation for Teaching program prepares the student for application to the elementary (K-8) credential program. In addition, many students in the program choose careers in outdoor education or park ranger work.
Graduates from the MS degree find professional opportunities in environmental consulting, management, restoration, environmental health and safety, coastal resources and wildlands protection, to name just a few. There are over 150 Environmental Studies undergraduates and more than 70 graduate students in our MS degree program.
Because Environmental Studies is interdisciplinary, our faculty are drawn from many different fields, including Ecology, energy and water resources, Engineering Environmental Studies, Geography, and Law (more details on faculty background, teaching, and research are available from the department web site). The Environmental Studies faculty is noted for its excellent teaching and personal involvement with students. Additionally, faculty are active in community, regional, state and international environmental affairs, and bring these outside experiences to the classroom.
An important component of the Environmental Studies major is the professional internship, where students assume work responsibilities with corporations, businesses, public agencies, non-profit groups, public schools and other organizations involved in environmental problem solving and management. Three units of academic credit are given for 135 hours of supervised professional work.
The Center for Development of Recycling (CDR) is attached to the Environmental Studies Department and is funded by local government to research, develop and disseminate information on integrated waste management. Students work with CDR on special projects and earn class credit. CDR is located in Washington Square Hall 115. Bruce Olszewski is the director.
The Environmental Resource Center (ERC) is an outreach and informational organization that works closely with the Environmental Studies Department and the surrounding community. As its primary work the ERC organizes SJSU's Earth Day, provides resource information with its files and library, and works with the Silicon Valley Environmental Partnership to develop indicators of the environmental health of Silicon Valley. Lynne Trulio is the faculty advisor for the ERC.
Students with a departmental GPA of 3.5 or above are eligible to participate in the honors program. Eligible students should contact a faculty member in the Environmental Studies Department to sponsor their honors project, which then will be presented at the honors colloquium. Students must enroll through their sponsor in ENVS 193 while conducting the project.
print
mail