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Program Description
This intercollege minor is designed for students across the disciplines who wish to prepare for addressing environmental issues or problems as professionals or citizens. The minor is available to all undergraduates regularly enrolled in a degree program at the University. The objectives are to allow students to gain the multiple perspectives necessary for understanding environmental issues as well as to increase skills in collaborating with those from very different disciplinary backgrounds to find acceptable solutions. Students will be challenged to move beyond the channels of thinking characteristic of their own discipline to new ways of knowing, new sensitivities, and new analytical approaches. The program will engage students actively in learning experiences outside their major course of study. This minor is intended not to replace existing minors but to be a true intercollege, interdisciplinary minor.
Advising for students in this minor and approval of curriculum exceptions will be available through the Environmental Inquiry adviser designated within each participating college.
What is Environmental Inquiry?
This interdisciplinary, intercollege minor can enrich all areas of academic study with essential, cross- disciplinary understanding of crucial environmental issues and how they are being framed and tackled from both scientific and policy perspectives. The minor’s coursework can give students a greater appreciation of the environment, a broader understanding of environmental issues and problems, and insight into alternative methods of inquiry. If you have a background in science but also have ambitions to do something about the environment, you might find that a lot of the decisions about the environment are made in political settings. To have success in improving the environment will require you to speak the language of policy makers. The minor can help you on this track, exposing students to both the scientific background needed to understand environmental issues as well as the social science you need to promote these issues successfully.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are interested in how the human impact on the environment is becoming increasingly relevant as population grows, resources are consumed, and businesses and industries become ever more productive.
- You are interested in the complex debates that engage professionals from all fields. Now, more than ever, concerned agencies, organizations, and companies seek individuals knowledgeable about these important issues with experience communicating with people in professions outside of their own.
- You want to be familiar with current environmental issues across all professional fields.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18-19 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Introductory Course | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3-4 | |
Plant Stress: It's Not Easy Being Green  | ||
| Cultural Diversity: A Global Perspective | ||
BIOL 120N | ||
| Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Community Development Concepts and Practice | ||
| The Earth System and Global Change | ||
| Environment Earth | ||
| Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality | ||
EARTH 111 | ||
| Energy and the Environment | ||
| Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection | ||
EMSC/STS 150 | ||
| Literature and the Natural World | ||
ENT 202 | ||
ENVST 100 | ||
| Environmental Factors and Their Effect on Your Food Supply | ||
| Food Facts and Fads | ||
| Environment and Society in a Changing World | ||
GEOG 110 | ||
| Geography of Developing World | ||
| Earth and Life: Origin and Evolution | ||
| The Sea Around Us | ||
| Technology and Society in American History | ||
| Horticultural Science | ||
| Plants in the Human Context | ||
INTAG 100 | ||
| Materials in Today's World | ||
| Environmental Philosophy | ||
PLSC/STS 135 | ||
| Population and Policy Issues | ||
| Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Introductory Soil Science | ||
| Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation | ||
| Cluster Selection | ||
| Select 9 credits from one of the following clusters: | 9 | |
Biodiversity and Ecosystems | ||
Environment and Society | ||
Environmental Explorations | ||
Ideas About the Environment | ||
Water Resources | ||
Human Settlements | ||
Energy Resources | ||
| Final Course | ||
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Ecological and Environmental Problem Solving | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Science and Medicine | ||
| The Global Seminar | ||
| Air Pollution Impacts to Terrestrial Ecosystems | ||
| Climatic Change and Variability | ||
| Human Use of Environment | ||
| Ecology, Economy, and Society | ||
| Natural Resources: Origins, Economics and Environmental Impact | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| World Population Diversity | ||
| Natural Resources Conservation and Community Sustainability | ||
| Energy and Modern Society | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select one 400-level course from a cluster option other than the one you have chosen (field experience courses are encouraged) | 3 | |
- 1
The introductory course offers a broad overview of a topic that relates to an environmental theme. It is designed as a preface to learn about the many disciplines and approaches used to study the environment.
- 2
This is the capstone course of the minor which allows students to explore more deeply and recap their study within the minor's curriculum.
Cluster Course Selections
Students may not use a course from their major in their chosen cluster. In all cases/clusters, students may substitute up to 3 credits of research topics, internship, or independent studies courses focused on a relevant environmental topic in consultation with an adviser.
Biodiversity and Ecosystems
This specialization prepares a student to learn about the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems. Over the last 100 years, humans have dramatically reduced the biodiversity on the earth primarily through loss of habitat. Reducing the pressure on the world's biological resources will take political will, scientific research, and creativity in planning. A central focus is on developing effective understanding of land management practices that can enhance the prospects for biological diversity.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 127 | Introduction to Plant Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 220W | Biology: Populations and Communities | 4 |
| BIOL 417 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BIOL 435 | Ecology of Lakes and Streams | 3 |
| BIOL 448 | Ecology of Plant Reproduction | 3 |
| BIOL 482 | Coastal Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 499A | Tropical Field Ecology | 3 |
| CE 370 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CHEM 20 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 301 | Environmental Chemistry and Analysis | 3 |
| CHEM 402 | Environment Chemistry: Atmosphere | 3 |
| ENT 202 | 3 | |
| FOR 308 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| FOR 401 | Urban Forest Management | 3 |
| FORT 100 | Introduction to Forestry | 1 |
| GEOG 110 | 3 | |
| GEOG 123 | Geography of Developing World | 3 |
| GEOG 314 | Biogeography and Global Ecology | 3 |
| GEOG 310 | Introduction to Global Climatic Systems | 3 |
| GEOSC 21 | Earth and Life: Origin and Evolution | 3 |
| HORT 101 | Horticultural Science | 3 |
| INTAG 100 | 3 | |
| LARCH 245 | Ecology & Plants II | 3 |
| METEO 451 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| PPEM 120 | The Fungal Jungle: A Mycological Safari From Truffles to Slime Molds | 3 |
| SOILS 101 | Introductory Soil Science | 3 |
| SOILS 412W | Soil Ecology | 3 |
| STS 201 | Climate Change, Energy, and Biodiversity | 3 |
| WFS/FOR 430 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
Environment and Society
This specialization provides insights into the debates and challenges about the distribution and utilization of the world's environmental resources. All people deserve to live in a safe environment regardless of their income, skin color, religion, or gender. Yet, many of the poorest people in the world live in unsafe environmental contexts. Research in many different fields of social science, as well as ethical research, is required to understand how to promote and achieve environmental justice.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 456 | 3 | |
| CED 152 | Community Development Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| CED 230 | Development Issues in the Global Context | 3 |
| CED 309 | Land Economics and Policy | 3 |
| CED 410 | The Global Seminar | 3 |
| CED/CEDEV 430 | 3 | |
| CED 201 | Introductory Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 429 | Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 431 | 3 | |
| EARTH 101 | Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality | 3 |
| ECON 428 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| EMSC 101 | 3 | |
| ERM 411 | Legal Aspects of Resource Management | 3 |
| GEOG 124 | Elements of Cultural Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 438W | Human Dimensions of Global Warming | 3 |
| GEOSC 109H | Earthquakes and Society | 3 |
| GEOSC 310 | Earth History | 4 |
| GEOSC 402Y | Natural Disasters | 3 |
| HIST 453 | American Environmental History | 3 |
| INTAG 100 | 3 | |
| NUTR 497 | Special Topics | 1-9 |
| PHIL 132 | Bioethics | 3 |
| RSOC 11 | Intro Rural Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 423 | Social Demography | 3 |
| SOC 450 | Justice and the Environment | 3 |
| SOILS 71 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| STS 201 | Climate Change, Energy, and Biodiversity | 3 |
| STS 420 | Energy and Modern Society | 3 |
Environmental Explorations
This specialization scrutinizes the range of debates, practices, and possibilities guiding discussions of how to achieve equitable and sustainable development. Global and national discussions are beginning to probe how we can move toward a future where resources are more effectively utilized and the environment is maintained while achieving well-being for the whole world. A cross-disciplinary approach is necessary to promote an understanding of these broad discussions.
Students must take 3 credits each of social science, natural science, and arts and humanities courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science | ||
| ANTH 40 | Biocultural Evolution | 3 |
| or ANTH 146 | Indigenous North America | |
| CED 201 | Introductory Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 429 | Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 431 | 3 | |
| CED 410 | The Global Seminar | 3 |
| ECON 428 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| FDSC/PHIL 280 | 3 | |
| GEOSC 451 | Natural Resources: Origins, Economics and Environmental Impact | 3 |
| LARCH 65 | Built Environment and Culture: Examining the Modern City | 3 |
| NUTR 497 | Special Topics | 1-9 |
| PLSC 412 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| or PLSC 420 | State Making | |
| SOC 422 | World Population Diversity | 3 |
| TURF 425 | Turfgrass Cultural Systems | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Hunters and Gatherers | ||
ANTH 456 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Human Geography: An Introduction | ||
| Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards | ||
| Human Use of Environment | ||
| Natural Science | ||
| BIOL 220W | Biology: Populations and Communities | 4 |
| BIOL 427 | Evolution | 3 |
| EARTH 106 | 3 | |
| EMSC 121 | Minerals and Modern Society | 3 |
| ERM 300 | Basic Principles and Calculations in Environmental Analysis | 3 |
| FOR 308 | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| GEOG 110 | 3 | |
| or GEOG 115 | Landforms of the World | |
| GEOSC 320 | Geology of Climate Change | 3 |
| or GEOSC 340 | Geomorphology | |
| METEO 4 | Weather and Risk | 3 |
| PPEM 120 | The Fungal Jungle: A Mycological Safari From Truffles to Slime Molds | 3 |
| WFS/FOR 430 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| or WFS 408 | Mammalogy | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Ecology of Lakes and Streams | ||
| Population Ecology and Global Climate Change | ||
| Field Ecology | ||
| Physiological Ecology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
BIOL 450 | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Science and Medicine | ||
| Tropical Field Ecology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Environmental Chemistry and Analysis | ||
| Environment Chemistry: Atmosphere | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Geology of the National Parks | ||
| Planet Earth | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Geology | ||
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| AMST 50 | 3 | |
| CED 410 | The Global Seminar | 3 |
| COMM/STS 408 | Cultural Foundations of Communications | 3 |
| COMM 411 | Cultural Aspects of the Mass Media | 3 |
| or COMM 459 | Cultural Effects of Interactive and Online Media | |
| EMSC/STS 150 | 3 | |
| ENGL 88 | Australian/New Zealand Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| or ENGL 233N | Chemistry and Literature | |
| ENGL 402/404 | Literature and Society | 3 |
| ENGL 430 | The American Renaissance | 3 |
| FDSC/PHIL 280 | 3 | |
| GEOG 434 | Politics of the Environment | 3 |
| or GEOSC 310 | Earth History | |
| HIST/STS 428 | The Darwinian Revolution | 3 |
| HIST 453 | American Environmental History | 3 |
| LARCH 60 | Cultural History of Designed Places | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Nature and Environment | ||
| Bioethics | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Ethics | ||
Ideas About the Environment
This specialization engages the philosophical and political challenges underpinning concerns of modern environmentalism. People have always contemplated the meaning of the world around them and the ways in which their reality is shaped by the environment. The meaning and value of the "environment" therefore depends on a person's range of understandings, ideas, and representations about the physical world. To operate effectively, civil society must be based on open discussions including environmental concerns, and this requires basic levels of ecological literacy.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AG 160 | Introduction into Ethics and Issues in Agriculture | 3 |
| BIOL 419 | Ecological and Environmental Problem Solving | 3 |
| BIOL 438 | 3 | |
| BIOL 461 | Contemporary Issues in Science and Medicine | 3 |
| CED 450 | International Development, Renewable Resources, and the Environment | 3 |
| ECON 428 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| EMSC/STS 150 | 3 | |
| ENGL 88 | Australian/New Zealand Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| ENGL 430 | The American Renaissance | 3 |
| ENVE 460 | 3 | |
| FDSC/PHIL 280 | 3 | |
| GEOG 123 | Geography of Developing World | 3 |
| GEOG 434 | Politics of the Environment | 3 |
| HIST 110 | Introduction to Global Environmental History | 3 |
| HIST/STS 428 | The Darwinian Revolution | 3 |
| HIST 453 | American Environmental History | 3 |
| LARCH 60 | Cultural History of Designed Places | 3 |
| NUTR 497 | Special Topics | 1-9 |
| PHIL 403 | Seminar in Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| SOC 450 | Justice and the Environment | 3 |
| SOILS 71 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| STS 100 | Science, Technology, and Culture | 3 |
| STS 101 | Modern Science, Technology, and Human values | 3 |
Water Resources
This specialization emphasizes basic literacy required to understand the debates surrounding water as a resource and offers insights into what people can do to protect and maintain its integrity on a worldwide basis. Water and water resources are central to human life, and yet modern industrialization and human settlement patterns are creating untenable competition for water between humans, and other flora and fauna. Basic science is required to ascertain problems of supply. Social science understanding is required to understand challenges facing water supply and utilization and the search for wise utilization of the world's water resources.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASM 327 | Soil and Water Resource Management | 3 |
| BE 307 | Principles of Soil and Water Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 220W | Biology: Populations and Communities | 4 |
| BIOL 435 | Ecology of Lakes and Streams | 3 |
| CE 370 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CE 371 | Water and Wastewater Treatment | 3 |
| CE 461 | Water-resource Engineering | 3 |
| CE 475 | Water Quality Chemistry | 4 |
| EARTH 111 | 3 | |
| EMSC 440 | Science Diving | 4 |
| ENVE 411 | Water Supply and Pollution Control | 3 |
| ENVE 415 | Hydrology | 3 |
| ERM/WFS 450 | Wetland Science and Sustainability | 3 |
| FOR 470 | Watershed Management | 3 |
| GEOG 431 | Geography of Water Resources | 3 |
| GEOSC 40 | The Sea Around Us | 3 |
| GEOSC 440 | Marine Geology | 3 |
| GEOSC 452 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| METEO 451 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| PLANT 217 | Landscape Soil and Water Management | 3 |
| WFS 422 | Ecology of Fishes | 3 |
| WFS/ERM 435 | Limnology | 3 |
Human Settlements
This specialization examines human settlement patterns and their interaction with the environment. Particular emphasis is placed on patterns of development, human movement and migration patterns, as well as environmental impacts. As population increases worldwide, land is increasingly taxed beyond proper capacity. Zoning regulations, suburban sprawl, and uneven settlement that replaces fertile agricultural land have all become major issues within the policy spectrum that must be dealt with to ensure a positive future for the entire world population.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMST 50 | 3 | |
| ANTH 45N | Cultural Diversity: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| ARCH 316 | Analysis of Human Settlements: Cities | 3 |
| BIOL 120N | 3 | |
| CED 230 | Development Issues in the Global Context | 3 |
| CED 309 | Land Economics and Policy | 3 |
| CED 409 | Land Use Planning and Procedure | 3 |
| CED 431 | 3 | |
| COMM/STS 408 | Cultural Foundations of Communications | 3 |
| COMM 411 | Cultural Aspects of the Mass Media | 3 |
| EARTH 101 | Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality | 3 |
| EARTH 106 | 3 | |
| ENGL 88 | Australian/New Zealand Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| ENGL 402 | Literature and Society | 3 |
| FDSC/PHIL 280 | 3 | |
| GEOG 20 | Human Geography: An Introduction | 3 |
| GEOG 333 | Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards | 3 |
| GEOG 436 | Ecology, Economy, and Society | 3 |
| GEOSC 109H | Earthquakes and Society | 3 |
| LARCH 60 | Cultural History of Designed Places | 3 |
| LARCH 65 | Built Environment and Culture: Examining the Modern City | 3 |
| METEO 4 | Weather and Risk | 3 |
| NUTR 497 | Special Topics | 1-9 |
| SOILS 71 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| TURF 425 | Turfgrass Cultural Systems | 3 |
| WFS/ERM 450 | Wetland Science and Sustainability | 3 |
Energy Resources
This specialization offers a glimpse into the emerging technology that exists in the energy sector. As the worldwide supply of fossil fuels diminishes, and the demand for those fuels increases, new energy technology must be developed to power our planet. In recent years, energy sustainability and the use of infinite resources have been considered serious options for the first time. Thus, this cluster option employs an interdisciplinary strategy with the goal of educating individuals on a broad range of emerging technologies in relation to energy resources.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CED 201 | Introductory Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 429 | Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| CED 431 | 3 | |
| CED 450 | International Development, Renewable Resources, and the Environment | 3 |
| EGEE/MATSE 101 | Energy and the Environment | 3 |
| EGEE 102 | Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection | 3 |
| EGEE 401 | Energy in a Changing World | 3 |
| EGEE 464W | Energy Design Project | 3 |
| EMSC 101 | 3 | |
| EMSC/STS 150 | 3 | |
| GEOSC 451 | Natural Resources: Origins, Economics and Environmental Impact | 3 |
| MATSE 81 | Materials in Today's World | 3 |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Jodi Vender
Undergraduate Advising Coordinator
305 Walker Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-5730
advising@geog.psu.edu
Brandywine
Laura Guertin
Professor of Earth Sciences
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1427
uxg3@psu.edu
Career Paths
The environment provides many exciting, interesting, and satisfying career choices stretching across a tremendous range of fields and disciplines. Working in the environmental field is rewarding because you can contribute to the maintenance and conservation of essential life systems necessary for our human survival.
Careers
Students in the Environmental Inquiry Minor are well-positioned to find employment with diverse organizations spanning business, government, and nonprofit sectors. Such organizations may include (but are not limited to): American Red Cross, Amnesty International, Conservation International, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Heifer International, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. State Department, local, regional, and state planning agencies, environmental and engineering consulting firms, policy research institutes, private corporations, and humanitarian organizations.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL INQUIRY
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
A minor in Environmental Inquiry is useful for students who are interested in pursuing graduate degrees in the environmental and social sciences. Alumni enter graduate and professional studies in a variety of programs, including (but not limited to) geography, planning, international development, urban studies, sustainability, environmental sciences, ecology, public policy, emergency management, and law. They sometimes begin graduate or professional programs directly after finishing undergraduate studies, but often get several years' work experience before returning to school, either full-or part-time.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
302 Walker Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3433
geography@psu.edu
https://iee.psu.edu/about/education
Brandywine
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1427
uxg3@psu.edu
https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/minors/environmental-inquiry