Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management B.S.

The environmental sciences, policy and management (ESPM) major is designed to address the needs posed by the complexity of environmental and renewable resource issues that are faced on a state, national and global level. This interdisciplinary, environmental major prepares graduates to solve environmental problems from an integrated knowledge base.

The mission of the ESPM major is to:

• improve the basis for environmental decision-making by integrating physical, biological, and social sciences with policy analysis and management;

• educate the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders;

• foster innovative approaches for the education of environmental professionals;

• facilitate science/social science/policy linkages within and beyond the University.

Students complete a set of common “integrated core” courses that focus on integrated problem solving using environmental sciences, policy, ethics, management models, and communication theory. Students also incorporate classroom and fieldwork.

Admission Requirements

For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the   Office of Admissions Web site.

General Requirements

Recommended freshman writing course(s) for this program: RHET 1101

Program Requirements

All students complete Required Courses below and choose one of the following ESPM tracks: conservation and resource management (CRM); corporate environmental management (CEM); environmental education and communication (EEC); policy, planning, law and society (PPLS); and environmental science (ES).

Students are strongly encouraged to have an international experience before graduation. Courses completed during an international experience (study, work, volunteer, research) can meet program requirements, liberal education requirements, and/or electives. Discussion with an adviser prior to commencing an international experience is required to plan how courses meet requirements in the ESPM major.

All required courses must be taken A-F, and students must earn a grade of at least C-.

Program Sub-plans

Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans. (Note for the Twin Cities and
Morris campuses: The honors sub-plan does not meet this requirement. Honors students are required to
complete one sub-plan plus the honors sub-plan. Please see an adviser if no honors sub-plan is listed
for the program.)
                 

Students in the EEC track gain a solid base of knowledge in the environmental sciences, environmental ethics, and the social context of environmental issues, and they develop a practical set of skills for teaching effectively in informal settings and for communicating clearly in written, oral, and electronic forms. This track prepares students to work at government agencies, nature centers, parks, non-governmental organizations, and similar institutions, and is appropriate for students who wish to gain a broad understanding of environmental issues and the choices humans can make to mitigate unwanted impacts of human behavior on the environment.

Students may specialize in a content area through a minor, study abroad experience in ESPM topics, and/or a student designed content area. Students are encouraged to make choices that strengthen their expertise in an area and/or provide comparative understanding from another culture or discipline.

Courses listed in the track but not taken are good possibilities for use in a content area, as are courses listed below. ESPM students should see their adviser for a list of minors.

Students in the CRM track are involved in what Thoreau suggested was "environmental wisdom" or the ability to make effective decisions about the environment by synthesizing natural and human created facts and information. Students integrate this understanding with diverse economic and social insight to make effective decisions for the environment and society.

This track prepares students for technical support, operational, and managerial positions in diverse aspects of resource conservation and management with local, state, and federal agencies and the private sector.    This track also prepares students for graduate study in a wide range of areas.

Students solve problems in field settings and communicate their understanding, synthesis, and decision-making to diverse audiences. They gain experience in the actual implementation of decisions. Students may also develop special skills through electives (e.g., geographic information systems, geospatial analysis).

The CEM track provides graduates with the fundamental skills to systematically determine the environmental burdens associated with a firm’s products or manufacturing processes and to identify opportunities that generate value from environmental risk reduction, regulatory compliance programs, and other alternatives for improving environmental performance. The CEM track prepares students for positions in growing environmental, health, and safety organizations housed within private enterprises, consultancies, and governmental institutions, as well as for graduate study in business, public policy, environmental sciences, and industrial ecology.

Student experiences within this track focus on analytical tools; the business, legal, regulatory, and ethical framework in which industrial firms operate; physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms associated with industrial emissions; techniques used to reduce the environmental impacts of industrial activity; and effective communication.

The ES track focuses on the application and integration of basic and applied sciences to solve complex environmental problems. Students can earn professional licenses and certification in several areas and will be qualified to work as soil scientists, hydrologists, water quality and wetland ecology scientists, environmental remediation scientists, climatologists, and atmospheric scientist. Graduates find jobs with environmental regulatory agencies, private consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations. This track provides a diverse basic and applied science background that also prepares students for scientific research through advanced graduate studies.

Students in this track use an understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to develop a broad knowledge base in soil, hydrologic, atmospheric, and biological sciences. Students study the interaction between science and the functioning of urban, forested, and agricultural lands as well as hydrologic, atmospheric, soil, and wetland resources.

This is an honors sub-plan.

Freshman/sophomore level honors program.

At the freshman/sophomore level, students participate in specially designed honors courses and honors colloquia focusing on current issues in their chosen field. Students complete three honors courses in their first two years; one must be an honors colloquium (CFAN 1000H). Completion of the freshman/sophomore honors program is recognized by a certificate and by designation on a student’s transcript.

Admission to the honors program provides an opportunity for students to explore honors classes from other programs. The honors option offers students the flexibility to tailor a portion of the program to meet their unique needs and interests. Registration in honors courses requires admission to the honors program and college office approval.

This is an honors sub-plan.

Junior/senior level honors program.

The heart of the junior/senior level honors program is an honors project supervised by a faculty mentor. Students also participate in other honors options designed to enhance their academic experiences. Graduation with honors is determined by GPA in the last 60 credits of A-F registration (including transfer coursework). Minimum GPAs are specified below.

Transcripts of students graduating with honors show one of the following:
Cum laude (minimum GPA: 3.50)
Magna cum laude (minimum GPA: 3.66)
Summa cum laude (minimum GPA: 3.75)

Students also receive recognition during commencement. To achieve the honors notation on their transcripts, students must be admitted to the junior/senior honors program, meet the GPAs stated above and complete all honors program requirements--which for most students comprises one semester of honors colloquium, a second honors registration or approved honors option, and honors research. Admission to the honors program provides an opportunity for students to explore honors classes from other programs. The honors option offers students the flexibility to tailor a portion of the program to meet their unique needs and interests. Registration in honors courses requires admission to the honors program and college office approval.

The PPLS track focuses on developing understanding and problem-solving skills germane to the interaction between human and natural systems. Students will be well prepared for policy development and analysis, strategy development, and decision-making in a range of positions and institutional settings. Example positions include those as a policy analyst, community planner, social researcher, or lawyer in public agencies, with legislative bodies, consulting firms, and conservation organizations. This track also prepares students for graduate study in policy, planning, and law programs.

Students study concepts, issues, and problem solving approaches that address the policy, legal, economic, political, planning and sociological aspects of environment and natural resource management.    This study includes ethics and conflict management.    The track further emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach for examining problems such as sustainable land use planning, resource conservation and management, law, and environmental protection at a range of political levels and spatial scales and developing effective and innovative solutions. Students develop skill in integrating knowledge from the physical, biological, and social sciences to develop policy and planning alternatives and appropriate strategies to provide real solutions to complex problems.