Courses of Study 2012-2013 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
Courses of Study 2012-2013 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Science of Natural and Environmental Systems


In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .

 

Course Offerings 

Environmental stewardship and sustainability are increasingly recognized as human and planetary imperatives. This environmental science major provides students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences, and an introduction to the relationships between the biophysical and social sciences. Concentrations include environmental agriculture, environmental biology, environmental economics, environmental information science, and sustainable development.

The curriculum comprises an intensive foundation in the sciences; an environmental core with courses covering earth, biotic, social, and economic systems; and several disciplinary programs of study. This major emphasizes inter- and multidisciplinary work, independent thinking and analysis, and development of competency in writing and speaking.

The SNES major is an excellent preparation for careers in governmental or non-governmental organizations responsible for environmental evaluation and policy; professional programs in law, business, and journalism; and graduate programs in a variety of environmental science fields (earth science, ecology, environmental engineering, marine biology, soil science).

Faculty


B. Chabot, S. J. Colucci, J. Conrad, A. DiTommaso, L. Drinkwater, J. Elliot, G. W. Evans, T. J. Fahey, A. S. Flecker, C. C. Geisler, C. Goodale, A. Hajek, J. P. Lassoie, C. J. Lehmann, E. L. Madsen, N. Mahowald, I. Merwin, E. B. Nelson, M. J. Pfeffer, G. P. Poe, J. Regenstein, S. J. Riha, C. W. Scherer, R. Schneider, W. D. Schulze, N. R. Scott, J. Thies, P. J. Trowbridge, M. F. Walter, M. T. Walter, D. W. Wolfe, J. B. Yavitt

Foundation Courses:


The purpose of this component of the program is to provide a strong foundation in the basic sciences and an introduction to the relationships between the biophysical and social sciences. Many of these courses (listed below) will also contribute to completion of CALS distribution requirements.

The freshman and sophomore years are designed to provide a strong scientific basis for future advanced study and to become engaged in environmental studies through DEA 1500  and NTRES 2010 . Depending on student interest and available time, other courses in environmental study may be taken as electives early in the schedule. Advanced placement credit will be accommodated in the program through consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Environmental Core:


The environmental core consists of seven courses. Its purpose is to provide a rigorous, integrated understanding of the environment, broadly defined. This core recognizes that knowledge of the environment encompasses physical and biological sciences, social sciences, and human behavior. SNES 1101 , required in the freshman year, provides a unifying overview of the goals, depth, and breadth of the major.

Core courses are to provide integration (among areas, disciplines, methodologies, topics, and issues); systems emphasis; basic, rigorous presentation of core material; root competencies for understanding the environment; a framework for further advanced courses; and a new way of thinking that enables innovative solutions to difficult problems.

Programs of Study:


Programs of study that focus in one or more areas of environmental science have been established to provide disciplinary expertise sufficient for entry-level professional proficiency. Each student in the major will be required to take four courses at the 3000 level or above in at least one program of study.

Programs of study do not replace or duplicate current majors. Rather, they provide the basic core of knowledge essential for an introductory understanding of the area—the concepts, basic science, methodologies, and major applications. Programs of study include:

  • Environmental Agriculture
  • Environmental Biology
  • Environmental Economics
  • Environmental Information Science
  • Sustainable Development

For more information about this major or minor, see snes.eas.cornell.edu, visit the undergraduate program office in 104 Bruckner Hall, or send e-mail to sw38@cornell.edu.