Program Description

Environmental scientists understand the scope and severity of the problems facing human society. We also now recognize the importance of considering people’s attitudes and preferences in the search for solutions to preserve the natural systems on which all life relies.

The environmental studies BA program at Purchase College reflects this new, interdisciplinary focus on the interactions among the sociopolitical, economic, and ecological systems where the natural world and human society overlap. This approach offers challenges and opportunities for those motivated to help improve the health of our environment and the quality of human existence.

In addition to the foundation and synthesis courses, students choose a concentration in either ecology or policy. Students are encouraged to complete the requirements for a minor in a cognate field, selected in consultation with the student’s academic advisor.

The program culminates in the senior project, an extensive research project undertaken in collaboration with a faculty member. Senior research projects vary widely in topic and method, but all incorporate a common theme: environmental impacts cannot be addressed without consideration of human society.

Program Faculty

Requirements for the Major

Foundation and Synthesis Courses:

• Introduction to Environmental Science
• General Biology I and II (with labs)
• General Ecology (with lab)
• Geology
• Environmental Policy
• Behavioral Statistics
• Geographic Information Systems
• Outdoor Skills or Scuba or Rock Climbing
• Environmental Regulations or Environmental Impact Assessment
• Environmental Studies Internship
• Environmental Studies Junior Seminar
• Senior Research Project

Ecology Concentration:

• General Chemistry I and II (with labs)
• Elective courses (at least 12 credits), chosen from an approved list

Policy Concentration:

• Two of the following course pairs:
  Introduction to U.S. Politics and Political Theory II
  or
  Macroeconomic Theory I and The Global Economy
  or
  Microeconomics I and Environmental Economics
• Elective courses (at least 14 credits), chosen from an approved list

Representative Elective Courses

Animal Behavior
Aquatic Pollution
Computer Applications in the Sciences
Conservation Biology
Ecology of Urban Environments
Economic Botany
Environmental Justice
Environmental Sociology
Field Biology of Local Landscapes
GIS Certification Lab
Marine Biology of the Mediterranean
Marine Ecology
Natural Resources
Philosophy of the Environment
Physical Geography
Watershed Science

Representative Alumni

• John Brasino ’78, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison; founder and former principal engineer, Environmental Partners Inc.
• Carolyn Cunningham ’77, JD, Pace University School of Law; consultant, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Shelli Dubay ’93, PhD, University of Wyoming; assistant professor of wildlife ecology, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
• John Fusco ’98, intelligence analyst, Office of Counter Terrorism, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services; lieutenant, U.S. Navy Reserve
• Louis Iannacchino ’99, environmental underwriter, Hudson Insurance Group
• Patrick Limber ’03, MS, University of California, Santa Cruz; PhD candidate (expected in 2012) and research fellow in earth and ocean sciences, Duke University
• Scott V. Ollinger ’89, PhD, University of New Hampshire; professor, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire
• Donald Pierson ’78, PhD, Uppsala University (Sweden); section chief, Water Quality Modeling, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
• Lindsay Randall ’07, MA candidate in political management (expected in 2012), George Washington University; special assistant to the associate director for communities, environmental protection, and green jobs, White House Council on Environmental Quality
• Ronald F. Robbins ’84, MA, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; resource conservation specialist, Headquarters Environmental Policies and Programs Office, U.S. Postal Service
• Jeff Rumpf ’86, MS.Ed, University of Northern Illinois; executive director, The Clearwater Project, the nonprofit environmental organization
• Carl Safina ’77, PhD, Rutgers University; prominent ecologist and marine conservationist; cofounder and president, Blue Ocean Institute; founder of the Living Oceans Program and former vice president for ocean conservation, National Audubon Society
• Gregory R. Saracino ’01, JD, Pace University School of Law; senior associate at Milber, Makris, Plousadis & Seiden LLP
• Stephanie Scavelli ’11, food and herb garden manager, Windjammer Farm, North Salem, N.Y.; stephaniescavelli.wordpress.com
• Tonia L. Selmeski ’00, MA in marine affairs, University of Rhode Island; environmental analyst, Office of Long Island Sound Programs, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Mackenzie S. Schoonmaker ’04, JD, Pace University School of Law; staff attorney involved in watershed issues, Riverkeeper (www.riverkeeper.org)

For more information, please visit the environmental studies program site or email sciences@purchase.edu.

Updated May 18, 2012

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