BA Environmental Studies

 

The environmental studies program at Hunter provides broad training in environmental studies. The focus of our training is earth system science and environmental sustainability. We have two concentrations within our program: Environmental Earth Science and Human Dimensions of Earth Systems.The core courses of the major are grounding the physical sciences. After choosing a concentration, students take advanced physical science courses for Environmental Earth Science concentration and social science courses for the Human Dimensions of Earth Systems concentration. Most recently we have added courses in environmental justice and ethics. Total requirements include 42 credits from core and elective categories. We offer courses in human and social geography (GEOG), physical geography (PGEOG), geology (GEOL), and geographic techniques and technologies (GTECH).

Hunter ES graduates are entering diverse post-graduate degree programs including Harvard Law, Columbia University’s School of International Affairs and Public Administration, Oregon Oceanography, Stony Brook Marine Science, and our own CUNY Graduate Center. Students also are being awarded a number of different internships and Fellowships such as those from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Atmospheric and Space Administration (NASA) as well as internships here in New York City with local institutions.



Major Requirements in Environmental Studies - Beginning Fall 2020

Please refer to Hunter College's Undergraduate Catalog
https://hunter-undergraduate.catalog.cuny.edu/programs/ENVSTD-BA

Research experience, Capstone, and Independent Study Work Guide (May 3, 2023)

Contact the Environmental Studies major advisor at esmajor@hunter.cuny.edu if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to make an appointment to learn more about the major.

Note: Students who declared their major in Environmenal Studies prior to November 2020 can opt for the new major or stay with the requirements for the old major at the time the major was declared.



Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will acquire broad knowledge of the Earth environment, using a systems approach to identify and describe its history, components, their functions and interactions at multiple spatial and temporal scales.
  2. Students will acquire knowledge of the Earth’s key trends in climate and environmental issues in their socio-political context.
  3. Students will gather, measure, synthesize and evaluate data from diverse sources using visual, analytical and statistical approaches to describe and interpret relationships, trends and make predictions about future changes.
  4. Students will communicate effectively in the language of the discipline, incorporating written, oral and visual methods. Students will communicate to audiences ranging from scientific to policy oriented. Students will be prepared to become active, informed citizens ready to have an impact on society.
  5. Students will build knowledge about the environmental dimensions of systemic racism and other types of oppression such as those based on gender or religious identity. Students will be able to apply scientific evidence and theories that explain environmental injustices and use environmental knowledge and skills to advance just and sustainable societies.