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Minor in Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies Minor provides a pathway for students to develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues while building critical thinking and communication skills necessary to share their understanding of topics pertaining to sustainability and social justice. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field, the minor will engage students in thinking about environmental issues from multiple entry points including ecological, psychological, and ethical frameworks. The minor strives to challenge students to analyze and account for multiple aspects of environmental topics, with the overarching goal of fostering civic engagement and environmental competence.

Environmental Studies students go on to successful careers across non-profit, government, or private sectors, such as: community organizing, climate advocacy, business, urban/land use planning, public policy, academics, and environmental research. Environmental Studies students may also pursue graduate study in law, urban planning, public policy, or social and environmental sciences.

Flyer highlighting why to minor in environmental studies.


Requirements
Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary minor that requires 18 credits, selected after consultation with a departmental advisor, including:

Two foundational Natural Science and Social Science courses:

  • NSCI 340: Environmental Biology
  • PSYC 390: Environmental Psychology

Select at least one additional foundational course:

  • BIOL 223: Ecology (4 credits)
  • NSCI XXX: Environmental Chemistry
  • PHIL XXX: Environmental Philosophy
  • ENGL XXX: Earth Literature: Writing In and On the Environment

Select three electives:

  • ART 430: Art as Social Intervention
  • HIST 201: Natural, Civil, Human Rights
  • HIST 341: US Reconstruction to Progressive Era
  • HIST 450: History of New York
  • HIST XXX: US Supreme Court
  • PSYC 344: Group Dynamics
  • SOC 260: Introduction to Public Policy
  • SOC 301: Social Problems
  • SOC 305: Urban Sociology (4 credits)
  • SOC 347: Urban Planning (4 credits)
  • SOC 360: Public Policy Analysis
  • + other Special Topics Courses related to environmental issues, approved by minor coordinators

Meet the Minor Coordinators
Headshot of Assistant Professor of Biology Brian Haney, Ph.D., who poses in front of a red brick background
Brian Haney, PhD
Assistant Professor of BiologyDr. Haney has a background in research on behavioral ecology and social evolution. Currently, he studies the adaptations and conservation of urban insects in NYC.		 Photo of Professor Jennifer Pipitone crossing her arms and standing in front of a grassy hill
Jennifer M. Pipitone, PhD
Associate Professor of PsychologyAs an environmental psychologist, Dr. Pipitone’s research explores the human-environment relationship in multicultural settings locally and abroad; her current work explores urban green equity in NYC.