About the Program
The environmental studies program at Bucknell was established in 1979. BA and BS majors in environmental studies have been awarded since 1990. Presently about 18 students a year graduate with degrees in environmental studies -- typically 4 BS and 14 BA. Four faculty members have joint or entire appointments in environmental studies, and two dozen others contribute to the department with courses, advising, committee support, and "capstone" courses. The BA major permits concentration in policy, in science, or in general liberal studies. A BS major focuses on environmental biology. A minor is available to match with complementary degree programs such as religion, economics, or biology. Courses are provided both by Environmental Studies professors, and by a substantial list of cooperating faculty in related departments. To us, "environmental studies" is the overlap of many academic fields, such as biology, geology, policy studies and law, geography, religion, civil and chemical engineering, chemistry, economics, history, and sociology. All environmental education must be partly within a discipline, and partly interdisciplinary. Our graduates go on to successful careers in governmental policy and planning jobs, environmental enforcement, non-profit organizations, law, teaching, corporate communications, research, and many other fields. The typical worker in environmental policy, planning, research, or management has professional training in one or two environmental fields, and works upon a few facets of a complex problem in collaboration with other experts. Students with well-formed goals toward specific environmental careers should also look at the departmental majors available at Bucknell to learn if one of them would be the best preparation for the career they have in mind. The department of geology, for example, offers both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science degree in environmental geology. Most environmental studies majors benefit from the chance to study abroad. Field-based programs -- such as School for Field Study or School for International Training -- are especially appropriate for environmental students. A recently established Environmental Center at Bucknell supports student and faculty reseach, study, and engagement.
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