Division of Environmental Science

TOP
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

JAMES M. HASSETT, Undergraduate Program Director
402 Baker Laboratory
315-470-6633 FAX 315-470-6958

Mission and Objectives Statement

The faculty members who deliver the program in environmental science perform teaching, research and public service activities to promote environmental practices to improve the lives of people within New York state and around the world.

The objectives of the faculty who deliver the program in environmental science are to prepare baccalaureate students who:

• Will engage in environmental work while employed by government agencies and industry or in private consulting that specialize in public works and the inventory, management, design, use, restoration and protection of natural and cultural resources,
• Are prepared to enter advanced academic studies involved with any of the many aspects of environmental science, and
• Will continue to develop the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to changing technological, environmental and business conditions to the benefit of society, employer and self.

Program outcomes for the undergraduate (B.S.) program in environmental science are to produce graduates who:

• Are knowledgeable of examples of global, regional and local environmental problems and issues,
• Are competent to perform in a graduate education or entry-level work environment,
• Have a sufficient knowledge base and tools to function effectively,
• Have the ability to conceptualize environmental problems in terms of unifying principles,
• Are capable of utilizing a systems approach to problem solving, and
• Can communicate their ideas and expectations effectively.

Additionally, the undergraduate program in environmental science aims to produce graduates who exhibit the following attributes:

• Knowledge–both in understanding basic principles and in creativity in problem solving
• Skills–originality and method of problem solving
• Attitude–ethics, self-discipline, perseverance
• Can function effectively in a multidisciplinary team/environment
• Understand the need for life-long learning

Undergraduate Program Requirements

The undergraduate curriculum in environmental science consists of two broad categories of courses. The general education component provides students with knowledge and skills that are useful and important for all educated persons. The professional courses provide students with direct preparation for a career.

Students may be admitted directly as first-year freshmen at ESF, or through a variety of transfer options. See page 22 for more inform-ation. Regardless of which way students enter ESF, they must complete both the general and professional education requirements.

Lower Division Course Requirements (49-52 credits)

 

Courses			Credits
APM	106	Survey of Calculus and Its Applications II		4
APM	153	Computing Methods		3
CLL	190	Writing and the Environment	G	3
CLL	290	Writing, Humanities and the Environment	G	3
EFB	120	The Global Environment & the Evolution of Human Society		3
EFB	226	General Botany	G	4
EFB	285	Principles of Zoology		4
ESC ESF	132 332	Orientation Seminar: Environmental Science OR Seminar for New Transfer Students		1 0
EST	200	Cultural Ecology	G	3
FCH	150	General Chemistry I		3
FCH	151	General Chemistry Laboratory I		1
FCH	152	General Chemistry II		3
FCH	153	General Chemistry Laboratory II		1
FOR	207	Introduction to Economics	G	3
PHY	211	General Physics I		3
PHY	221	General Physics Laboratory I		1
PHY	212	General Physics II		3
PHY	222	General Physics Laboratory II		1

Electives (15 credits)

Electives		6
General Education: American History	G	3
General Education: Western Civilization	G	3
General Education: The Arts	G	3

Professional Courses (13 credits)

APM	391	Introduction to Probability and Statistic	3
EFB	320	General Ecology	4
ESF	200	Information Literacy	1
		Senior Seminar	5

Environmental Science Core (one course from each area; 12-14 credits)

Courses are chosen from the list on the next page. Note: courses used to complete the advanced courses in chemistry, biology or mathe-matics requirement may NOT be used to complete the environmental science core or option requirements.

The Physical Environment	3-4
The Living Environment	3-4
The Geographical Environment	3
The Social Environment	3

Advanced Courses in Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics (2 courses; 8 credits)

An advanced course is one that has at least one prerequisite, or is numbered 300 or above. Note: courses used to complete the advanced courses in chemistry, biology or mathematics requirement may NOT be used to complete the environmental science core or option requirements.

Advanced Course in Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics (with laboratory)	4
Advanced Course in Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics (with laboratory)	4

Environmental Science Option (5 courses within option; 15-16 credits)

Courses are chosen from the list on this page. Note: Courses used to complete the advanced courses in chemistry, biology or mathe-matics requirement may NOT be used to complete the environmental science core or option requirements.

Environmental Information and Mapping	15-16
Watershed Science	16
Health and the Environment	15-16
Earth and Atmospheric Systems Science	15
Environmental Analysis	16
Environmental Engineering Science	15

Second Option or Minor (12-16 credits)

Courses are chosen from the list of option courses or from the list of minors on page 9. Note: courses used to complete the advanced courses in chemistry, biology or mathematics requirement may NOT be used to complete the environmental science core or option requirements.

Total minimum credits for the degree      125 credits

Environmental Science Core Courses

Students must complete one course from each of the following environmental science core areas. Note: Courses used to complete the advanced chemistry, biology, or mathematics requirements; environmental science core requirements; or option requirements may NOT be used to satisfy more than one of these requirements.

The Physical Environment

ERE	223	Statics and Dynamics	4
ERE	310	Environmental Measurements and Spatial Information	3
ERE	351	Basic Engineering Thermodynamics	2
FCH	210	Elements of Organic Chemistry	4
FCH	221	Organic Chemistry I	3
FCH	222	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	1
FCH	360	Physical Chemistry	3
FOR	338	Meteorology	3
FOR	340	Watershed Hydrology	3
FOR	345	Introduction to Soils	3
GOL	106	Environmental Geology	3

The Living Environment

EFB	303	Introductory Environmental Microbiology	4
EFB	326	Diversity of Plants	3
EFB	336	Dendrology	3
EFB	352	Elements of Entomology	3
EFB	355	Invertebrate Zoology	4
EFB	385	Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy	4
EFB	440	Mycology	3
EFB	462	Animal Physiology: Environmental and Ecological	3
EFB	483	Mammal Diversity	3
EFB	485	Herpetology	3
EFB	486	Ichthyology	3

The Geographical Environment

ERE	371	Surveying for Engineers	4
ERE	450	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
FEG	352	Introduction to Remote Sensing	3
LSA	311	Natural Processes in Design and Planning	3
GEO	302	Worlds of Food and Famine	3
GEO	305	Population Change	3
GEO	315	Global Environmental Change	3
GEO	388	Geographic Information and Society	3

The Social Environment

CLL		390		Introduction to Literature of Nature	3
EFB/EST		220		Urban Ecology	3
EST		361		History of the American Environmental Movement	3
EST		390		Social Processes and the Environment	3
FOR		312		Sociology of Natural Resources	3
FOR		465		Natural Resources Policy	3

Environmental Science Option Courses

Students must complete at least one option. In addition, students must complete a second option, a minor, or an approved self-designed option. Note: Courses used to complete the advanced chemistry, biology, or mathematics requirements; environmental science core requirements; or option requirements may NOT be used to satisfy more than one of these requirements.

Environmental Information and Mapping

ERE	371	Surveying for Engineers	4
ERE	450	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
FEG FEG	352 363	Introduction to Remote Sensing OR Photogrammetry I	3 3
FOR FOR GEO	556 557 381	Introduction to Raster GIS Analysis OR Practical Vector GIS OR Cartographic Design	3 3 4
ERE	496	Special Topics	3

Watershed Science

EFB	415	Ecological Biogeochemistry	3
FEG	340	Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics	4
FOR	340	Watershed Hydrology	3
FOR	345	Introduction to Soils	3
FOR	443	Forest Hydrology	3

Health and the Environment

EFB	303	Introductory Environmental Microbiology	4
EFB	307	Principles of Genetics	3
EFB	308	Principles of Genetics Laboratory	1
EFB	325	Cell Physiology	3
EFB	385	Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy	4
EFB	462	Animal Physiology: Environmental and Ecological	3

Earth and Atmospheric Systems Science

CIE FCH	471 510	Environmental Chemistry and Analysis OR Environmental Chemistry I	3 3
EFB	415	Ecological Biogeochemistry	3
EFB FCH	524 496	Limnology OR Special Topics: Oceanography	3 3
FOR	338	Meteorology	3
FOR	340	Watershed Hydrology	3

Environmental Analysis

EFB	303	Introductory Environmental Microbiology	4
FCH	380	Analytical Chemistry I: Gravimetric, Titrimetric and Potentiometric Analysis	3
FCH	381	Analytical Chemistry II: Spectroscopic, Chromatographic and Electroanalysis Techniques	3
FOR FOR FOR	338 340 345	Meteorology OR Watershed Hydrology OR Introduction to Soils	3 3 3
GEO ERE FEG	388 450 352	Geographic Information and Society OR Introduction to Geographic Information Systems OR Introduction to Remote Sensing	3 3 3

Environmental Engineering Science

ERE	440	Water Pollution Engineering	3
ERE	441	Air Pollution Engineering	3
ERE	506	Hazardous Waste Management	3
PSE	370	Principles of Mass and Energy Balance	3
PSE	473	Mass Transfer	3

TOP
Undergraduate Minors

Students who meet the admission requirements may enroll in any of the undergraduate minors offered at ESF (see page 9).

TOP
Graduate Program in Environmental Science (GPES)

TBA, Graduate Program Director
107 Marshall Hall
315- 470-6636; FAX 315-470-6915
www.esf.edu/es

The graduate program in environmental science (GPES) offers M.S., M.P.S. and Ph.D. degrees. GPES was created in the early 1970s as a unique response to the emerging institutional and analytical challenges of developing environmental problems. The program, which draws upon faculty from throughout the college, emphasizes a multi-disci-plinary social and natural science approach to environmental under-standing and stewardship. It maintains a strong academic orientation, facilitating student and faculty engagement of fundamental environ-mental challenges such as federalism, participatory democracy, the uses and limits of scientific prediction, risk and sustainability.

The mission of GPES is to provide interdisciplinary education, research and public service to foster effective environmental stewardship and to prepare students to address environmental concerns and problems comprehensively. The program provides for the following:

• Multidisciplinary approach: recognition of the necessity to approach environmental problems with input from several disciplines and professions
• Holistic perspective: awareness of and deference to the interde-pendence of elements within broadly defined ecosystems, including physical, biological, social and economic systems
• Topical grounding: competency to understand and apply the principles of a particular subject of environmental inquiry in sufficient depth to interact with other disciplines and professional fields
• Realistic experience: internships, focused projects, theses and seminars provide for direct interaction of legal, economic, political and social systems which underlie decision making

The program’s internal structure incorporates a common core that provides a broad policy-oriented foundation for the focused areas of study. Students applying to GPES must select which area of study they intend to pursue.

Requirements

The academic requirements of the graduate program in environ-mental science are designed to provide graduates with a sound preparation to meet the rapidly evolving challenges of the field as leading scholars and professionals. Programmatic requirements con-stitute a framework which includes a comprehensive core foundation emphasizing theory, issues and methods; extended knowledge within an area of study; and a synthesis experience.

Entering students should be adequately prepared to engage graduate level work in the program. The following undergraduate courses are pre- or co-requisites for all master's students: statistics, ecology and microeconomics or environmental economics. Courses in political science are strongly recommended.

In addition, students should have an academic background and/or work experience related to the selected area of study. Wherever possible, deficiencies should be made up prior to matriculation.

Master of Science

The master of science degree is designed as a three-year experience.

Core Requirements

A core of nine credit hours in applied social sciences is required. In addition, a total of six credit hours is required in research methods. Course options which satisfy these requirements are designated by the area of study faculty.

Area of Study Requirements

A minimum of 15 credit hours (excluding ENS 899) is required in the area of study, as determined by the major professor and area of study faculty. Area of study subcommittees maintain advising lists of courses pre-approved to satisfy the 15-credit area of study require-ment. The student’s major professor or steering committee may designate additional courses. Five study areas are available to M.S. students: environmental policy and democratic processes, environmental and community land planning, environmental systems and risk management, water and wetland resource studies, and environmental communication and participatory processes.

Thesis Requirements

A minimum of six credit hours of research is required resulting in a document that clearly demonstrates graduate-level accomplish-ments of the student, followed by a defense examination. Students must have an approved thesis proposal.

Master of Professional Studies

The master of professional studies degree is a 39-credit-hour experience aimed at professional applications of environmental knowledge.

Core Requirements

A total of 21 credit hours is required. These must include nine credit hours of applied social sciences in environmental policy and regulation, and democratic processes. In addition, a total of six credit hours is required in environmental science and six credit hours is required in methods courses emphasizing applications of technical knowledge.

Area of Study Requirements

A minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework is required in the chosen area of study, as determined by the major professor and study area faculty. Students select a study area at the time of application for admission to the program. Five study areas are available to M.P.S. students: environmental policy and democratic processes, environmental and community land planning, environ-mental systems and risk management, water and wetland resource studies, and environmental communication and participatory processes.

Synthesis Requirements

Students select either an internship for three to six credit hours or prepare a synthesis paper for three credit hours. All students must present a capstone seminar in their final semester. No terminal comprehensive examination is required.

Applicants with a minimum of three years of post-baccalaureate, full-time professional experience directly related to the intended area of study may apply for six credit hours of advanced standing in the program, reducing their degree requirements to 33 credit hours. Partial credit for experience cannot be awarded. When awarded for prior work experience, the six credit hours are applied toward the synthesis requirement.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. program provides a unique opportunity to develop environmental policy-related research within a strong college community of environmental analysts and to draw upon the expertise of scholars at Syracuse University. All applicants are expected to have completed a master’s research thesis. A copy of the thesis abstract should accompany the application. In addition, entering students are required to complete the equivalent of the GPES master's core either from prior graduate study or coursework taken within the first year of residency.

Areas of Study

Environmental Communication and Participatory Processes (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: DeBAISE, KUEHN, LAWLER, MEISNER, SENECAH, WHITMORE

This study area addresses the communicative dynamics of the formation of attitudes. It includes decision making, public policy, public participation, campaign development, organizational effective-ness, and conflict prevention and resolution, which all hinge on the ability of participants to communicate and use information effectively, strategically and ethically. GPES students with this option will be prepared to enter diverse arenas of industry, non-government organizations and government structures well equipped to facilitate and participate in effective interactions among individual citizens, nongovernment organizations, publics, agencies, bureaucracies, scientists and others. They will have the skills and knowledge that will allow them to choose the more appropriate and effective process structures and strategies to reach objectives.

Environmental and Community Land Planning (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: CARTER, DEMING, DOBLE, M. HALL, HAWKS, SCHUSTER, SHANNON

Environmental and community land planning is concerned with orderly, efficient, equitable and aesthetic development of land with special concern for the state of the natural environment, the physical character of communities, and decision making at state, county and local levels of government. Planning balances competing demands on land and environment brought about by expanding urban and rural development, and enhancing viable natural and cultural resources is an important planning perspective. Another perspective involves the guiding of private and public development processes within a pluralistic political environment in order to promote sustainable communities while at the same time respecting fiscal, environmental and legal constraints.

The program is designed for students with social science, natural science, engineering or design backgrounds who are interested in an interdisciplinary and integrative program. Some students have majors in interdisciplinary programs in urban studies or environmental studies. Students develop an understanding and knowledge of development processes, natural systems and governmental planning and regulation. They develop a capacity to analyze environmental and community land planning problems and to form imaginative solutions. Skills obtained include preparation of land and environmental databases, plans, policies and implementation programs.

Environmental Systems and Risk Management (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: ENDRENY, C. HALL, JOHNSON, KROLL, LIMBURG, LUZADIS, MITCHELL, NAKATSUGAWA, NORDENSTAM

The environmental systems and risk management study area focuses on problems in environmental and natural resource policy in which scientific and technical issues are of central importance. The program is designed for graduate students with a science or engineering background. Current research includes spatial model construction, ecosystems modeling, development of model assessment and selection criteria, environmental risk assessment, use of technical information by regulatory agencies, land use forecasting for public policy decision making, and water resources assessment and planning. The environmental systems and risk management area of study provides a unique opportunity to study interdisciplinary problems. Specific coursework in environmental systems and risk management is supplemented by traditional disciplinary coursework in engineering or the natural sciences and policy analysis.

Environmental Policy and Democratic Processes (M.S., M.P.S.)

Participating Faculty: FELLEMAN, LAWLER, LUZADIS, MALMSHEIMER, MANNO, MEISNER, MORAN, NORDENSTAM, SENECAH, SMARDON, WAGNER

The environmental policy and democratic processes study area addresses problems of environmental decision making at a time of rapid institutional and social change. How our society can best meet the growing challenges of environmental stewardship through mandated and voluntary public participation in decision making is the central question. This concern is increasingly important to many segments of modern society, and we intend that students acquiring knowledge in this study area will be prepared to contribute positively to these processes in career pursuits.

The focus of this study area is on developing new understanding of public participation in environmental decision making, against the backdrop of environmental policymaking and program implementation. Particular attention is given to (a) the variety of organizationsinvolved in participation, which generally are the institutions and agencies of government, citizen-based non-governmental organizations and the business or industrial sector; (b) the availability and utility of environmental information for these groups; and (c) the participation and integration of all informed stakeholders into environmental decision making. This tripartite scheme of organizations, information and participation frames student programs of study, and suggests important directions for student and faculty research efforts.

The study area advances understanding of these questions of participatory democracy for environmental decision making through research and instruction, and is particularly suited to inquisitive students with degrees in environmental studies, political science, geography, engineering and other fields that provide inter-disciplinary backgrounds in natural and social science.

Water and Wetland Resource Studies (M.S., M.P.S., Ph.D.)

Participating Faculty: ENDRENY, KROLL, LIMBURG, LUTZ, MORAN, SMARDON, STELLA

The water and wetland resources area of study develops an under-standing of technical, social and institutional aspects of water resources management, mitigation and restoration. Individual students may emphasize scientific or social subject areas but all study in both areas. Scientific aspects include the basic physical, chemical and biological interactions occurring in water resources systems. The social aspects are concerned with planning, regulation, law and institutions and management of water and wetland resources.

Recommended coursework includes:

• physical sciences: civil engineering, geology, geomorphology, hydrology, meteorology, environmental engineering, soils, water chemistry, hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry and geographic information systems;
• biological sciences: ecology, entomology, fisheries biology, forestry, microbiology, water quality and limnology; and
• social sciences: administration, economics, government, history, law, ethics, philosophy and policy.

Environmental and Natural Resources Policy (Ph.D.) www.esf.edu/enrp

Participating Faculty: FELLEMAN, GERMAIN, LUZADIS, MALMSHEIMER, MANNO, MORAN, NORDENSTAM, SENECAH, SMARDON, WAGNER

The environmental and natural resources policy Ph.D. program is a collaborative program offered by both the Department of Environ-mental Studies and the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management. This study area investigates how societies formulate and implement decisions regarding environmental and natural resources. Doctoral students integrate the biophysical sciences and policy-related social sciences to solve important problems in environmental and natural resources policy with applications throughout the world. The program offers an opportunity to work with outstanding faculty members on applied and theoretical studies.

Faculty members conduct studies at international, national, state and local levels on sustainability, implementation and administration of environmental, natural resources, and forest management programs and economic and institutional influences and impacts of government and non-government policies. The applications include environmental, natural resources and forest policy and administration; and environmental, natural resources, forest and ecological economics.

The environmental and natural resources policy (ENRP) doctoral program is a highly individualized program with coursework and research determined in consultation with the student, major professor and steering committee. Some coursework requirements may be met by transferring graduate credits as approved by the steering committee. Students may also fulfill coursework requirements by completing courses offered by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Specific degree requirements are described in the Handbook for Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Ph.D., available in 320 Bray Hall, 107 Marshall Hall, and on the ENRP Web site.

Students are expected to complete requirements resulting in a coherent body of theory, a depth of understanding in a specified area of biophysical science, appropriate research methods, and advanced policy analysis and understanding.

The following four core competencies must be satisfied prior to the doctoral candidacy examination. A minimum of 12 credits is required in each area.

• Natural science: graduate courses (500 level or higher) in a definable area of biophysical science
• Policy-related social science: 600-level or higher courses including at least one government course and one economics course
• Research methods: 600-level or higher courses including a general research methods course (required), qualitative methods, quantitative statistical methods, GIS, or spatial statistics
• Advanced environmental and natural resources policy: 600-level or higher courses including policy analysis and program evaluation (required).

Graduates have careers as university professors and advanced policy or program analysts. They often become leaders in govern-ment, legislatures, corporations, not-for-profit organizations, advocacy groups and academic institutions, consulting firms and village associations throughout the world. 

TOP
Certificate of Graduate Study in Environmental Decision Making

Purpose

The certificate of graduate study in environmental decision making is designed for graduate students enrolled in law, management, public administration, or information studies programs at Syracuse University. It provides an exposure to specialized environmental study that is relevant to students’ primary professional interests in the fields identified. Because students in each of these programs will engage important environmental policy, program implementation and decision-making processes in their professional efforts, the distinctive environmental orientation of this certificate program will help students to better understand some of the complexities of environmental decision making from their unique professional perspectives.

The focus of certificate study is on environmental decision making, which can be defined as the process by which stakeholders in environmental outcomes engage in communications to seek solutions to environmental problems. Familiarly, decision making can refer to environmental policy making by governmental institutions, but a meaningful understanding of the topic in today’s world will also include processes such as information acquisition and dissemination and such notions as negotiation, mediation, information policy and public participation as part of the decision-making lexicon. The decision-making focus furthermore expands the scope of stakeholders to include not only the institutions and agencies of government, but also the large variety of citizen-based nongovernmental organizations and the business and industrial private sector.

Student Eligibility

Graduate students currently matriculated and in good academic standing in their law, management, public administration, or information studies degree programs at Syracuse University are eligible to apply for entrance into the certificate program. Applications from any other sources cannot be accepted at this time.

Administrative Procedures

Application and admissions procedures, compliance with college requirements for successful graduate study and the awarding of certificates are all administered by the ESF dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies. If enrollment limitations are established, acceptances will be made on a rolling basis, according to the date of receipt of applications.

Student applications are made by completing the application form found in the advising guide. This provides contact information for applicants and verifies their matriculated status at Syracuse University. Upon completion of program credit-hour requirements, students file a certificate request form, which identifies completed coursework and initiates actions to produce official transcripts, leading to the award of the certificate.

Forms are available in the College’s Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies, 227 Bray Hall, and in the Department of Environmental Studies Office, 107 Marshall Hall. To assist certificate students in making suitable course selections and to answer related program questions, students should contact the Department Chair, 106 Marshall Hall.

Academic Advisement

Prospective students are encouraged to speak with their Syracuse University academic advisors about the advisability of and timing for entering this certificate program. Students might also wish to contact the following persons, who are knowledgeable of certificate goals and requirements:

• Law: Margery Connor, associate dean for student affairs
• Management: Clint Tankersley, associate dean
• Public Administration: Christine Omolino, associate director
• Information Studies: Thomas Martin, professor