St. Bonaventure University to Offer Major in Environmental Studies

St. Bonaventure University will offer a new major in environmental studies beginning in fall 2015.

The New York State Department of Education approved the bachelor of arts degree program earlier this month.

Dr. Ted Georgian, biology professor and longtime instructor in St. Bonaventure’s environmental science program, will serve as program director. The environmental science program will be phased out May 31, 2015.

Unlike environmental science, which is meant to provide substantial depth in the technical aspects of the discipline, the environmental studies program gives students the flexibility to select courses that approach environmental issues from a perspective of interest to them, from business to natural resources conservation to philosophy and theology.

“St. Bonaventure, with its Catholic Franciscan tradition, mission, and value of the care for Creation, is singularly called to initiate such a degree,” Georgian said. “The program will also put to good use the natural setting of the campus and surrounding areas, as well as their built environments.”

Students who are passionate about sustainable development can combine this major with a minor or even a second major in an area that reflects their skills and career interests.

The breadth of this program will prepare students for a wide range of careers, such as “green” business initiatives, environmental law and policy, natural resource conservation, environmental education, environmental journalism and marketing, and work with governmental and other organizations working to build a more sustainable future.

Although housed in the School of Arts and Sciences, St. Bonaventure’s environmental studies program will be interdisciplinary, with the degree built upon existing and new courses in the schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Journalism and Mass Communication.

The major will require 33 to 35 credit hours, depending on lab components.

The program encompasses and integrates study in three core areas: principles of ecology and environmental sciences; environmental ethics and aesthetics; and environmental social policy and science.

For more information, visit www.sbu.edu/environmental.

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