PHILOSOPHY
In this new century, we need to find ways to meet human demands, while protecting and restoring the natural environment that sustains us. As science increasingly demonstrates the complex interconnectedness of all the elements of natural systems, environmental decisions must take into account potential ecosystem-wide effects to be truly effective. Policy decisions will have to be made in the face of scientific uncertainty about key causal linkages in natural systems, often relying on untested technologies, and that subsequent scientific and technological advances may call for significant revisions in policy approaches. Environmental scientists and nonscientist policy-makers, managers, and planners must communicate with each other in new and better ways as development and environmental policy decisions are made.
The goal of the undergraduate program in Ecosystem Science and Policy (ECS) is to educate the next generation of environmental leaders. The ECS program provides students with a broad background in environmental issues from a variety of perspectives, along with in-depth education in an area of specialization. This preparation will give students both the theoretical background and technical skills to pursue an environmental career, including teaching and research as well as for careers in government and private industries concerned with the environment.
DEGREE OPTIONS
The Ecosystem Science and Policy program offers two undergraduate degree major programs: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). The ECS degree is a double major program. Students earning a B.S. in ECS must also complete a second major from one of the following disciplines: biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, geological sciences, math, microbiology, or physics. Students earning a B.A. in ECS must also complete a second major in a non-science area. The ECS major offers a series of problem-based learning courses, culminating in a capstone course in the senior year team-taught by scientist and non-scientist faculty, emphasizing integration of science and policy approaches to real-world environmental issues. Students are required to complete either a research internship with an environmental organization or a research project with the Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy or with other UM faculty.
Only those courses passed with a grade of “C-“ or better in the ECS core may be applied to the major or minor. All ECS majors are required to maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better in order to graduate with a double major in ECS.
Download Full 2007-2008 Program Guide
