Environmental Science and Policy
Environmental Science and Policy Program
0220 Symons Hall
Phone: 301-405-8571
http://ensp.umd.edu
Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP) is a multi-disciplinary undergraduate major co-sponsored by the Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Behavioral and Social Sciences; and Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. By combining a challenging multi-disciplinary program with practical experience, ENSP students gain an appreciation for the ways science, social systems, and policy interact; and are prepared to take roles in responding to the world's emerging environmental challenges.
Director: Dr. Mark Carroll
Assistant Director: Ms. Angela Mazur-Gray
Principal Lecturer: Mrs. Joanna Goger
Senior Lecturer: Ms. Annette Spivy
Lecturers: Dr. Caroline Boules
Advising is mandatory for all ENSP students in all areas of concentration, regardless of GPA, concentration, or credit level. We want to help you meet program requirements while achieving your academic and career goals. Refer to the ENSP webpage at http://ensp.umd.edu to find advisor assignments.
Undergraduate Research Experiences
We encourage all interested students to gain research experience. Many beginning ENSP students gain their first research experience by participating in the Maryland Student Researchers Program, which is coordinated by the Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research. More advanced students gain research experience working with their faculty members; in a field assistantship at the USDA - Beltsville Agricultural Research Center or the US FWS - Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge; or by participating in an NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Additionally, highly motivated and capable students are encouraged to enroll in Honors-in-ENSP to pursue a self-directed, individual project. Details about all of these opportunities are available on our website.
Internships
Practical experience is an important part of learning. Whether gained by volunteering, clubs, internships, and/or research — all experience contributes to students' professional development, helps determine what they enjoy doing, and makes classwork more meaningful. ENSP maintains an extensive list of internship opportunities on its website (http://ensp.umd.edu) and students receive weekly listserv announcements generated from the Advising Blog (http://enspadvisingnews.blogspot.com). Many of ENSP's concentrations require an internship; and most ENSP students complete at least two such experiences. ENSP students can earn credit for an internship experience via ENSP386. Students should review the ENSP webpage for details on this process.
Departmental Honors Program
The Honors Program in Environmental Science and Policy provides energetic and capable undergraduates the opportunity to engage in independent study. Interested students must have 45-75 credits at the time of application; a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher; and a 3.5 or higher in all courses required for ENSP. Transfer students with equivalent academic records are also encouraged to apply. All students who meet the application requirements are eligible to apply; they need not have been a member of University Honors Program. The research will be conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor, usually in the student's area of concentration, and will result in an Honors thesis. More information about admission, program requirements, and academic resources is available on the website (http://ensp.umd.edu).
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: http://financialaid.umd.edu.
Student Societies and Professional Organizations
UMD ENSPire: ENSPire is the ENSP Student Advisory board. With representatives from each academic class, ENSPire strives to unite ENSP majors and those with a genuine interest in bettering the environment through academics, professional development, community service, exploration of nature, and social activity.