Environmental Science and Policy Major

 Program Director: Mark Carroll, Ph.D.

Environmental Science and Policy is a broadly multi-disciplinary, undergraduate major, drawing courses and faculty from eight departments, three colleges (the Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences), and one School (the School of Public Health).

New ENSP students begin in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where they will be guided through a structured, exploratory advising process. ENSP students are expected to declare a concentration by the end of their third semester in the program and, once they declare their concentration, will move administratively to the college and department sponsoring the concentration. There, they are advised by a faculty member in their discipline.

The ENSP faculty and staff aspire to provide a strong identity for the students enrolled in this major, and we encourage students to take advantage of the rich resources available at a Research I public university. Experiential learning through research, internships, and study abroad is strongly encouraged.

Admission to the Major

Incoming students who wish to enter ENSP may do so by selecting ENSP-Undeclared on their application for admission. On-campus students may declare ENSP during a meeting with the Assistant Director. Please review the ENSP website at http://ensp.umd.edu to learn about the program and its requirements prior to your first advising meeting.

Program Objectives

The curriculum of Environmental Science and Policy comprises an introductory core of lower-level courses in environmental science, environmental policy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, geography, economics, calculus, and statistics. This is followed by in-depth and focused training in one of eleven areas of concentration in biological resources, earth systems, or the human dimensions of the field; and two upper-level courses in applied science and policy. The educational philosophy of the program is to train students broadly using a multi-disciplinary approach at the introductory level so that they are exposed to the myriad ways there are to learn about environmental systems and to address human-environment issues. This introductory approach precedes the concentration in which the students are prepared for post-graduate study or work in a discipline-based field. The combination of the lower-level core courses and upper-level depth in a concentration prepares graduates to work and study independently or as members of teams in which they will be asked to be experts in one area, while understanding and using effectively other natural and social science knowledge and investigative approaches.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Utilize and integrate knowledge and understanding of natural and social sciences.
  2. Depth and knowledge in an area of concentration.
  3. Readiness for full-time employment and grad school.
 
Course Title Credits
ENSP Core 118-19
Introduction to Environmental Science
Introduction to Environmental Policy
Capstone in Environmental Science and Policy ((senior standing))
Applied Science and Policy (select one) 2, 3
Applied Spatial Analysis in Environmental Science and Policy
Fundamentals of Qualitative Research Methods for Environmental Studies
Introduction to Environmental Law
Water: Science, Ethics, and Policy
Environmental Threats to Oceans and Coasts: Towards an Integrated Policy Response
Energy Resources: Science and Policy in the 21st Century
Principles of Environmental Justice: Theory and Practice
Calculus (select one):
Elementary Calculus I
Calculus for Life Sciences
Calculus I
Statistics (select one):
Introduction to Biometrics
Introductory Statistics for Sociology
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Geographical Environmental Sciences
Economic Statistics
Select at least one course each from four of the five groups:12-14
Group 1- Biology:
Principles of Ecology and Evolution
and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab
Group 2 - Chemistry:
Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
Group 3 - Earth Sciences:
Weather and Climate
and Weather and Climate Laboratory
Fundamentals of Soil Science
Geography of Environmental Systems
and Geography of Environmental Systems Laboratory
Physical Geology
and Physical Geology Laboratory
Environmental Geology
and Physical Geology Laboratory
Group 4 - Economics:
Introduction to Economics and the Environment
Environment, Economics and Policy
Principles of Microeconomics
Group 5 - Geography:
Development Geography: Environmental & Social Justice
Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Floods, and Fires
Mapping our Digital World
Introduction to Human Geography
Total Credits30-33
1

Requirements may vary slightly depending on concentration; please refer to complete list of requirements on http://ensp.umd.edu.

2

To be taken in the junior or senior year

3

Students shall not double-count the Applied Science and Policy requirement with another requirement for their concentration.

GRADING POLICY:  Students who entered the Environmental Science and Policy Program (ENSP) in Spring 2002, and thereafter, are required to earn grades of "C-" or higher in all courses taken within the ENSP core, in all required courses, and restricted electives of the selected area of concentration.

Areas of Concentration

Students choose an area of concentration and move administratively to the College and academic department sponsoring the concentration where they receive faculty advising and advanced training and background.  See requirements for each Area of Concentration below.

Environment and Agriculture (AGNR)

Course Title Credits
Requirements
Fundamentals and Background18-19
Principles of Animal Science
and Principles of Animal Science Laboratory
Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology
and Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory
Principles of Genetics
Plants, Genes and Biotechnology
Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Introductory Crop Science
and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory
Cartography, Remote Sensing, and GIS (6 credits)6
Introduction to Earth Observation Science
Geographic Visualization and Digital Mapping
Remote Sensing: Digital Processing and Analysis
Geographic Information Systems
Renewable Energy
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
Internship (3 credits)
Internship
Restricted Electives (choose 5 courses in one Area) 115-19
Area 1 - Crop production and plant protection
Area 2 - Human dimensions
Total Credits39-44
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Environmental Economics (AGNR)

Course Title Credits
Economics Foundation - Choose Track 1 or Track 2 13-14
Track 1: Preparation for PhD programs in Economics and quantitative careers that produce economic analysis
Principles of Macroeconomics
Calculus II
Economic Statistics
Applied Probability and Statistics I
Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
Track 2: Preparation for Master's programs in Public Policy, Law, and careers that involve decision-making informed by economic analysis
Principles of Macroeconomics
Applied Economic Statistics
Business Statistics
Intermediate Applied Microeconomics
Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
Select one of the following courses:
Elementary Calculus II (or Equivalent)
Applied Econometrics
Econometric Analysis in Agricultural and Environmental Economics
Data Science for Environmental and Resource Economics
AREC382
Applied Spatial Analysis in Environmental Science and Policy
Fundamentals of Qualitative Research Methods for Environmental Studies
Restricted Electives inside Economics (Choose 5 courses from an approved list) 115
Restricted Electives outside Economics (choose from one Supporting Area below) 112
Area 1- Social science (at least 9 credits must be 300- or 400-level)
Area 2 - Earth Science
Area 3 - Life Science (at least 9 credits must be 300- or 400-level)
Area 4 - Preparation for Graduate Work in Environmental Economics
Total Credits40-41
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Soil, Water, and Land Resources (AGNR)

Course Title Credits
Requirements 18-22
Select one:
Introduction to Earth Observation Science
Select one:
Geomorphology
Geomorphology
Select one:
Groundwater
Watershed and Wetland Hydrology
Soil Hydrology and Physics
Select two:
Field Soil Morphology I
and Field Soil Morphology II
and Field Soil Morphology III
Renewable Energy
Soil-Water Pollution
Select two:
Principles of Soil Fertility
Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification
Soil Hydrology and Physics
Soil Chemistry
Soil Microbial Ecology
Restricted Electives (at least 3 courses) 19
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Wildlife Ecology and Management (AGNR)

Course Title Credits
Requirements29
Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology
and Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory
Introduction to Natural Resources Management
Principles of Genetics
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Principles of Wildlife Management
Principles of Ecology
Fundamentals of Physics I (Require)
Applied Spatial Analysis in Environmental Science and Policy
Internship/Research3-6
Internship
Honors Thesis Research
Restricted Electives - Choose at least 6 courses (3 courses in each Area) 118
Area 1 - Ecological and Taxonomic Dimensions
Area 2 - Management
Total Credits50-53
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Culture and Environment (BSOS)

Course Title Credits
Requirements 13
Introduction to Ecological and Evolutionary Anthropology
Method and Theory in Ecological Anthropology
Introduction to Archaeology
and Method and Theory in Archaeology
Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology and Linguistics
and Method and Theory in Sociocultural Anthropology
Restricted Electives in Anthropology (choose at least 4 courses; at least 6 credits must be 300- or 400-level) 112
Restricted Electives outside Anthropology (including 9 credits from the same academic department) 115
Applied Field Methods 13-6
1

See ENSP website for list of approved courses in this category.

Environmental Politics and Policy (BSOS)

Course Title Credits
Requirements 24
Principles of Macroeconomics
American Government
International Political Relations
The Study of Comparative Politics
Global Environmental Politics
Seminar in Advanced Topics in Environmental Policy Analysis
Introduction to Environmental Law
GVPT course of choice. Must be 200/300/400-level with advisor approval
Restricted Electives (6 courses) 118
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Global Environmental Change (BSOS)

Course Title Credits
Requirements
Lower Level requirements 18-19
Physical Geology
Calculus II
Elementary Calculus II
General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics
and Physics Laboratory Introduction
Fundamentals of Physics I
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Fundamentals of Soil Science
Historical Geology
Upper Level requirements 18-19
Principles of Ecology
or GEOG342
Introduction to Human Dimensions of Global Change
Advanced Geographical Environmental Systems
or GEOG345
Global Environmental Politics
Water: Science, Ethics, and Policy
Environmental Threats to Oceans and Coasts: Towards an Integrated Policy Response
Energy Resources: Science and Policy in the 21st Century
Biogeography and Environmental Change
Physical Meteorology
Global Climate Change: Past and Present
Internship
Techniques & Methods 19
Restricted Electives - Select 6 credits from one Area and 3 credits from the other 19
Area 1 - Physical and Biological Components
Area 2 - Human Dimensions
1

See ENSP website for list of approved courses in this category.

Land Use (BSOS)

Course Title Credits
Requirements
Lower-level focus: Choose one3-4
Development Geography: Environmental & Social Justice
Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Floods, and Fires
Fundamentals of Soil Science
Techniques and Methods 6
Introduction to Earth Observation Science
Geographic Information Systems
Application and Synthesis 6
Internship
Culture and Natural Resource Management
Restricted Electives (students must choose 8 courses, including at least 3 credits from each of the 5 Areas below) 122-24
Area 1 - Social/Cultural Dimensions (choose at least 1 course and 3 credits)
Area 2 - Technical Skills (choose at least 1 course and 3 credits)
Area 3 - Regional Dimensions (choose at least 1 course and 3 credits)
Area 4 - Ecological Dimensions (choose at least 1 course and 3 credits)
Area 5 - International Dimensions (choose at least 1 course and 3 credits)
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Marine and Coastal Management (BSOS)

Course Title Credits
Upper Level Requirements12
Introduction to the Blue Ocean
Introduction to the Blue Ocean
Environmental Threats to Oceans and Coasts: Towards an Integrated Policy Response
The Coastal Ocean
Wetland Ecology
Technical Requirements 6
Introduction to Earth Observation Science
Geographic Information Systems
Synthesis 6
Internship
Restricted Electives--Choose 5 courses. At least 2 courses must be from Area 1, and at least 1 course must be from Area 2: 115
Area 1 - Costal Science
Area 2 - Management
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Society and Environmental Issues (BSOS)

Course Title Credits
Requirements 28
Introduction to Sociology
Understanding Contemporary Social Problems - Frameworks for Critical Thinking and Strategies for Solutions
Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology
Sociological Theory
Scarcity and Modern Society
Social Stratification and Inequality
Select two:
Environmental Sociology
Principles of Organizations
Selected Topics in Sociology
Select one:
Sociological Social Psychology
Social Demography
Demographic Techniques
Family Demography
Independent Study in Sociology
Internship
Select one (GVPT):
International Political Relations
Introduction to Environmental Politics
Global Environmental Politics
Seminar in Advanced Topics in Environmental Policy Analysis
Restricted Electives (at least 9 credits must be at 300- or 400-level): 112
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (CMNS)

Course Title Credits
Requirements32-33
Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology
and Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory
Principles of Biology III - Organismal Biology
Principles of Genetics
Principles of Ecology
The Biology of Conservation and Extinction
Principles of Evolution
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Calculus II
Elementary Calculus II
Discrete Mathematics for Life Sciences
Restricted Electives (Choose 5 courses from an approved list) 115
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Environmental Geosciences and Restoration (CMNS)

Course Title Credits
Basic Sciences 12
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Calculus II
General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics
and Physics Laboratory Introduction
Principles of Physics
Upper Level Requirements 17
Principles of Ecology
Geomorphology
Groundwater
Watershed and Wetland Hydrology
Ecosystem Restoration
Internship
Areas of Depth (at least 5 classes from an approved list, inlcuding a minimum of 6 credits from each of two Areas, or a minimum of 9 credits in one Area) 115
Area 1. Techniques and Application
Area 2. Environmental Restoration
Area 3. Surficial Geology
Area 4. Deep-Earth Geology
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

Environmental Justice (SPHL)

Course Title Credits
Requirements
AASP101Public Policy and the Black Community3
EPIB301Epidemiology for Public Health Practice3
ENSP330Introduction to Environmental Law3
ENSP386Internship3
or MIEH309 Environmental Health Research
ENSP370Principles of Environmental Justice: Theory and Practice3
GEOG373Geographic Information Systems3
or ENSP305 Applied Spatial Analysis in Environmental Science and Policy
MIEH300A Public Health Perspective: Introduction to Environmental Health3
MIEH330Environmental Justice, Racism, and Environmental Health Disparities: How where you live can kill you3
MIEH331The Built Environment, Sustainability, and Public Health: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly3
MIEH400Introduction to Global Health3
SPHL100Foundations of Public Health3
URSP250The Sustainable City: Exploring Opportunities and Challanges3
Restricted Electives 112
Total Credits48
1

See ENSP website for list of approved electives.

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