On this page:

• What is the new EPS Major and Minor all about?
• I think I want to major in EPS. What courses should I take? 
• Which courses can I take to help me decide if I want to major in EPS?
• Which courses could I take in the department if I have another major? 
• What kinds of jobs do graduates who majored in EPS have? 
• What types of special programs or internships are sponsored by the major?
• Can I major in EPS and still study abroad?   
• Is there any particular computer equipment and software that I should have?
• Are there any advanced courses being offered by EPS in the fall?
• What are the requirements for the major and minor?    

Q. What is the new EPS Major and Minor all about?
A. Environmental problems arise from the complex interactions between ecological and physical systems and the social, economic, political and cultural forces that shape the world in which we live. Finding solutions to environmental problems requires both well-trained policy makers and scientists, planners, resource managers, educators and other specialists who can understand how these systems interact, and who can develop solutions that draw from a variety of disciplines. To help meet this challenge, majors and minors in our interdisciplinary program will gain the necessary background and skills through a mixture of courses, internships and field studies, that will permit them to successfully promote local and global environmental sustainability.

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Q. I think I want to major in EPS. What courses should I take?
A. Besides your freshman seminar, language and/or English course, you might consider taking one of the two courses below, both core courses required for the major.

• EPS/GSC 1117 Environmental Geology (NSM) or
• GSC/EPS 1131 Environmental Problem Solving (NSM) or any 1000-level course offered that semester

Not only will they both provide you with an overview of the field, but will also fulfill your BLAR requirement for a natural science or math course. You can’t lose!

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Q. Which courses can I take to help me decide if I want to major in EPS?
A. Again, one of the best introductions to this area is either the introductory Environmental Problem Solving course or Environmental Geology. Both allow you to explore important issues and develop strategies to solve environmental problems.

If you are policy minded, you might also take the Introduction to Political Science followed by Environmental Policy. Or if you are science oriented, you might also take either an introductory biology (BIO 1111) or intro chemistry course.


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Q. Which courses could I take in the department if I have another major?
A. The EPS program offers a minor for those majoring in other fields. This course is a perfect complement for those already majoring in any of the sciences, in political science, but may also be attractive to those taking courses in philosophy, English, economics, history and physical education. In the past we have had students who have majored in all these fields and either minored or double majored with environmental biology, allowing them to go on in jobs that used the training of both disciplines ( i.e.. environmental economics, environmental law, environmental history and so on). 


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Q. What kinds of jobs do graduates who majored in EPS have?
A. The EPS program is new so we don’t have a long track record here. However the more narrowly defined Environmental Track in Biology has been around for over a decade. Students have gone on from this program to careers in:

• environmental policy & management ( Department of Natural Resources, EPA, urban planning, SOS),
• environmental research: marine biology and forestry,
• remediation of spoiled sites both national and international,
• resource management (in combination with dual majors in economics, computer science and policy),
• toxicology and consulting firms
• environmental education.

Other alumni have also gone to successful practices in law, professorship in environmental history, parasitology and so on.

We work individually with students selecting internships, research opportunities and courses which best fit their interests.


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Q. What types of special programs or internships are sponsored by the major?
A. We continuously look for opportunities for our students to participate in. In the recent past, our students have worked in the field for the Student Conservation Association, volunteered for the National Aquarium, animal rehabilitation stations, worked in a number of government and private research labs (Smithsonian, Ft. Detrick), worked in environmental consulting firms, marine field stations and so on.


Internships and volunteer activities are important for many reasons: they allow you to tap into a potential job network, give you experiences you can use in broadening your skills, and to get you into graduate or professional schools. We expect the great majority of our students to participate in at least one or more such experiences.


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Q. Can I major in EPS and still study abroad?
A. We truly encourage our students to take a semester abroad. Previous as well as current students have studied environmental issues and the ecology of Australia, Africa and San Salvador. A number of our students have also worked in beautiful national locations like Alaska and the Rockies. We will make every effort to find the program that best fits your interests.


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Q. Is there any particular computer equipment and software that I should have?
A. Currently there is no official 'school sanctioned' requirement for computers. No doubt, your life will be easier if you bring your own machine along with you. Obviously the more RAM it has, and ability to hang on peripherals the better. Also, the school is now investing in WIFI hotspots, so it would be helpful if you have a laptop, to add in a card which permits you to tap into such services.


However if you don't have a computer, don't despair — there are plenty of computer labs on campus! You might even wait to see what computers others have that work best in dorm environment before you decide on one.


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Q. Are there any advanced courses being offered by EPS this fall?
A. Besides Environmental Problem Solving and Environmental Geology, we are also offering this fall:

• BIO 2209 Environmental Health
• BIO 2217 Ecology (L)
• BIO 2234 Marine Biology (L)

The three courses all have Biology 1112 as a prerequisite or require permission of the instructor.

Also, there are a number of upper level Political Science offerings. See this link to decide which would be best for you to take: http://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/enviroscience/specializations.shtml

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For those in the Honors program we offer a new special topics course GS Thoreauvian Science.

Q. What are the requirements for the major and minor?
A. For this information see: http://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/enviroscience/specializations.shtml

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