Earth and Environmental Science (EESC)
The Earth & Environmental Science major provides graduates with a broad understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes that operate in and on the planet and how direct and indirect methods are used to examine, quantify and understand the structure, composition, and dynamics of the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. Graduates appreciate how humans and ecosystems interact with the dynamic Earth, and how human activities such as non-sustainable resource extraction have generated climate change, exacerbated natural hazards, and disrupted hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 35. Double majors may entail more course units.
Environmental Studies Program (ENVS)
The program in Environmental Studies is designed to provide students with the skills to understand and address contemporary environmental issues. The program draws from the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, policy and management to study complex issues of the environment and humans’ interaction with it. This multidisciplinary major consists of courses from several departments across the College and other schools at Penn, providing students with the skills and breadth of understanding they need for purposeful study in a concentration. Due to the interdisciplinary approach of the program, graduates go on to work in a variety of fields. Graduate go on to apply their skills to academic research and a broad range of careers, including environmental consulting, “green” finance, government, and education.
Concentrations in: