Environmental Studies/Geology

Environmental Studies Overview 

Since technological advances in our society have been accompanied by many life-threatening effects upon our physical surroundings, it has become a good citizen's responsibility to understand major environmental concepts. Some of us will pursue careers on behalf of the environment, trying to determine our species' suitable place within it.

The Environmental Studies major offers a multidisciplinary background and encourages looking at environmental problems from several points of view. Environmental projects and field experiences augment classroom learning.

Students have the option of choosing an Environmental Studies major with either a natural science, social science, or environmental science emphasis. Environmental Studies majors strongly interested in environmental careers or graduate training are encouraged to also complete requirements for a major or minor in a traditional academic discipline. Many of the same courses will meet the requirements of both majors.

The primary missions of the Environmental Studies Program at Alfred University are to educate our students and to engage in research that furthers our understanding of the natural environment. These two activities are mutually supportive.

Our approach toward teaching and research is to integrate the several disciplines in the natural and social sciences and humanities that make up the field. We practice the team approach taken in modern environmental problem solving in both teaching and research. Our students learn to tackle environmental problems as a team of experts, each contributing their own specialty to the group effort.

We use contemporary methods of "learning by doing" and team-teaching to provide our students with a multi-faceted, practical foundation that they can build on with advanced study or work experience. We strive to provide the latest technologies for our students, and orient our curriculum in such a way as to give them experience using contemporary procedures, approaches, techniques, and instruments. We expect our students to graduate with a good understanding of theoretical aspects of our field and the ability to apply that understanding to practical situations. Our goal is to prepare students for rigorous graduate programs and/or to be successful in a competitive job market.

Our faculty engage in scholarly activities that lead to a better understanding of the environment and the effects that humans have on the environment. We often work on research projects in teams and expect our students to be involved in research with us whenever possible, depending on the nature of specific research projects.

Geology Overview 

Studying geology helps students to gain an appreciation for their planet, its history, and the processes which operate within it. Students may select courses for enjoyment, choose courses in conjunction with other studies, or take courses in preparation for careers in geology. The major provides a background useful for employment or further studies in geology or a related field such as environmental studies, physical geography, planning, engineering, law or business. A geology major includes an introductory
level course; required courses in structural geology, surficial geology, mineralogy and petrology; advanced studies; and field experience.

The Geology Program’s mission is to provide students in all geoscience courses (major or non-major) with an appreciation and understanding of the earth’s physical environment (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere) and the interconnectedness between these systems. Because there are many aspects of the earth and its history that cannot be directly observed, part of our mission is to instill in our students an understanding of how the present models explaining the structure, composition, and history of the earth were derived.

Students in geology courses will gain basic knowledge and skills that will allow them to pursue professions in a variety of areas of geoscience, including teaching, graduate school, industry, government, and private consulting. 

When appropriate, we use our expertise to benefit the local community and undertake research projects with our students that will have a positive impact on the local environment.

Note: Nearby Alfred State College offers a number of applied courses in a variety of environmental areas. With permission, selections from among these offerings may be taken through cross-registration agreement. Advisors can assist in such course selections; in some cases these may substitute from courses listed below.