Environmental resource management major moves to environment and natural resource institute
September
28, 2006
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The environmental resource management major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has been joined with the college's newly created Environment and Natural Resources Institute to expose students to the cutting-edge interdisciplinary education, research and outreach focus of the institute.
Formed more than three decades ago, the environmental resource management major was one of the first dedicated environmental science programs offered in Pennsylvania. Since then it has been preparing students to successfully and creatively analyze, manage and protect the environmental resources of Pennsylvania, the nation and the world. An interdisciplinary, science-based curriculum designed for students who want to use problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills to address environmental and resource management issues, the major has evolved into one of the nation's leading environmental science programs.
The merger will provide a new foundation for continued excellence and leadership in environmental science education, according to institute director Jim Shortle, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Economics.
"We are extremely pleased that the environmental resource management program will be merged with Environment and Natural Resources Institute," he says. "A primary goal in the creation of the institute was to provide a leadership and management structure to increase the visibility, stature and impact of environmental science education in the College of Agricultural Sciences. The merger is a major step in realizing this goal."
Robert Steele, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, believes the merger will pay big dividends for students. "The college's Environment and Natural Resources Institute is involved with a broad range of environmental issues, such as new nutrient and renewable fuels initiatives," he says. "Our environmental resource management students will benefit from exposure to the outreach focus of the institute."
Rob Shannon, associate professor of agricultural engineering and coordinator of the environmental resource management major, is pleased that for the first time in the program's long history, it is now aligned with a collegewide institute dedicated to environmental issues.
"As an alumnus and coordinator of the environmental resource management program, I know that our students graduate to great environmental positions in private, public and nonprofit organizations," he says. "This new affiliation lays the groundwork for ERM students to have access to an even wider scope of environmental research, internship and career opportunities."
The environmental resource management curriculum is three-tiered, beginning with foundation courses in biology, chemistry, math and physics. Students then take a series of supporting environmental courses such as environmental law, natural resource economics and pollution impacts on ecosystems. The third tier of courses provides students with the opportunity to specialize by choosing an approved minor or an 18-credit specialization specific to one area of the environment.
Minors and specializations include watersheds and water resources, soil resources, geographic information systems, energy and air pollution, ecology, hazardous waste management, environmental engineering and others.
According to Shannon, the environmental resource major is great for students who want to experience hands-on learning through field- and lab-based resource-management courses. "They develop and apply science-based solutions to issues regarding environmental protection and resolve conflicting issues concerning sustainable management of natural resources," he says. "If a student wants a career in conservation, restoration, pollution prevention and remediation, he or she should consider majoring in environmental resource management."
EDITORS: Contact Jim Shortle at 814-865-7657 or by e-mail at jss15@psu.edu.
Writer/Editor
Jeff Mulhollem
Phone: 814-863-2719
E-mail: jjm29@psu.edu