Students and faculty in the ES program investigate the interrelationships among cultural traditions, social change and institutions, and the physical and biological environment in which we live. Because of their increasing complexity, emerging environmental issues require knowledge, methods, and responses that flow from many disciplines. Hence, the program depends heavily on an appropriately balanced understanding of many perspectives drawn from the natural and social sciences, humanities, arts, and pre-professional programs.

The Environmental Studies Program now includes a major with two tracks and a minor. The Social and Cultural Perspectives track of the ES major is well-suited for students interested in literature, journalism, education, sustainable development, policy and law, social service, public health, and resource management, whereas the Environmental Science track is better suited for students interested in careers that require an in-depth understanding of the scientific principles underlying environmental issues. The Environmental Studies minor is interdisciplinary and designed for both students who are interested in using it as part of their preparation for an environment-oriented career and for students who want to have a better understanding of environmental issues generally.