Institute for the Environment and Sustainability, CAS

Established in 1969 as the Institute of Environmental Sciences, the Institute on Environmental Science began as a Master of Environmental Science (M.En.) degree to meet "the urgent need for a new program which is truly interdisciplinary in structure … and which contains a curriculum geared to train a modern environmental scientist equipped with the tools and philosophy to cope with new problems as they arise." In 2010, the Institute Environmental Science was renamed the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability to reflect its new role as an umbrella institute for undergraduate and graduate education and research on the environment and sustainability at �� University.

Our Mission

The mission of the Institute for the Environment & Sustainability is to educate students as professionals and global citizens through interdisciplinary programs in environmental science and sustainability, and to provide leadership in areas of research and outreach that address environmental problems and promote a more sustainable society.

Willeke Lecture Series 2024

Dark Waters: Behind the Environmental Legal Battle Exposing Corporate Cover-Up

Robert Bilot, Environmental Attorney from the landmark PFAS court case depicted in the film 'Dark Waters'

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 5:30 p.m. | Harry T. Wilks Theater, Armstrong Student Center

Robert Bilott is an outstanding environmental lawyer, currently based in Cincinnati, who has uncovered the worldwide impact of contamination by a group of “forever chemicals” known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that accumulate in the environment and in living things, including people.

Our Co-Majors Will Build a Better Tomorrow

The term "co-major" indicates that students must complete another, primary major in one of the divisions at �� University. There is no specific degree designation for the co-major; students receive the degree designation of their primary major. Completion of the co-major satisfies the �� Plan thematic sequence requirement. The Institute for the Environment and Sustainability offers 3 co-majors:

The goal of an Energy Co-major is to provide students with core interdisciplinary training in energy that complements their disciplinary majors in engineering, natural sciences, architecture, business, and the social sciences.

The Environmental Science Co-major emphasizes earth science and life science approaches to understanding environmental patterns and processes.

The Food Systems & Food Studies Co-major provides an interdisciplinary examination of food, exploring the complex path food follows from farm to fork and beyond.

The Sustainability Co-major emphasizes human-nature interaction in understanding environmental patterns and processes.

Global Perspectives on Sustainability Minor

This interdisciplinary minor introduces students to the foundations of environmental sustainability and its complexities, with an emphasis on the approaches taken by people living under different geographic and economic conditions. Of special importance in this minor is increasing student understanding of the issues and problems faced by the majority of global citizens who live in less industrial or less economically developed parts of the world.

Master of Environmental Science (M.En.) Degree

The Master of Environmental Science (M.En.) is a professional degree program that emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to environmental problem-solving and sustainable practices. The program is designed to prepare students, upon graduation, for immediate employment as an environmental professional.

Our Program Emphasizes

Problem-solving skills
�� training
Teamwork and management
Effective communication
Quantitative analysis

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Resources and Opportunities for Our Students

Many of our students take advantage of the numerous travel opportunities available at �� University.

In the summer of 2023, we offer students the opportunity for hands-on learning by working alongside students and professors from the University of Zambia and NGOs to conduct water-resource research aimed at increasing access to clean drinking water.

Lacawac Environmental Research and Education Consortium lists various internship opportunities for undergraduate and some graduate students studying biology, environmental sciences, ecology and similar majors.

�� University Research Experience for Undergraduates

The �� University REU program in Ecology and Environment is a summer research program supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Our program is an exciting opportunity for 12 undergraduate students to actively engage in a 10-week collaborative research project.