Environmental Science

Chair Dr. Francis A. Galgano Jr., Chair, Dept of Geography and the Environment
Office: Mendel G-67-A
Website: http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/geoenv/
Concentration: Dr. Lisa J. Rodrigues, Director
Website: http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/envstuds/

Environmental programs at Villanova University include the: Environmental Science major, Bachelor of Science; the Environmental Studies major, Bachelor of Arts; and the Environmental Studies Concentration. The Department of Geography and the Environment administers each academic program.

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science major (133 credit hours): Environmental science is the study of interactions among physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment. Environmental Science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. Students enrolled in this new and dynamic major will learn how to monitor the quality of the environment, interpret the impact of human actions on ecosystems, and develop strategies for restoring natural systems. In addition, students will learn how to help planners develop and construct buildings, transportation corridors, and utilities that protect water resources and reflect efficient and beneficial land use. This is a highly interdisciplinary major, thus, students will work in multi-disciplinary teams to analyze complex environmental problems, examine environmental laws and policy decisions that require specific environmental protocols, and develop methods to promote public awareness of environmental problems.
For more information about the Environmental Science major, see our website: www.villanova.edu/artsci/geoenv

Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies major (124 credit hours): The Environmental Studies major focuses on the systematic study of human interaction with the natural environment. Today’s environmental problems have evolved into highly complex and interdisciplinary issues involving political, economic, social, as well as physical and biological considerations. Modern environmental studies programs include the examination of urban and natural environments. Society needs educated people capable of addressing current and future environmental problems from a holistic approach, one that emphasizes linkages between human and natural systems. These may include urban environments, land use planning and management, environmental pollution, sustainability, or economic growth and its impact on natural resources. These relationships must be analyzed and understood in order to address successfully environmental problems at local, regional, and global scales.
For more information about the Environmental Studies major, see our website: www.villanova.edu/artsci/geoenv

The Environmental Studies Concentration: The Concentration promotes an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues through coursework and independent study/internship experiences. Several requirements of the Concentration also fulfill requirements in the student’s major and/or the Core Curriculum. The Concentration is open to students from all colleges and all majors.

Courses are subdivided into four categories. Students take all of the courses in

Category A (required): including GEV 1050, GEV 1051, GEV 4000, PHI 2121, an independent study course (internship or senior thesis or independent /group project) in the student’s major, and one course each in statistics (e.g., MAT 1230, 1235, 1250, 2310, 4310 or BIO 3105) and calculus (several possible).

In addition, students take at least one course in each of three categories:

Category B-NATURAL SCIENCE AND GEOGRAPHICAL TECHNIQUES: (BIO 3255, GEV 1500, 4050, 4101, 4250, 4300),

Category C-POLICY AND MANAGEMENT: (GEV 5100, 5200, 5300, ECO 1104, PSC 2600, 2625, 3800), and

Category D-ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES: (GEV 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, HIS 2276, PHI 2160, 2430, PJ 2200, SOC 3750). Occasionally, other courses (e.g., courses taken overseas) may be used to fulfill requirements by permission of Director.

A modified curriculum is available for students in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Please see the Director and visit the website for advice on completing the Concentration.