Environmental Studies, a new interdisciplinary program, will focus on issues such as climate change, water pollution, loss of biodiversity and future energy resources. Students will identify environmental problems, and analyze the complex interactions of human population and the earth. Two new courses will be added to the curriculum — Energy Resources and Weather and Climate.

Solutions to environmental problems will be analyzed in the context of sustainable development — development that encourages economic growth within a healthy environment. Students will complete the program with a capstone class involving a community service learning project with an environmental component.

The program includes a one-year environmental science technical certificate and a two-year associate degree. Certificate holders are likely to work with engineers and scientists. Students who chose the two-year program can transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree. They would likely work on water quality, air pollution, asbestos removal, compliance or remediation in some kind of engineering firm.