Until now Knox College students who were interested in studying environmental science have been custom-building a curriculum through combining chemistry, biology, and earth science classes.
Those days are over as Knox is unveiling a new major in environmental science.
This comes following Knox’s announcement in March that they would begin offering Bachelor of Science degrees. Environmental science will be available as both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.
Knox already had a major in environmental studies but they say this new major clarifies the difference between the two areas of study.
On the college’s website it explains that environmental science focuses on scientific methods while environmental studies focuses on on policy and social science.
Katherine Adelsberger, Chair of the Earth Science department says that environmental studies would more look at topics like, “how do you value a tree”, while environmental science looks at “what is the climate doing to those trees.”
She says that a lot of students interested in the science side of studying the environment have ended up in a “major of another field.”
Adelsberger feels that studying environmental issues at Knox instead of a bigger university is advantageous because of the liberal arts school interconnectedness among departments.
A release from the college says both plans will funnel students into internships and funded research experiences.
This new environmental science major will make it easier for students to apply for graduate school without having to take additional classes.
