ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AS AN ACADEMIC FIELD is only a few decades old, but the concept is ancient. We interact continuously with our surroundings, and we benefit deeply from understanding that interaction. But while the environment has always shaped human life and culture, we also shape the environment — and never more so than today, in an era of rapid technological change and population growth. The environmental studies program at Hamilton explores these complex connections through an interdisciplinary program that balances broad, practical groundwork and focused individual study. More ...
Academic Program
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
At Hamilton, student research is an essential part of the academic experience. It enables you to integrate what you have learned in the classroom into a broad, authoritative understanding of your field and its applications to real-world problems and issues. Environmental studies offers a broad range of research options, including field work and laboratory work, carried out independently or in collaboration with a faculty member.
Those majors who choose the natural sciences track have opportunities to join a fascinating variety of research outings. In recent years, students and professors in the geosciences have conducted expeditions not only to Antarctica but to Hawaii, Iceland, the Florida Keys, Colorado, the Pacific Northwest and the European Alps. They also do regular field work in Central New York and the nearby Adirondack mountains.
The College also provides substantial financial support for students who are interested in pursuing summer research. Many students present the results of their work at regional, national and international conferences. Some co-author scholarly papers and journal articles in collaboration with faculty partners and mentors.
THE SENIOR PROGRAM
The Senior Program is an integrating, culminating experience that draws on the knowledge and research skills you have developed in the first three years. At its heart is the senior project. The project is a detailed exploration of an environmental topic that culminates in a research paper and oral presentation. Majors plan and pursue this independent project under the close supervision of a faculty member and the program's advisory committee.
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RESOURCES
As an interdisciplinary field, the environmental studies program draws on the rich and diverse resources of the many disciplines and facilities at Hamilton that contribute to it. The College maintains extensive fossil and mineral collections that include the Oren Root Mineral Collection, one of the finest in the country. The geosciences, biology and chemistry programs that provide the natural sciences curriculum are housed in Hamilton's Science Center, which offers an array of tools that rival those of top graduate-level research institutions.
Among them: a sedimentology lab with particle size analyzer (laser optics) and magnetic susceptibility system; oceanographic instrumentation including a conductivity, temperature and transmissivity recorder; geochemistry facilities including X-ray diffraction and fluorescence instrumentation and total organic carbon analyzer; rock cutting and thin-section equipment; a complement of petrographic microscopes with photographic capabilities; hydrogeology equipment including a digital current meter, flow cells, groundwater sampling equipment, field chemical analysis system, well-testing equipment and a groundwater flow meter; and a computer array including Macintosh and IBM/NEC machines with a host of software and a digitizing table.
The broad interdisciplinary focus of the environmental studies major means that students develop their own course of study. To do so, each student works closely with a faculty advisor to plan individual coursework. The environmental studies core faculty is made up of accomplished teachers and scholars from seven different programs.
Hands-On Experiences
Environmental studies courses explore big ideas in small classes, where the emphasis is on intensive student-teacher interaction and hands-on training. Students learn proper techniques and problem-solving skills in even introductory courses.
First-Rate Facilities
Science-based courses in the program — in biology, chemistry and geosciences — are taught in Hamilton's new Science Center. Undergraduates have ready access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities available only to graduate students at many schools.
Complementary Minor
A minor in environmental studies is a fascinating, practical complement to almost any major. The flexible curriculum allows you to adapt the five-course minor to a wide range of disciplines and interests, from philosophy and religion to political activism to scientific research.
The broad interdisciplinary focus of the environmental studies major means that students develop their own course of study. To do so, each student works closely with a faculty advisor to plan individual coursework. The environmental studies core faculty is made up of accomplished teachers and scholars from seven different programs.
Hands-On Experiences
Environmental studies courses explore big ideas in small classes, where the emphasis is on intensive student-teacher interaction and hands-on training. Students learn proper techniques and problem-solving skills in even introductory courses.
First-Rate Facilities
Science-based courses in the program — in biology, chemistry and geosciences — are taught in Hamilton's new Science Center. Undergraduates have ready access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities available only to graduate students at many schools.
Complementary Minor
A minor in environmental studies is a fascinating, practical complement to almost any major. The flexible curriculum allows you to adapt the five-course minor to a wide range of disciplines and interests, from philosophy and religion to political activism to scientific research.
The broad interdisciplinary focus of the environmental studies major means that students develop their own course of study. To do so, each student works closely with a faculty advisor to plan individual coursework. The environmental studies core faculty is made up of accomplished teachers and scholars from seven different programs.
Hands-On Experiences
Environmental studies courses explore big ideas in small classes, where the emphasis is on intensive student-teacher interaction and hands-on training. Students learn proper techniques and problem-solving skills in even introductory courses.
First-Rate Facilities
Science-based courses in the program — in biology, chemistry and geosciences — are taught in Hamilton's new Science Center. Undergraduates have ready access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities available only to graduate students at many schools.
Complementary Minor
A minor in environmental studies is a fascinating, practical complement to almost any major. The flexible curriculum allows you to adapt the five-course minor to a wide range of disciplines and interests, from philosophy and religion to political activism to scientific research.
The broad interdisciplinary focus of the environmental studies major means that students develop their own course of study. To do so, each student works closely with a faculty advisor to plan individual coursework. The environmental studies core faculty is made up of accomplished teachers and scholars from seven different programs.
Hands-On Experiences
Environmental studies courses explore big ideas in small classes, where the emphasis is on intensive student-teacher interaction and hands-on training. Students learn proper techniques and problem-solving skills in even introductory courses.
First-Rate Facilities
Science-based courses in the program — in biology, chemistry and geosciences — are taught in Hamilton's new Science Center. Undergraduates have ready access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities available only to graduate students at many schools.
Complementary Minor
A minor in environmental studies is a fascinating, practical complement to almost any major. The flexible curriculum allows you to adapt the five-course minor to a wide range of disciplines and interests, from philosophy and religion to political activism to scientific research.
AFTER HAMILTON
Hamilton graduates who concentrated in Environmental Studies are pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including:
Energy Markets Data Analyst, Nuenergen
Environmental Director, Scenic Hudson, Inc.
Policy Coordinator, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Senior Associate, Investment Solutions, UBS
Vice Chairman, Training Program, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
