Environmental Science

Water pollution, ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, toxic waste and many other existing environmental problems are caused by human activities. The same technology that has improved health, longevity and general living conditions is altering the world around us. An important responsibility that we have for today and for the future is to balance human needs with the preservation of a functional biosphere. Our existence depends on proper conservation of the environment. To achieve this, we must understand not only the causes of ecological change, but also the complex interactions among the various components of the biosphere. Approaching these challenges requires expertise in environmental monitoring and assessment, determination of appropriate regulations, policy implementation, and technological advances to minimize future impacts, and the education of new scientists and the public. Just as technology may create problems, it is important to realize that it can also solve them. The Environmental Science program aims to provide students with a strong technological and scientific background for understanding and addressing the environmental challenges we face.