University Expands Environmental Studies Program With New Major
Ole Miss bolsters environmental offerings to meet growing student interest, job demand
OXFORD, Miss - The University of Mississippi is set to launch a new degree program in environmental studies this fall, offering a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues from multiple perspectives.
The new major is designed to give students a well-rounded understanding of environmental issues by blending knowledge from different areas, such as the political, social and psychological aspects of human-environment interactions; the science behind ecosystems and environmental change; and how the environment has shaped history, philosophy, religion, culture and art.
"A degree in environmental studies has been something that has been talked about for quite some time," said Donald Dyer, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and distinguished professor of modern languages. "We're interested in developing new programs that we think we should have always had, or certainly programs we think will be very appealing to incoming students."
Ole Miss has offered an undergraduate minor in environmental studies since 2009.
"We are thrilled that the University of Mississippi can now offer an interdisciplinary major in environmental studies to the many students we know are concerned about the world around us and want to work toward building a better future for our planet," said Deanna K. Kreisel, associate professor of English and co-director of the university's environmental studies program.
The new program will begin accepting students in August. Students who complete this major will earn a Bachelor of Arts, which can open the doors to many different opportunities, tailoring their education to their career goals.
A few potential career pathways for students completing this degree program include:
- Environmental or conservation science
- Natural resource management
- Environmental law and public policy
- Urban and regional planning
- Management of environment-related nonprofit organizations
- Teaching, particularly in science education at the K-12 level.
Students in Steve Brewer's Ecology of Plant Communities class visit a tall-grass prairie for field study. Submitted photo
Dyer expects that several students in the minor program will switch their majors to environmental studies after the program is introduced. Based on conversations at college fairs and other recruitment events, he also anticipates that 5-10 students per year will choose environmental studies as their major.
According to Unity Environmental University, jobs in environmental science are in demand due to the increased effects of climate change.
Momentum has been building to elevate the environmental studies program to a major, Dyer said. The effort got a boost from a significant donation from alumnus Steven B. King, of St. Louis, which funds a tenure-track faculty position.
"When you do environmental studies, you get into a lot of policy, and students need to understand that aspect of it," Dyer said.
Ishana Ratan joins the faculty in August as an assistant professor of political science and environmental studies.
"She walks in the door with a deep interest in renewable energy investment and development, along with unusually strong connections to other scholars in the field," said John Bruce, chair and associate professor of political science.
"Students increasingly see the interconnectedness of politics, policy and the world around them. Being able to add courses in political science that serve environmental studies gives students additional opportunities to explore and understand these connections."
Top: Biology professor Steve Brewer (back, right) takes his Ecology of Plant Communities class to a cypress swamp for field work. The class is part of the university's environmental studies program, which will become an academic degree program this fall. Submitted photo