https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/environmental-sciences-and-society
Department Chair: Evan Larson
Office: 254 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.6139
E-mail: larsonev@uwplatt.edu
Administrative Assistant: Jane Kuhl
Office: 249 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.1618
E-mail: kuhlja@uwplatt.edu
About the Department
The Department of Environmental Sciences & Society is vibrant and growing. Our faculty and staff work hard to cultivate a positive, supportive and rigorous environment that catalyzes student learning and professional development. We offer degree and curricular options that prepare students for meaningful work promoting beautiful, diverse, just, and resilient cultures and ecosystems. Through hands-on, field-based, and research-infused coursework, our students build practical knowledge, high-demand skills, and a reflective perspective ideally suited for work in the complex spheres of conservation, land stewardship, science education, environmental research, or other advanced studies.
Majors
Environmental Science and Conservation, B.S.
The Environmental Science and Conservation B.S. degree provides students broad training in physical, environmental, geospatial, and social sciences to prepare for work in a range of environmental fields. Through a dynamic curriculum that includes numerous field-based courses, hands-on and applied learning, undergraduate research, and opportunities to travel and study domestically and abroad, students will gain experience that will prepare them to immediately enter their preferred career field and/or pursue a graduate degree in which they are able to effectively address and solve current and future environmental problems.
Students majoring in Environmental Science and Conservation are encouraged to pursue a Certificate of Integrated Liberal Arts offered through the Helios Program to help focus their general education coursework on a theme directly related to their major program of study.
Science Education, B.S.
If you have a passion for science and technology and see teaching in your future, the Science Education B.S. degree program will give you the skills you need to obtain your goals. The curriculum offers opportunities to build a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics. You’ll put theory into practice in our modern labs and gain hands-on experience with instruments that support faculty-student research activities. Plus, our nationally recognized internship and student teaching opportunities will make you a stand-out candidate to potential employers. The Science Education major is designed to prepare students for natural sciences certification in grades 4 through 12. Students not interested in teaching should consult an academic advisor before selecting this major.
Minors
Our department supports several minors that help enrich your major field of study and equip you with specific skills and a breadth of expertise that will ensure you are competitive in today's job market. These programs allow you to showcase your talents and experiences on your transcript to help catch the eye of future employers or graduate school advisors.
- Environmental Science - An ideal minor for anyone working in a related field where expertise in environmental science will help advance your work, such as Biology, Environmental Engineering, Criminal Justice, and more.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Expertise in GIS is relevant for nearly any field of study. This minor showcases your fluency with GIS, related technologies, and spatial thinking and is a key highlight for nearly any major offered at UW-Platteville.
- Geography - A minor in Geography is an ideal step toward graduate study, as most U.S. research programs in paleoecology, paleoclimate, and social justice are housed in departments that are connected with geography.
- Natural Science - This minor is available only for Education majors and will help highlight your expertise in science.
- Social and Environmental Justice - Build your understanding of the complex and interconnected social dimensions of environmental issues. This is an ideal minor for anyone interested in work with non-profit and non-governmental organizations or for those who are interested in improving their ability to advocate for changes that advance the sustainability of our society.
Certificates
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Highlight your geospatial knowledge and skills with this certificate focused on applied GIS techniques.
- Social and Environmental Justice - Build knowledge and understanding in the social aspects of environmental issues.
Faculty and Lecturers
Additional information about the Faculty and Lecturers below may be found in the Faculty and Academic Staff section of this catalog.
Dev, Laura L.
Dornak, L. Lynnette
Larson, Evan
Underwood, Christopher A.
Valiga, James P.