https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/environmental-sciences-and-society
Department Chair: Evan Larson
Office: 254 Gardner Hall
Phone: 608.342.6139
Email: larsonev@uwplatt.edu
About the Department
The Department of Environmental Sciences and Society at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville offers interdisciplinary programs that integrate natural sciences, social sciences, and applied technologies to address complex environmental challenges and pursue opportunities to support a sustainable and vibrant society. Students develop a strong foundation in Earth processes, ecological and cultural systems, the social and environmental aspects of sustainability, and geospatial analysis while gaining practical experience through fieldwork, laboratory investigations, research opportunities, community-engaged projects, and hands-on land stewardship activities. Friendly and supportive faculty and staff will push you to develop your critical thinking, data literacy, and problem-solving skills while offering the support you need to thrive as you explore the interactions between humans and the environment.
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of environmentally focused careers in land stewardship, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, private industry, and graduate or professional study. The department’s curriculum equips students with the scientific knowledge, technical skills, and societal context needed to make informed decisions and contribute to sustainable solutions at local, regional, and global scales.
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 Core General Education Requirement coursework on a theme directly related to their major program of study.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) of the Environmental Science and Conservation Major:
- Demonstrate understanding of Earth as a place of fundamentally interconnected social, cultural, and ecological actors and relationships;
- Comprehend and apply the integral concepts of ecological and social resilience, ecosystem services, the “land ethic,” ecosystem restoration, and sustainability;
- Identify, define, and explain relationships between human and environmental systems from local to global scales;
- Examine and explain the ethical and historical context of social disparities, especially concerning race, gender, and socioeconomic status, in relation to environmental issues;
- Use the techniques, skills, and modern tools necessary to collect and analyze environmental data;
- Apply quantitative techniques to describe and evaluate diversity in human and environmental systems;
- Synthesize and communicate research results to answer questions about the past, present, and future of the human and physical environment;
- Appraise and contribute ideas and solutions to local, regional, national, and global environmental problems, and;
- Articulate a thoughtful, creative, and ethical perspective that promotes civil discourse among corporate, public, and governmental stakeholders to advance the sustainability of our society and planet.
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 - The Environmental Science minor provides students with an interdisciplinary foundation in the biological, physical, and social dimensions of environmental systems. Through coursework spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, and environmental social science, students gain an understanding of how natural processes and human actions interact to shape the environment and the role of stewardship in supporting diverse and resilient landscapes. Flexible core and elective options enable students to tailor the minor to their interests, making this degree an excellent complement to majors across campus.
- 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.
- 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
- Fire Stewardship - Showcase your credentials and experience working with fire to promote diverse and resilient landscapes and ecosystems
- 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.