Environmental Studies

Assistant Professor Scott Hardy (Department Chair) and Assistant Professor Mona Becker. Affiliated Professors: Claycombe, Leahy, Neal, and H. Smith; Affiliated Associate Professors: Jakoby, Marx, and Semu; Affiliated Assistant Professors: Jacobs and McMillan. Affiliated Adjuncts: Lewis.

Areas of particular teaching interest: Professor Becker: environmental science/geology, geochemistry, and climatology; Professor Hardy: environmental policy, natural resource management, and watershed management; Professor Jacobs: marine science and invertebrate biology; Professor Leahy: comparative politics of Western Europe, developing and communist nations, methodology of comparative politics; Professor McMillan: botany, ecology, and biodiversity; Professor Marx: physics education research, energy; Professor Neal: judicial process, political theory, and American political behavior; Professor Semu: globalization and international development, urban studies; Professor Smith: state and local governments, public administration, national and Maryland elections;

Specializations in the ENV Major

All ENV students are required to complete six core courses, which are listed under “Courses for Environmental Studies”. Students majoring in ENV then choose their area of specialization from three program tracks including: (1) Environmental Policy and Management, (2) Environmental Science – Biology, or (3) Environmental Science – Chemistry.

Completion of six core courses also serves as the requirements for the Minor in Environmental Studies.

Internships

McDaniel College’s location in the greater Washington-Baltimore region allows us to offer a number of valuable internship opportunities through government and consulting agencies. We also hope to encourage students to take part in the institution’s Washington Partnership Internship Program. Additionally, there are many opportunities for students to take part in internationally based courses and internships, for example, the Field Studies Program, SIT and the Political Science Semester in Washington, D.C. (either through the American University or through George Washington University).

Honors in Environmental Studies

Honors in ENV will be awarded to graduating seniors who have earned at least at 3.50 grade point average in all courses take in the major and who are recommended by the Department. Recommendation is based on the evaluation of a guided research or internship project completed and presented by the student in their senior year. Students must discuss guidelines with their advisor.

National Honors:

The Green Leaf National Honor Society is a national honor society established to recognize and reward the brightest students throughout the country who are studying some aspect of the natural environment as college undergraduates. Juniors with a 3.75 overall GPA and seniors with a 3.50 overall GPA may apply to the Green Leaf National Honor Society. All applicants must submit, along with the application form available from the Environmental Studies Program, an official copy of their current transcripts, and two letters of recommendation, a one-page resume, and a two to three page personal statement.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

Environmental Studies Minor