For students looking for the more environmental side of science, UB will be offering a new major in the fall.
After student demand for a more scientific-driven environmental studies program, Dr. Mary Alice Coffroth, a professor of ecology in the Geology Department at UB, realized the need at UB for an Environmental Sciences major and answered the call.
"Several faculty decided that there was a need for environmental sciences rather than environmental studies at UB," Coffroth said. "The idea is to satisfy a need at UB, but also incoming students and people who look at UB and want to do environmental science."
UB has taken up the name "Environmental Geosciences" for the new major due to a political naming conflict with Syracuse's School of Environmental Sciences and Forestry (ESF). The curriculum, however, is not going to be any different than if it were to be called "Environmental Sciences," according to Coffroth.
It appears that despite the name difference, UB is still going to become a competitor for ESF. The Environmental Geosciences major will have many similarities in terms of course load to UB's Biological Sciences major including course requirements in calculus, chemistry, physics, and biology.
In addition to those core requirements, Environmental Geosciences majors will have to take courses in ethics, statistics, geography, and geology, in addition to other related electives. Students can also choose one of three concentrations: Ecology and the Environment, Water and the Environment, or Environmental Monitoring and Analysis.
"UB will give a more broad spectrum to the environmental sciences. A better background and sounder understanding of the environment," said Matt Candeias, a senior Biological Sciences major with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Science. "I just wish I was here to take advantage of it. I wish it had come sooner."
Coffroth acknowledges the students who feel ripped off because UB did not have an Environmental Sciences major until now when it is too late for them, but unfortunately there is nothing that can be done for them now. "They are graduating now and we are hoping to get this information out in time for younger students who want to be able to do this," Coffroth said.
There will be an informational session on the new major on Friday, April 2 to increase student awareness in 434 Cooke Hall at 4 p.m.
This session will include a talk from Dr. Mark Eakin from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration titled "Hot Sour Soup: A Bad Mix for Coral Reefs." Following this there will be a reception and information session given on the new B.S. in Environmental Geociences coming to UB.
Coffroth will also have a booth in the student union on Thursday, April 1 at the Sustainability Bazaar.
"It's exciting because there are a lot of environmental issues on campus, in addition to things like the SA Environmental Club and UBGreen. UB is taking a leadership role," Coffroth said.
Dr. Coffroth will be the advisor for this new major. She is hoping that the students who decide to major in it will feel comfortable and know what they are doing. "We want the students to have a sense of community," Coffroth said. "It's filling a niche that isn't here."
Hopefully the new Environmental Geosciences will increase diversity within the university because it will attract students to UB that normally might not have come here.
UB establishing environmental geosciences major
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