Environmental Studies (New program to begin in 2013-2014 academic year)

The Honors Tutorial College program in Environmental Studies offers students a unique opportunity to explore nature-society relations in a highly interdisciplinary environment, drawing on faculty perspectives from the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, public health, physical and natural sciences, engineering, and communications. The goal of the program is to cast light on the complex nature of the environmental problems that confront us, as well as the wide range of choices available as we plan for a more sustainable future. The tutorial program in Environmental Studies prepares talented and highly motivated students for graduate study or for an environmental career in a variety of fields and disciplines.

Requirements

Eight tutorials are required over the course of the four-year program. Students complete a Senior Thesis under the direction of a faculty mentor and approved by the director of Studies (DOS) and the Dean of the Honors Tutorial College. In addition, students are expected to take a minimum of six upper-division environmental courses, including one each from the program’s core areas” humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences. These courses are selected in accordance with an academic plan agreed upon by the student, his or her academic mentor, and the DOS. Additional courses in cognate fields are recommended.

Tutorials

Students enroll in one tutorial per semester, including two fixed-content seminar-style tutorials. The first tutorial, Introduction to Environmental Studies, is taken during the student’s first semester in residence. The second, Sustainable Societies, is taken in the second semester of junior year. During their fourth year, students use their final two tutorials to conduct original research and write a thesis. The remaining four tutorials are electives that are selected in consultation with the student’s mentor and the program DOS. To ensure that students acquire the necessary breadth of knowledge that such a major demands, no more than one tutorial elective may be taken from the same department. With respect to tutorial electives and classes, the options available to students reflect the diverse teaching and research interests of faculty from several colleges and dozens of departments across campus.

Eligibility

Applicants are selected by the DOS and an Environmental Studies Program Admissions Committee in consultation with the Dean of the Honors Tutorial College. In addition to a superior academic record (minimum 3.5 GPA, a minimum score of 30 on the ACT or 1300 on the SAT, and a class rank in the top 10%), committee members look for students who are highly motivated and exhibit the potential to conduct independent research. An essay and a personal interview with the DOS are required for entry as a freshman. Two letters of recommendation are also required. Although this is a four-year program, consideration will be given to applications of first-semester Ohio University freshman.

Evaluation and Grading

With respect to tutorials, students are graded on the basis of their oral and written performance, as well as the development of their “critical thinking” skills. While the exact grading criteria may vary from one tutor to the next, these criteria are clearly articulated in the syllabus created by each individual tutor. In other academic settings (e.g., classes and seminars) students will adhere to the requirements set forth by individual instructors.

Applications

Will begin accepting applications for the 2013-2014 academic year. The deadline for applications for admission is December 1st. Interviews are in January.

Further Information

Dr. Geoff Buckley
Department of Geography and Program in Environmental Studies
Ohio University
Clippinger Labs 109
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-9846
buckleyg@ohio.edu

Also visit the Environmental Studies Program.