Our Mission
We provide a challenging and rigorous academic experience to multiple populations of Muhlenberg College students. First, students majoring in Environmental Science can pursue an interdisciplinary education firmly grounded in the natural sciences. Classroom, laboratory, and field experiences teach students to use objective science to assess, quantify and analyze Earth’s natural systems and study human impacts on natural environments. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are strengthened through investigations of environmental problems and their solutions. In addition to their work in the sciences, majors also take courses in politics, economics and the humanities to learn about the complex social context within which environmental scientists conduct their work. Opportunities to carry out independent research projects, serve as an intern in industry, advocacy and educational organizations, and study abroad, complement traditional classroom experiences and promote a practical understanding of Earth’s natural systems.
Second, we serve students who wish to combine and supplement their interest in environmental science with other majors as diverse as political science, economics, history, biology and theater by providing a minor in the field.
Third, we serve students who take environmental science courses as part of their majors in Sustainability and Public Health. Finally, we offer courses to students outside the sciences who take environmental science as part of their general liberal arts education at Muhlenberg. In all cases, the distinction between science and other ways of knowing are emphasized, objective, data-based evaluations of environmental problems are promoted, and connections among natural and human systems are explored. We strongly feel that by providing instruction in environmental science we can enhance environmental quality, improve decision making about resource utilization, increase environmental justice, and improve the lives of all. Finally, regardless of the reason they take our classes, we encourage and advocate for all students; but we especially strive to provide equal access to students from traditionally marginalized, underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups.
Learning goals
Students will:
1. Demonstrate problem-solving skills
2. Understand the scientific method and role that science plays in advancing knowledge about the universe
3. Demonstrate basic field and laboratory skills, including:
- how to design experiments to objectively ask questions about the natural world
- how to make measurements and calculate uncertainty
- how to take samples from water and soil
- how to interpret topographic and geologic maps
4. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, especially as they pertain to science
5. Understand fundamental concepts in environmental science, including:
- how nutrients are stored and cycled on earth
- how organisms interact with each other and their physical environments
- how organisms and environments affect / shape each other
- factors affecting availability of materials such as water, soil, and sources of energy
6. Understand basic principles of organismal biology and chemistry
7. Understand anthropogenic sources of stress, including:
- activities that release pollution into air, water, and soil
- habitat destruction and other contributions to extinction
8. Appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science
9. Learn to locate, scrutinize, and use scientific literature
10. Understand the social, political, and/or economic context affecting environmental science
11. How to practice safe laboratory procedures
12. Understand data collection, analysis and how scientific data are reported and interpreted
