Concentration Information
(Select a link below to view the appropriate section)
- Information for Freshmen
- Requirements
- Advising
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Required courses
- Environmental Science and Public Policy 10.
- Two half-courses in biology: one chosen from: OEB 10, OEB 53, Life Sciences 1a or Life Sciences 1b. AND OEB 55. (Students with Biology Advanced Placement may petition to be exempted from one of the introductory level Biological Sciences courses by substituting a suitable higher level course.)
- Two half-courses in mathematics or statistics to be chosen from Mathematics 1a and 1b; or Mathematics 1b plus Mathematics 19a, 20 or 21a; or Mathematics 1b plus Statistics 100 or 102; or Mathematics 1b plus Applied Mathematics 21a; or Mathematics 19a plus Statistics 100 or 102; or Mathematics 19a and 19b; or Applied Mathematics 21a and 21b; or Mathematics 21a and 21b.
- Physical Sciences 1.
- An advanced course in the physical sciences, one chosen from Chemistry 17, Chemistry 20 or Engineering Sciences 164, or Physics 11a plus Physics 11b.
- Two half-courses in Environmental Science/Engineering: EPS 5, and EPS 7, EPS 8 or ES 6.
- Two half-courses in economics: one half-course in microeconomics and Economics 1661. (Students may satisfy the microeconomics requirement by taking Social Analysis 10, a full course. The course may be divided with credit, in which case students mayuse the first term to satisfy the requirement. The second term of Social Analysis 10 may count as an elective within ESPP.)
- Environmental Science and Public Policy (ESPP) 78.
- One half-course junior seminar, ESPP 90.
- Additional half-courses approved by the concentration to reach a total of sixteen half-courses (see items 5a and 5b).
- Tutorials
- Junior year: ESPP 90 seminar required of all concentrators.
- Thesis: None.
- General Examination: None.
- Other information
- Students applying for the concentration are required to submit a short essay indicating why this concentration suits their interests and career plans. Concentrators are required to formulate plans of study designed to comply with the concentration requirements, to indicate when the courses will be taken without time conflicts and to identify elective courses that will provide in-depth understanding of a particular area of environmental science and/or policy. Study plans are established in consultation with and approved by the Head Tutor. Thereafter, study plans are reviewed and approved by the student's concentration adviser.
- A list of courses judged of particular relevance for Environmental Science and Public Policy concentrators that may be chosen as electives is available from the Head Tutor. Other courses may be substituted by petition to the Committee on Degrees in Environmental Science and Public Policy.
- Pass/Fail: One elective course may be taken Pass/Fail.
- Required courses
- Include all Basic Requirements (above).
- ESPP 99r (one term).
- Additional half-courses approved by the concentration to reach a total of seventeen half-courses (see items 5a, 5b and 5c in Basic Requirements).
- Tutorials
- Junior year: ESPP 90 seminar required of all concentrators.
- Senior year: ESPP 99r (one term), required. Two terms may be taken, but only one term may count toward meeting concentration requirements.
- Thesis: Required. Ordinarily written as part of ESPP 99r.
- General Examination: None.
- Other information: Same as Basic Requirements (above).
Information for Freshmen
ESPP is designed to provide a multi-disciplinary introduction to current problems of the environment. It is founded on the premise that the ability to form rational judgements concerning many of the complex environmental challenges which confront society today requires both an understanding of the underlying scientific and technical issues and an appreciation for the relevant economic, political, legal, historical and ethical dimensions. It offers students an opportunity to specialize in a specific area of either natural or social science relating to the environment.
Application for ESPP
Students applying for the concentration are required to submit a short essay indicating why this concentration suits their interests and career plans. Concentrators are required to formulate plans of study designed to comply with the concentration requirements, to indicate when the courses will be taken without time conflicts and to identify elective courses that will provide in-depth understanding of a particular area of environmental science and/or policy.
Download the ESPP application.
All students have to satisfy a core of requirements in biology, chemistry, earth and planetary sciences, economics, government and mathematics. First year students interested in concentrating in ESPP should consider taking courses that will meet ESPP requirements in two or three areas if scheduling permits. Due to of the sequencing of more advanced courses, many of which have prerequisites, progress with required courses in the following areas will allow for more flexible course schedules in sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Requirements
Basic Requirements: 16 half-courses
Honors Requirements: 17 half-courses
Advising
At the beginning of the first term of concentration the Head Tutor in Environmental Science and Public Policy assigns each student to one of the members of the Committee on Degrees in Environmental Science and Public Policy, based on the student's interests. If desirable, the student is then reassigned to an adviser more appropriate for the student's specific area of interest, depending on faculty availability. Students normally continue with the same adviser throughout their concentration, although advisers may be changed upon student request or faculty perception of academic needs. Students should meet individually with their adviser at least once each term to discuss course selections, research opportunities and other academic matters, but are encouraged to meet with their advisers more often throughout the year. The adviser's signature on study cards is required. Students may also seek advice from any member of the Committee on Degrees in Environmental Science and Public Policy.