Environmental Resource Management Major Moves to New Home

The Environmental Resource Management major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has been joined with the college’s newly created Environment and Natural Resources Institute to expose students to the cutting-edge interdisciplinary education, research, and outreach focus of the institute.

Formed more than three decades ago, the Environmental Resource Management major was one of the first dedicated environmental science programs offered in Pennsylvania. Since then, it has been preparing students to successfully and creatively analyze, manage, and protect the environmental resources of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world.

An interdisciplinary, sciencebased curriculum designed for students who want to use problem- solving, decision-making, and communication skills to address environmental and resource management issues, the major has evolved into one of the nation’s leading environmental science programs.

“We are extremely pleased that the Environmental Resource Management program will be merged with the Environment and Natural Resources Institute,” says institute director James Shortle, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Economics. “A primary goal in the creation of the institute was to provide a leadership and management structure to increase the visibility, stature, and impact of environmental science education in the college. The merger is a major step in realizing this goal.”

Robert Steele, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, believes the merger will pay big dividends for students. “The college’s Environment and Natural Resources Institute is involved with a broad range of environmental issues, such as new nutrient management and renewable fuels initiatives,” he says. “Our Environmental Resource Management students will benefit from exposure to the outreach focus of the institute.”

Rob Shannon, associate professor of agricultural engineering and coordinator of the major, is pleased that for the first time in the program’s long history, it is now aligned with a collegewide institute dedicated to environmental issues.

“As an alumnus and coordinator of the Environmental Resource Management program, I know that our students graduate to great environmental positions in private, public, and nonprofit organizations,” he says. “This new affiliation lays the groundwork for ERM students to have access to an even wider scope of environmental research, internship, and career opportunities.”

The Environmental Resource Management curriculum is threetiered, beginning with foundation courses in biology, chemistry, math, and physics. Students then take a series of supporting environmental courses such as environmental law, natural resource economics, and pollution impacts on ecosystems. The third tier of courses provides students with the opportunity to specialize by choosing an approved minor or an 18-credit specialization specific to one area of the environment.

Minors and specializations include watersheds and water resources, soil resources, geographic information systems, energy and air pollution, ecology, hazardous waste management, environmental engineering, and others.

According to Shannon, the major is great for students who want to experience hands-on learning through field- and lab-based resource- management courses. “They develop and apply science-based solutions to issues regarding environmental protection and resolve conflicting issues concerning sustainable management of natural resources,” he says. “If a student wants a career in conservation, restoration, or pollution prevention and remediation, he or she should consider majoring in Environmental Resource Management.”

—Jeff Mulhollem