The minor in environmental studies has as its central organizing principle that to understand the human/environment relationship, students must understand how to examine this relationship from multiple disciplinary perspectives, within and outside the natural sciences. The minor draws on fundamental scientific knowledge in mathematics, chemistry, engineering, physics, and biology to provide an advanced scientific understanding of contemporary environmental challenges, such as air and water pollution or the potential for alternative energy supplies. In addition, Environmental Studies provides a broadly integrated understanding of the social, political, and historical context of our environmental challenges. It also examines the ethical and moral aspects of humankind’s relationship with non-human animals and other species, ecosystems, and the planetary commons to determine the nature and extent of humankind’s moral responsibilities concerning the natural world. TCNJ also offers an Environmental Sustainability Education Minor.
