Environmental Science at Yale?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Hi,
I am deciding between Yale and Princeton. I posted a thread called "Environmental Science at Princeton or Yale?" in the Princeton forum and I got an interesting reply. I wanted a Yale perspective. </p>

<p>Yale has an environmental science major, along with the option to get a Masters the fifth year. At Princeton, there is a environmental studies certificate (I am not particularly interested in the other majors). The person who replied told me that "just because a school has a major in something doesn't mean that its good" and that it would be better to get a formal hard natural science education along with the certificate. </p>

<p>Can someone tell me how strong environmental science is at Yale?
Would a major at Yale be comparable or be better than a certificate at Princeton?</p>

<p>All comments welcome...</p>

2

<p>Yale has a very strong environmental studies program, that utilizes, among other advantages, the resources of Yale's forestry school, generally considered to be the best in the nation.

[quote]
he person who replied told me that "just because a school has a major in something doesn't mean that its good"

[/quote]

While that person's statement is true, it does not apply to Yale's Environmental Studies program, which is a very strong interdiscplinary program that requires students to study environmental issues from a scientific, political, economic, and even historical angle. Professors in the major come from a wide variety of backgrounds: the Forestry school, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Economics, History, Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, Geology and Geophysics, History of Science, and Political Science.

[quote]
that it would be better to get a formal hard natural science education along with the certificate.

[/quote]

I'm not sure what makes this person believe that you would not get a formal hard natural science education as part of Yale's Environmental Studies major, as it requires numerous courses in the sciences both as prerequisites and as part of the major. The major has prerequisites in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, and many of the courses in the major are very scientifically oriented.

[quote]
Would a major at Yale be comparable or be better than a certificate at Princeton?

[/quote]

It depends on what you mean by better. An undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Yale, compared to a degree in something else from Princeton plus a certificate in Environmental Studies, probably will not have much of an advantage in getting you a job. On the other hand, if you are particularly interested in Environmental Studies, the very comprehensive major at Yale (14-15 courses, plus prerequisites) will give you more opportunity to explore that interest than Princeton's certificate program (which would require you to primarily devote your time to another major that you may very well be less interested in). Additionally, if you pursue the 5 year masters program at Yale, there would probably be numerous career advantages, not only because you would have a graduate degree, but because that graduate degree would be through the premier forestry school in the United States (the masters program is run through the forestry school).</p>

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<p>I got into Stanford today. Is Yale's Forestry School better than Stanford's School of Earth Sciences? Is it comparable or no difference?</p>

<p>Thank you svalbardlutefisk. I do not want to major in something I do not care much about and earn a certificate in environmental studies at Princeton. Hopefully Yale can match Princeton's financial aid...</p>

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<p>Yale's environment school (it used to be called the forestry school, now it's called that) is the best in the country. And the most accessible to undergraduates. The undergrad program, as with any major at Yale, is extremely strong compared to any other program.</p>

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<p>Namooangel, I can't comment specifically on the programs you're asking about. My D is at Yale (thinking of Anthro, EnvSci and languages) and i am amazed everyday by the opportunities she has in front of her. Yale encourages (and pays for those who need $) almost any summer opportunity you can imagine. Internships (of social, cultural and environmental nature especially) GALORE. Let me just tell you that i had high hopes that my D would choose Stanford. In retrospect, i can see that her opportunities to see and make a difference in the world are far greater at Yale. Just a YaleMom's point of view.</p>