<p>Hi! I am in the process of trying to decide where to go to college next year (either UC Berkeley or Tufts). I am very interested in the environment and want to major in environmental studies. I know that at Tufts, environmental studies is only offered as a secondary major...I am just wondering if this is an indicator of the lack of emphasis the school places on undergraduate education in environmental studies/sciences? I want to go to a place where there is a strong dedication to the environment and am wondering if this is a reality at Tufts? </p>
<p>Those rankings are from March 1st of this year.</p>
<p>The campus is big on recycling, being clean, etc. One of the biggest things is that Tufts has an annual energy forum every year to talk about sustainability and the environment. Interestingly, this is done with the Fletcher school. In this sense, it’s as if environmental studies is in part applied to actually help the world.</p>
<p>I know people studying environmental stuff and they tell me that certain professors they have grown close with and have actually done research with. These professors are usually in the chemistry department.</p>
<p>Congrats on your choices, and best of luck.</p>
<p>Just one piece of advice: Go for where you think you fit best. Whether or not that’s Tufts, the place you jibe with is the place you will flourish the most.</p>
<p>I was actually wondering the same thing about Environmental Studies at Tufts. Is it difficult to double major in four years or do they work with you to fit everything in?</p>
<p>Double majors in arts and science are generally not too hard to accomplish. In the engineering school, it can be a little trickier, but is still feasible.</p>
<p>Doubleig with ENV is really, really easy. You can double count classes if you’ve chosen a related major, and the ENV program itself is extremely flexible. You can bend it to focus more in the science, on politics and policy, on community engagement, and other areas.</p>
<p>You’ll find a LOT of buy in from faculty for the program, which I cannot stress enough. I had friends that went to Very Well Known Schools who majored in ENV (or whatever their equivalent was) and had a great deal of trouble finding faculty interested in specifically ENV students, because the bio profs wanted to do their own thing or the Econ profs were busy. Tufts values this program, and your professors - from Econ to bio to political science to environmental ethics profs in philosophy - will be excited to work with you.</p>
<p>I asked the head of the ENV program at Tufts, a bio prof, your exact question: why isnt this a first major, when ENV is clearly something we do well? He told me of an audit he just did of other top tier programs that had ENV first majors, and what he discovered is that the number of courses they require for their programs is extremely high, basically the same number that you’d need for ENV at Tufts combined with your second major. By leaving ENV as a second major, it gives the program greater flexibility - you can graft ENV together with a major in Bio, or computer science, or English, or international relations to be able to get an ENV education with a similar intensity, but greater possibility than what you’d find at a place where ENV can be a sole major. Environmental study is simply too broad to pigeonhole, and our program reflects that breadth.</p>
<p>This is a long way of saying that the secondary major aspect of the program is a NOT an indication of a lack of seriousness or rigor, rather it is a deliberate choice to recognize how multifaceted environmental study can be, and reflective of the Tufts philosophy of interdisciplinary education and the connectiveness of environmental issues to other academic disciplines.</p>
<p>I’m a big fan of environmental science/studies as a secondary major rather than a primary focus. I’ve seen a lot primary-major programs produce grads who just don’t know enough to go forward, even to graduate school. What I especially like about the Tufts approach is the different tracks–science, engineering, and social science. It shows that the program truly values the individual disciplines but it also puts everyone in the same room, at least on occasion, so we learn how to talk to each other and work together.</p>
<p>^^^ That’s how I felt once it was explained to me. I’m seeing if I can track down something from the program head - his explanation included some nuances that mine does not. But, in the meantime, I’m glad to offer some clarity of our purpose.</p>
<p>My D is graduating this spring from Tufts with a Bio/Env Studies major and has found it absolutely wonderful. She really loves the multidisciplinary approach to Env Studies and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. She had no problem getting the courses she wanted, and she did some great research projects, plus a study abroad that complemented both majors.</p>
<p>She’s feeling well-prepared for getting a job across the spectrum of biology, environmental projects, environmental education, and more. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for and make a confident decision. Good luck!</p>
<p>i too am trying to decide between berkeley and tufts for environmental studies (or environmental economics and policy at berkeley). weird!
i am from california so on tuesday i went to cals campus and sat in on some classes, including a class (i think mostly juniors and sophomores? hard to tell) on environmental policy and management. the professor was GREAT (a current student recommended him), the class was about 100 people but felt small, a few students asked questions and he answered, the teacher was really funny, the whole experience was great. he talked about his own research in the field (insect pheromones vs. pesticides) and it really made me realize how cool it is to be learning from someone who is actually involved in current research
i also briefly sat in on a poly sci freshman (i think) lecture in a hall that seats 700 students, though it wasnt full. different atmosphere, no one asked questions (at least not while i was there), and the prof was a little less charismatic but was able to still keep my attention at least.
i also sat in on a smaller senior class- International Rural Development. pretty crazy professor- apparently her brother started green peace, she seemed pretty wacky and entertaining- not quite environmental studies, but still a great experience
hopefully this info was helpful- im going back to cal on saturday for admitted students day and am going to try to sit in on some presentations about environmental sciences/ environmental economics and policy. ill try to post again if i learn anything new</p>
<p>to the person who lives near tufts- i encourage you to try to sit in on some classes! im going there next week for admitted students day to visit… hope we can learn more!</p>
<p>Hi folks,
I just thought it would be helpful to comment on this. Please be aware that at Tufts a second major doesn’t mean “secondary” major. It means dual major. And it can be taken with any of the available AS & E undergraduate programs. Most of the students in the program consider it their “first” major. As of Fall 2012, there are four new tracks which can be viewed here: [Curriculum</a> - Environmental Studies Program - Tufts University](<a href=“http://as.tufts.edu/environmentalstudies/curriculum/index.htm]Curriculum”>http://as.tufts.edu/environmentalstudies/curriculum/index.htm)</p>
<p>And, as of Feb 2013, there will also be a Environmental Science and Policy minor for Engineering students through the ENVS program. </p>
<p>Tufts is highly focused on Environmental issues and has a lot of undergraduate and graduate level opportunities in this field, as well as having an Office of Sustainability that works on institutional sustainability and student projects. The new president is also very focused on sustainability. I strongly recommend you visit the school to get a better idea of Tufts environmental offerings and trajectory when it comes to environmental education.</p>
<p>I really liked the above post about Cal - it highlights what there is to like about Cal, but also some of the rather stark differences between us. </p>
<p>There literally isn’t a lecture hall at Tufts that seats 700 people, and a course with mostly juniors/sophomores at Tufts is likely to be closer to 20 people than 100. </p>
<p>I’m not trying to make the case that a smaller class size is, on it’s own, better - especially if a professor is as good as burrito3 says. But, the distinction in size is a significant, with ramifications for student-access to resources and attention both inside and outside the classroom.</p>
<p>Email Colin Orians, the director of the ENV program at Tufts - [Tufts</a> University, Department of Biology: Faculty and Research](<a href=“Faculty | Department of Biology”>Faculty | Department of Biology) - and ask him if he has suggestions for things to see or people to meet when you come to campus. It might help you make a choice.</p>