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The major in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior (EPIB) examines the human dimensions of environmental problems. It addresses such issues as how human actions affect the environment; how societies adapt to changes in natural resource availability; and how individuals, nations, and international agencies respond to environmental hazards. Courses in the program deal with local, regional, and national differences in the use of resources; with social and environmental aspects of health and illness; with alternative strategies for environmental management; with the ethical, moral, and legal dimensions of environmental and resource issues; and with the roles of governmental and non-governmental agencies in environmental affairs.
To understand these topics, students are exposed to a multidisciplinary view of the environment and draw upon concepts from a variety of fields, including anthropology, ecology, economics, geography, sociology, political science, and psychology.
The objectives of the curriculum are to teach basic concepts and methods from the social, biological, and physical sciences as they relate to the interactions among people and the environment; to train students in the techniques of empirical research; to provide opportunities for experiences in "real world" situations; to guide students in acquiring practical skills such as environmental assessment, professional writing, data analysis, and demographic analysis; and to broaden students' knowledge regarding environmental problems and how people cope with them.
The curriculum offers five options:
United States Environmental and Resource Policy
This option encompasses the political, scientific, institutional, and economic dimensions of environmental and resource policy development in the United States. Students are prepared for careers in government, industry, or nonprofit organizations as well as for graduate or professional studies in political science, law, and public administration.
International Environmental and Resource Policy
This option focuses on the political, scientific, and economic dimensions of global environmental and resource issues. Particular attention is given to the role of international institutions. Students are prepared for careers in government, industry, or nonprofit organizations as well as for graduate or professional studies on political science, law, and international development.
Health and Environmental Policy
This option focuses on the links between the environment and health. Students learn to understand health and nutrition as both biological phenomena and products of social, behavioral, and cultural influences. Students are prepared for further training in the health professions as well as for graduate studies in the social sciences or public health.
Environmental and Health Communication
This option focuses on the communication aspects of environmental and health issues with a specific focus on practical tools for social change and public participation in science and policy-making processes. Students are prepared for careers such as public information, community relations, health education in government, non-profit, or industry settings. Students are also prepared for graduate studies in fields such as communication, public health, public administration and law.
Individual Option
This option so for students who wish to develop their own specialized program. Their programs must focus on particular topic, area of application, or body of knowledge concerned with environmental policy, environmental health, institutions, or behavior. Students must identify, in writing and with the aid of a faculty adviser, the specific intellectual and vocational goals of the individualized program.
Graduates of the EPIB major pursue a variety of career paths depending on the option that they select. US option students frequently go to law school or pursue a master's degree in natural resources. They also find employment with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with the environment, or work for environmental protection agencies and their contractors. International option students go into the Peace Corps, work for international environmental NGOs, or attend graduate school. Health option students often find employment in the health care industry, work for health care agencies, or pursue a graduate degree in public health.
Graduation Requirements for the Major
There are three levels of requirements – School requirements for all SEBS students, requirements for all EPIB majors, and requirements for EPIB options. For example, all EPIB majors must take Introduction to Human to Ecology which also satisfies area IV of SEBS requirements (Multicultural and International Studies). All students must complete the SEBS core requirements appropriate for students majoring in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior (Areas I through VI below), plus the major requirements (Area VII A below, and one of the options described in Area VIII B below). Students must complete all(search all mentions and capitalize Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior (374) courses with a grade of C or better.
I. School Mission: Interdisciplinary Critical Analysis (3 credits)
One 3-credit Junior/Senior Colloquium. (This school requirement is fulfilled by the required 400 level EPIB topics course.)
II. Introductory Life and Physical Sciences (11-12 credits)
Life Science (8 credits)
At least one course from:
01:119:103 ~ Principles of Biology
01:119:101 ~ General Biology I
Please note: 01:119:103 OR 01:119:101 AND 01:119:102 are prerequisites for 11:704:351; the two-term General Biology sequence (119:101-102) is a prerequisite for most other advanced life science courses.
Must take the following course:
11:704:351 ~ Principles of Applied Ecology
B. Physical Sciences (3-4 credits)
See the Degree Requirements chapter.
III. Humanities and the Arts (6 credits)
See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter.
IV. Multicultural and International Studies (6 credits)
This school requirement is fulfilled by the following two courses which must be taken by all EPIB majors.
11:374:101~Introduction to Human Ecology (3)
11:374:102~Global Environmental Change (3)
V. Human Behavior, Economic Systems, and Political Processes
A. Human Behavior (3 credits)
This is fulfilled by Communities and Environmental Change (11:374:335) or by taking another course suggested in the Degree Requirements chapter.
B. Economic Systems (3-6 credits)
The US and International option require both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics; the Health & Environmental Policy, Health and Environmental Communication, and the Individual options may substitute Economics, People and the Environment.
01:220:103 ~ Introduction to Macroeconomics (3) or equivalent
11:373:121 ~ Principles and Applications of Microeconomics (3) or equivalent
11:373:101 ~ Economics, People, and Environment (3)
C. Political Processes (3 credits)
This school requirement is fulfilled by the following course which must be taken by all EPIB majors.
11:374:279 ~ Politics of Environmental Issues (3)
VI. Oral and Written Communication (6 credits)
See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter.
VII. Experience-Based Education Requirement (4 credits)
A. Must take the following course (1 credit):
11:374:280 ~ Careers in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior (1 credit)
B. At least 1 of the following courses (3 credits):
11:374:490 ~ Readings and Practicum in Human Ecology
11:374:491 ~ Readings and Practicum in Human Ecology
11:374:492 ~ Environmental Studies Internship
11:374:493 ~ Environmental Communication Clinic
An appropriate advisor-approved honors project
Proficiency in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior (45-67 credits)
VIII. EPIB Major Requirements (15 credits)
In addition to the three courses listed above (Introduction to Human Ecology, Politics Environmental Issues and Global Environmental Change) students must take:
A. The following course (3 credits):
11:374:269 ~ Population, Resources & Environment
1:374:269 ~ Population, Resources & Environment
B. At least 1 of the following courses (3 credits):
11:374:325 ~ Environmental Communications
11:374:335 ~ Communities & Environmental Change
11:374:331 ~ Culture and the Environment
IX. Professional Ethics (3 credits)
At least 1 of the following courses:
01:730:105 ~ Current Moral and Social Issues
01:730:106 ~ Current Moral and Social Issues
01:730:249 ~ Medical Ethics
01:730:250 ~ Environmental Ethics
01:730:346 ~ Rights, Justice, and Equality
X. Quantitative Methods (6 credits)
At least 1 of the following courses:
01:960:211 ~ Statistics I
01:960:401 ~ Basic Statistics for Research
To fulfill SEBS requirements, all students must place in Precalculus or higher or complete Intermediate Algebra (01:640:026)
11:374:201 ~ Research Methods
XI. Three Course Sequence (9 credits)
A planned sequence of three courses in a particular aspect of study chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor.
Written approval of the advisor is required.
Suggested areas include policy, planning, sustainable agriculture, air pollution, forest conservation and management, land use, marine issues, fisheries management and public health.
Note: A minor will satisfy the three course sequence.
Note: The three course sequence is not required for the individual option.
XII. Seminar Requirements
Seminars: choose one of the following courses unless otherwise noted:
Topics in Environmental and Resource Policy, Topics in the Health and Environment
This fulfills Area I of the school requirement.
Note: Health and Environmental Policy Option may take 11:709:452~Nutrition and Behavior
Note: Environmental and Health Communication Option must take three of the following four courses:
11:374:430 ~ Risk, Health, and Safety
11:374:433 ~ Public Participation and Environmental Policy
11:374:435 ~ Communication in the Life Sciences
11:374:437 ~ Culture and Health
XIII. EPIB OPTIONS (30-52)
A. United States Environmental and Resource Policy (36)
All of the following courses (9 credits):
11:374:312 ~ Environmental History
11:374:313 ~ US Environmental Policy
11:374:314 ~ Natural Resources Policy
All of the following courses (6 credits):
11:375:333 ~ Environmental Law I
01:790:201 ~ American Government
The following must be taken (6 credits):
01:220:103 ~ Introduction to Macroeconomics AND
11:373:121 ~ Principles and Applications of Microeconomics OR
01:220:102 ~ Introduction to Microeconomics
At least 1 course from (3 credits):
11:373:361 ~ Land Economics
11:373:362 ~ Natural Resource Economics
11:373:363 ~ Environmental Economics
01:220:332 ~ Environmental Economics
General Policy Courses: choose two of the following courses (6 credits)
11:375:334 ~ Environmental Law II
01:512:323 ~ History of North American Environment
01:512:324 ~ History of North American Environment
01:790:305 ~ Public Policy Formation
01:790:341 ~ Public Administration: American Bureaucracy
01:790:342 ~ Public Administration: Policy Making
01:920:434 ~ Social Science and Public Policy
10:975:231 ~ Introduction to Public Policy
10:975:305 ~ US Urban Policy
10:975:330 ~ Urban Fiscal Policy
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B. International Environmental and Resource Policy (36-52)
All of the following courses (12 credits):
11:374:312 ~ Environmental History
11:374:313 ~ US Environmental Policy
11:374:314 ~ Natural Resources Policy
11:374:315 ~ International Environmental Policy
At least one of the following courses (3 credits):
01:790:319 ~ Issues in American Foreign Policy
01:790:327 ~ International Political Economy
The following must be taken (6 credits):
01:220:103 ~ Introduction to Macroeconomics AND
11:373:121 ~ Principles and Applications of Microeconomics OR
01:220:102 ~ Introduction to Microeconomics
At least 1 of the following courses (3 credits):
11:373:361 ~ Land Economics
11:373:362 ~ Natural Resource Economics
11:373:363 ~ Environmental Economics
01:220:332 ~ Environmental Economics
A course that focuses on a particular geographical area
A total of 3 credits
This course may be selected from anthropology, geography, history, or political science.
A total of 16 credits from:
{Foreign Language Proficiency}
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C. Health and Environmental Policy (30)
Health and Environmental Policy Option (6 credits)
A total of 2 courses:
11:374:341 Social and Ecological Aspects of Health and Disease
11:709:255 Nutrition and Health
A course introducing the biological or physiological dimensions of health (3 credits)
At least 1 of the following courses:
01:119:150 ~ Biology, Society and Biomedical Issues
01:146:356 ~ Systems Physiology
A course presenting the public health perspective (3 credits)
At least 1 of the following courses:
10:832:232 ~ Principles of Public Health
10:832:483 ~ Protecting Public Health and the Environment
A course on epidemiology (3 credits)
At least 1 of the following courses:
11:375:403 ~ Environmental and Public Health: Epidemiological Aspects
10:832:335 ~ Epidemiology
A course addressing the social dimensions of health (3 credits)
At least 1 of the following courses:
01:070:307 ~ Medical Anthropology
01:920:210 ~ Sociology of Medicine and Health Care
01:830:377 ~ Health and Psychology
10:832:414 ~ Culture and Health
Notes: The course may not be used to fill another major requirement.
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D. Environmental and Health Communication (42-50 credits)
The following core courses:
11:374:225 ~ Environment and Health in Society and Mass Media
11:374:325 ~ Environmental Communication
11:374:436 ~ Health Literacy
11:374:493 ~ Environmental Communication Clinic
Three additional courses on communication practices
A total of 3 courses from:
01:355:202 ~ Technical Writing Essentials
01:355:302 ~ Scientific and Technical Writing
01:355:303 ~ Writing for Business and Professions
01:355:312 ~ Writing for Biology and Natural Science
01:355:315 ~ Writing Grant Proposals
01:355:342 ~ Science Writing
01:355:352 ~ Writing as a Naturalist
01:355:365 ~ Technical Editing
01:355:375 ~ Collaborative Writing Practices
01:355:415 ~ Information Design
01:355:425 ~ Web Authoring
01:920:205 ~ Mass Communication and Modern Society
01:920:280 ~ Collective Behavior and Social Movements
04:189:101 ~ Introduction to Communication and Information Systems and Processing
04:189:102 ~ Introduction to Media Systems and Processes
04:192:380 ~ Public Speaking
04:567:324 ~ News Reporting and Writing
Notes: The course (s) may not be used to fill any other requirements such as School General Education Requirements.
Courses on the Biological, Physiological, or Social Dimensions of the Environment and Health
At least 1 of the following courses:
At least one course beyond school requirements from the following list on the biological, physiological, or social dimensions of the environment or health (3):
Note: students are advised to carefully review the prerequisites for these courses before registering.
01:119:131 ~ Microbiology for the Health Sciences and 01:119:132 ~ Microbiology for the Health Sciences Laboratory
01:119:150 ~ Biology, Society, and Biomedical Issues
01:377:213 ~ Functional Human Anatomy
01:377:218 ~ Exercise and Health
01:377:370 ~ Exercise Physiology
01:750:193,194 ~ Physics for the Sciences
01:920:359 ~ Environmental Sociology
10:832:483 ~ Protecting Public Health
11:115:301 ~ Introductory Biochemistry and 11:115: 313 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory
11:115:403 ~ General Biochemistry
11:374:308 ~ Human Ecology of Maritime Regions
11:374:312 ~ Environmental Problems in Historical and Cross-Cultural Perspective
11:374:313 ~ Environmental Policy and Institutions
11:374:314 ~ Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management
11:374:315 ~ International Environmental Policy
11:374:335 ~ Social Responses to Environmental Problems
11:374:341 ~ Social and Ecological Aspects of Health and Disease
11:374:434 ~ Local Government and the Environment
11:375:101 ~ Introduction to Environmental Science
11:375:301 ~ Environment and Health
11:628:120 ~ Introduction to Oceanography
11:709:201 ~ Introduction to Foods and Nutrition
11:920:210 ~ Sociology of Medicine and Health Care
Notes: The course (s) may not be used to fill School General Education Requirements.
Additional Methods
At least 1 of the following courses:
11:372:232 ~ Fundamentals of Environmental Geomatics
11:375:403 ~ Environmental and Public Health: Epidemiological Aspects
01:450:321 ~ Geographic Information Systems
10:832:335 ~ Epidemiology
01:960:212 ~ Statistics II
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E. Individual Option (36)
A planned sequence of courses, selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.
The student is required to develop a formal proposal for the individual option that includes the learning goals and lists the specific courses to be taken. This proposal must be approved by a committee of departmental faculty members. The sequence may represent a selection from the courses required for the other three options, or courses from one of the options combined with a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences minor (e.g., Science and Agriculture Teacher Education program), or some other well-defined program of study.
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IX. Unspecified Electives (13-39 credits)
In addition to courses meeting the above requirements, students can take any other courses offered by the university, for which they meet the course eligibility requirements, to bring their total number of credits to the minimum of 128 required for graduation.
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Please refer to Degree Navigator for information on specific courses and options.
To access degree navigator please click the following link:
For specific questions regarding the major, please contact Dr. Caron Chess at chess_c@aesop.rutgers.edu.
Thank you.