About the Program

Long Pine Key Lake at Sunset, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Everglades National Park is a U.S. National Park in Florida that protects the southern 20 percent of the original Everglades Long Pine Key Lake at Sunset, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Everglades National Park is a U.S. National Park in Florida that protects the southern 20 percent of the original Everglades

The undergraduate program in Ecosystem Science and Policy (ECS) is offered by the Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy and the College of Arts & Sciences. The goal of the program is to educate the next generation of environmental leaders.

Degree Programs

The Ecosystem Science and Policy program offers two undergraduate degree major programs: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), as well as a 15-credit minor and a Certificate in Sustainability. ECS Majors are required to complete either an environmentally related internship or a research project with the Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy or with other UM faculty.

Educational Objectives

The ECS program provides students with a broad background in environmental issues from a variety of perspectives, along with in-depth education in an area of specialization. The ECS major offers a series of problem-based learning courses, culminating in a capstone course in the senior year. Courses emphasize integration of science and policy approaches to real-world environmental issues. This preparation gives students both the theoretical background and technical skills to pursue environmental careers in, teaching and research, as well as for careers in government and private industries concerned with the environment.