Environmental Studies

Traditional Undergraduate

BECOMING SYSTEMS-THINKERS AND CHANGEMAKERS

Hiram College was a pioneer in Environmental Studies, now one of the fastest-growing undergraduate programs in the U.S., and we continue to be a leader and innovator in this field. Students who make their way to Environmental Studies at Hiram are diverse in their interests and experiences, but they share an underlying desire to help solve problems and change the world. We give them what they need to do it!

Through our integrative curriculum and emphases on systems-thinking, hands-on learning, and communication, students acquire the knowledge, experiences, and skills they need to excel—in their professional roles, as graduate students, and as agents of change in their communities.

A “Big Picture” View

Because environmental issues are always also social issues, understanding them requires knowledge of natural and human social systems, and how they interact. Hiram’s Environmental Studies major and minor are specially designed to help students integrate the diverse knowledge and skills necessary for understanding and addressing complex socio-environmental problems.

The core of the program includes training in:

natural systems
human social systems
communicating about complex interdependent systems
relevant practical skills

In addition, Environmental Studies majors identify one of three areas of emphasis—Natural Systems, Human Social Systems, or Communicating Complexity—that best matches their interests and personal and professional goals. With the help of an advisor, each student crafts a personalized combination of elective courses in that area.

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Debbie Kasper, Ph. D.

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Chair

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Beyond the Classroom

We provide numerous opportunities for ACTION through:

Field Station internships
campus sustainability work with the SEED Scholars
the student-led Environmental Action Crew
field research, campus projects, and chances to get involved throughout the year

Related Majors and Minors

Natural History Minor

Natural historians examine the world to determine the relationships between organisms, how they developed and evolved, and how they interact with their environment. To achieve these aims, students who pursue a minor in natural history focus on individual organisms and examine ecosystems on a larger scale. They gain the tools to interpret the natural world through hands-on, interactive course work in the classroom and in the field.

Biochemistry Major

Beyond the surface of each living organism is a complex network that keeps it alive and functioning. If this fascinates you, biochemistry might be the program that fits your interests and goals. Biochemistry is the study of life processes. It uses the techniques of chemistry and physics to help you understand the inner workings of all organisms.

Biology Major

By pursuing the biology major at Hiram College, students can study life at all levels—molecular, cellular, individual and ecological. Combined with the new liberal arts, the biology degree prepares students to achieve their unique goals, from attending medical or veterinary school to pursuing an allied health profession.

Chemistry

The chemistry program at Hiram College is designed to provide students with detailed knowledge of the subject matter through extensive laboratory and research experiences. Coursework cultivates expertise in the areas of analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Because Hiram College is an undergraduate teaching institution, students receive close instruction and mentoring from Hiram’s full-time chemistry faculty. Hiram students also have unlimited access to the department’s array of research equipment and laboratory space.

Physics Major

Physics knowledge—the study of energy, matter and how things work—is sought after in today’s high-tech world. Hiram College physics majors are prepared to pursue graduate study, teaching in the sciences or working in a high-tech career.

Sociology

Sociology majors study people and the roles they play in society. Later, as sociologists, they will face the challenging task of analyzing and interpreting the social world while living in the midst of it. Hiram's academic program is designed to provide sociology students with the research tools and techniques essential for performing comprehensive and accurate inquiries into human events within a social context.

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