ABOUT THE program

Environmental science and environmental studies are emerging interdisciplinary approaches to examining the environmental problems that human society is currently facing on Earth; among them understanding the implications of global climate change, costs and benefits of maintaining biodiversity, the handling and disposal of hazardous materials, and managing risks associated with large scale natural phenomena such as earthquakes, floods, and fires.

The strength of the approach of environmental scientists to these issues is reflected in the interdisciplinary nature of the environmental science curriculum at Whittier College. The environmental science curriculum is based on a balance between the in-depth knowledge needed to tackle difficult problems and the breadth necessary to view the problems from multiple perspectives.