Curriculum

This BA program through the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences links courses in the natural and social sciences to guide students interested in environmental management. Learn more. 

Students can earn a BS in Biological Sciences focusing on Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BEB) through the Department of Biology in the School of Arts & Sciences. Learn more about this degree program.

The Department of Chemical and Sustainability Engineering’s bachelor’s in chemical engineering program integrates sustainability as a component of the chemical engineering curriculum. Learn more about this degree program. 

Students earning a degree in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science can specialize in one of three track themes:

• Climate and environmental sciences
• Geosciences
• Earth and planetary sciences

Learn more about this degree and its tracks, available through the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Available through the School of Arts & Sciences’ Undergraduate Program in Public Health, the BS in Environmental Health degree program integrates multiple disciplines to enhance understanding of environmental health exposures and consequences. Learn more about this program. 

Offered jointly between the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, this program is ideal for students interested in the application of mechanics to problems associated with the atmosphere, rivers, lakes and oceans, and the earth.

This cluster exposes students to topics related to the analysis of contemporary environmental issues and the role of chemical engineers in addressing these concerns.

In this cluster students become familiar with the history of the Earth, the processes that govern the patterns of that history, and the relationship of our planet to the larger environment of the solar system.

This cluster is an introduction to the basic geological and chemical processes that govern earth systems dynamics. There is a general introduction to geological and environmental sciences, with additional focus on interactions between earth surface and atmosphere.

This cluster examines the factors that shape the record of past environments. The current features and processes of the environment will be used to understand the past and predict the future.

This cluster introduces students to the geological record of life on Earth and also explain the environmental processes that sustain life and the biotic processes that affect the environment.

The cluster consists of three groups of courses: group one introduces students to the natural world and the impact humans have on it; group two discusses the basic ideas of energy availability and use; group three introduces students to the social/philosophical background of sustainability.

The cluster introduces students to current thinking about sustainability policies and their consequences. The first group of courses deals with the intellectual/philosophical background of sustainability; the second group covers policies important in this field and their consequences for society. The cluster is intended especially for students in the natural sciences and engineering.

This cluster introduces students to ways of understanding environmental values, histories, and relationships from a humanities perspective. By engaging environmental issues with an emphasis on interpretation, imagination, and culture, students will learn to think critically about the conceptual frameworks that shape how ecological problems and solutions are articulated.

With the world around us changing so rapidly, understanding the environment advantages and challenges that come with technological devices becomes more critical. This cluster takes a deep dive into the vast technological landscape that is green energy. It is rounded out with a business-related course that informs your understanding of how these products are managed and marketed.

An introduction to legal studies by means of one course in analytical techniques and two courses that study particular aspects of the law and legal systems. Students are encouraged to seek faculty advice when selecting their courses. Several courses related to environmental law are available.

This cluster introduces major themes in biology, physics, geology, environmental science, and planetary science bearing on life on earth. The graduate will gain the scientific foundation needed to make informed personal and political decisions concerning complex issues facing the world in the future, including those associated with global climate change, ecosystem modification, and the need for sustainable energy resources.

This cluster combines the study of applied issues in political economy and political development as it applies both to domestic and international matters.

Most people cannot understand how deeply connected environmental forces and advances in technology are on the food we take in on a daily basis. The world around us is changing rapidly, so understanding how these factors affect such a basic necessity in life is imperative. Look no further than this cluster to broaden your appreciation of the relationship between food, technology, and the environment around us.

The philosophical study of ethical controversies in biology, medicine and public health.

An overview of health policy as it relates to the organization, financing, and provision of health care in the U.S., including its history.

An overview of the relationship between public health and the environment, and of the social, political and economic contributors to creating and solving environmental health problems.

This cluster addresses ethical concerns associated with technological innovation and its social and environmental impact. It introduces students to methods of ethical analysis, ethical frameworks, and their significance for professional decision-making. The more advanced courses provide foundational understanding and in-depth analysis of social and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, bias in algorithmic decision-making, social media algorithms, autonomous vehicles, neuro-enhancement, biotechnologies, geoengineering, energy technologies, complex systems, and sustainability.

This cluster introduces students to basic methods of philosophical reasoning and allows them to pursue their interests in more advanced courses in the theory of knowledge, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics.

An introduction to legal studies by means of one course in analytical techniques and two courses that study particular aspects of the law and legal systems.

This cluster explores analytical techniques and philosophical issues related to the study of the law.

This cluster explores politics, political processes, and political institutions in the United States.

Introduces students to community engagement, through coursework, policy, and advocacy, while also providing background in related areas of political science.

This cluster explores the politics, political processes, and political institutions in countries other than the United States.

This cluster focuses on the politics of the environment, including problems and approaches and the forces at work on all sides of the issue. Note that some of the courses in this cluster have prerequisites.

This cluster is for students completing the University of Rochester’s Social Impact and Entrepreneurship Program. The program is an opportunity for Rochester students to spend the fall semester in Washington DC, learning about social entrepreneurship through courses and cutting-edge internship experiences.

The master’s curriculum is designed to provide fundamental knowledge in the chemical engineering core areas. MS students also have the option to select a coursework concentration for technical specialization within chemical engineering. The concentrations are:

• Bioengineering
• Computational modeling and machine learning
• Sustainability and environment

The PhD degree in chemical engineering is a research-based doctoral degree program. The program requirements are designed to provide candidates with fundamental understanding of core chemical engineering principles and intensive original research experience.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) offers a master of science program in geosciences. The program is intended to be two years in duration and has a strong emphasis on both coursework and research. Explore more details. 

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) offers a PhD degree in geosciences. Please contact EES faculty that you would be interested in doing research with to check about availability prior to applying for this program. Explore more details about this program.

The Rochester Toxicology Program provides state-of-the-art graduate and postdoctoral training in the environmental health sciences and toxicology. Learn more about this program. 

The MPH program has a long-standing tradition of training a diverse range of public health and health professionals in the skills needed to identify, prevent and solve community health problems. Upon completion of the MPH degree program in the Department of Public Health Sciences students will be able to:

• utilize concepts and theories of public health in addressing specific population health concerns.
• formulate and answer questions related to population health improvement among diverse populations, using quantitative and qualitative evidence; and
• work collaboratively to identify assets and problems, collect relevant data and devise and evaluate programs.

Learn more.