Have you ever wondered how your actions impact the world around you? In an era where climate change and sustainability are not just buzzwords but eminent concerns, understanding our environment has never been more crucial. At King's College, we don't just teach you about environmental issues: we immerse you in the solutions.

If you're passionate about making a tangible difference in the world, a degree in environmental and sustainability studies may be right for you.

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program Overview

Environmental and sustainability studies explores the relationship between the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of real-world dilemmas. Our program goes beyond traditional environmental education and integrates the humanities and social sciences as part of a comprehensive understanding of modern challenges.

We've designed this program for students who feel a deep connection to the environment and are eager to be at the forefront of change. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., King's College offers access to a rich variety of study sites, including natural forested lands, lakes, streams, and rivers like the Susquehanna. Students can examine the energy sector up close through nearby coal, gas, and nuclear power plants, wind and solar farms, and abandoned coal mines. There is a place-based component to nearly all of our programming, and we teach students to view agriculture and waste management operations from perspectives that are often ignored.

Our Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies goes beyond the textbooks to help students experience the environment as a real place, understand the complexities and tradeoffs of environmental issues, and explore innovative ways to improve their world.

Degree Offered

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (B.A.)

What Makes the King's Environmental Studies Program Different?

Albert Einstein reportedly defined the environment as "everything that isn't me." This definition speaks to the scope and interconnectedness of the environmental issues facing us today. Understanding and solving those issues requires a working knowledge of various disciplines.

As a result, students pursuing an environmental and sustainability major will learn how to examine environmental problems from scientific, social, economic, and ethical points of view. You will also become an environmental professional who can help address environmental challenges in ways that are both effective and innovative.

Here's what makes our environmental studies program unique:

  • Dedicated Faculty: At King's, our faculty members are more than educators. They are mentors and leaders in their fields, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom.
  • Experiential Learning and Fieldwork: The best way to learn about the environment is to be in it. Our program emphasizes place-based and hands-on learning experiences, from fieldwork in diverse ecosystems to engaging in community-based sustainability initiatives.
  • Interdisciplinary Approach: Our interdisciplinary and systems approach to education ensures that our students are well-versed in environmental science and understand the social, economic, and ethical dimensions of sustainability.
  • Small Class Sizes and Innovative Programming: With small class sizes, students receive personalized attention and guidance, fostering a learning environment where they can thrive and grow. Class formats include traditional lectures and labs but also courses based entirely in the field or immersion courses that transport students to places like the Adirondack Park, Chesapeake Bay, or Costa Rica for an extended stay.

Testimonials

"The environmental program at King's introduced me to the diversity of opportunities in the environmental field. This exposure helped me narrow my focus when beginning to consider career opportunities. While graduating can be a tumultuous time for many, I felt confident in the direction that I wanted to go. King's is the bedrock of my personal and professional development."
- Jonathan Deroba '02, Ph.D., Research Biologist, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

"The faculty, led by Dr. Brian Mangan, are excellent and their mentorships are invaluable. They are always willing to work with you, guide you, and will help tailor your coursework to your professional interests."
-Neil Fisher '09, Aquatic Biologist Supervisor, PA Department of Environmental Protection

"The King's College environmental program provides the educational foundation to understand, analyze and interpret environmental subjects. Further, the experiences in the program provide students with core ethical values that help shape decision making in the professional realm."
-Michael Roadside '11, Environmental, Health & Safety Manager, Datwyler Pharma Packaging USA Inc.

"With the small class sizes and extremely engaged faculty, King's truly gave me the college experience that has carried with me throughout my professional career. To this day, I value the continued personal and professional relationships that developed during those short, four years."
-Justin Ulanoski '03, President, Native Creations Landscape Services

What Can You Do with an Environmental and Sustainability Studies Degree?

Businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies seek individuals who can think critically about complex environmental issues, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and develop innovative, sustainable solutions. An environmental and sustainability studies degree from King's College hones these very skills. Our graduates are known for their ability to approach environmental challenges with a balanced perspective, considering scientific, ethical, and social dimensions.

Whether you're interested in policy development, environmental consulting, conservation, or education, your skills will be in high demand. Here are just a few career paths our graduates pursue:

  • Environmental Consultant
  • Sustainability Manager
  • Environmental Educator
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Urban Planner
  • Environmental Policy Analyst
  • Renewable Energy Specialist
  • Nonprofit Administrator
  • Climate Change Analyst
  • Environmental Lawyer

Top Environmental Studies Major Employers

  • Environmental Consulting Firms
  • Non-Profit Conservation Organizations
  • Government Agencies (Local, State, and Federal)
  • Renewable Energy Companies
  • Waste Management Companies
  • National Parks and Wildlife Services
  • Environmental Education Centers
  • Law firms

Placement Highlights

Listed below are just a few examples of where our graduates have found success:

  • Graduate degrees (M.A., M.S., and Ph.D.)
  • Environmental consulting and engineering firms
  • Governmental agencies (e.g., state parks, national laboratories)
  • Non-governmental environmental organizations (e.g., Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, various conservancies)

Top Careers for Environmental Studies Majors

  • Environmental Scientist
  • Water Quality Specialist
  • Wetlands Scientist
  • Fisheries Scientist
  • Wildlife Scientist
  • Environmental Lawyer
  • Environmental Health and Safety Officer
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist
  • Environmental Educator
  • Park Ranger
  • Wastewater Treatment Operator
  • Environmental Policy Analyst
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Urban Planner
  • Environmental Journalist

So, what careers can you pursue with an environmental and sustainability studies degree? Our graduates find themselves well-prepared for roles in environmental consulting, advocacy, and education. Our program also equips students for careers in environmental resource management, playing a crucial role in the stewardship and conservation of natural resources.

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program Description

The environmental studies program at King's College prepares students for real-world environmental challenges by including perspectives from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. This interdisciplinary curriculum ensures a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues beyond traditional science.

Our program includes student-centered foundational and advanced classes, problem-based learning, and experiential learning opportunities. Students will access diverse learning environments across classrooms, laboratories, and fieldwork, with immersive courses in unique ecosystems like Chesapeake Bay, Adirondack Park, and the rainforest of Costa Rica.

Our courses can be tailored to meet a student's interests and career path. In fact, environmental and sustainability studies majors are strongly encouraged to minor in other disciplines that complement their environmental career goals.

This major also prepares students interested in continuing their education through graduate studies or professional school.

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Course and degree Information

Environmental and Sustainability Studies Curriculum

Introductory courses like Introduction to sustainability and Environmental Science I & II lay the foundational knowledge, while specialized courses such as Environmental Law and Conservation Biology delve into the practical aspects of environmental management.

Field experiences are integral to our program, including immersive learning in diverse ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay, Adirondack Park, and Costa Rica. These experiences, combined with our diverse course offerings, ensure that students are well-versed in environmental theory and skilled in applying this knowledge in real-world settings.

Graduates of the environmental and sustainability major program at emerge as well-rounded, adaptable, and knowledgeable individuals, equipped to make significant contributions in various environmental fields, from policy and advocacy to research and sustainable development.

A minor in environmental and sustainability studies is available that is complementary to many other majors at King's.
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Degree Requirements

Major Requirements - 13 COURSES, 42 CREDITS

Core Courses

  • ENST 200 Earth Science (3)
  • ENST 201* Environmental Science I (4; cross-listed as Core 270)
  • ENST 202* Environmental Science II (4; cross-listed as Core 274)
  • ENST 255 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (3)
  • ENST 360 Environmental Law (3)
  • ENST 314 Environmental Sociology (3)
  • ENST 370 Environmental Seminar (3)
  • ENST 410 Ecological/Environmental Sampling and Analysis (3)
  • ENST 452 Environmental Policy (3)
  • ECON 112 Principles of Economics: Micro (3)
  • MATH 128 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (4)
  • SOC 312 Dynamics of Population (3)

Electives

One of the following:

  • ENST 490 Independent Study of Environmental Issues (3)
  • ENST 491 Environmental Research (3 or more)
  • ENST 499 Environmental Internship (3)

In addition, students must complete seven of the following major electives to match their individual career goals (at least two must be from the ENST 401 series):

  • BIOL 314 Microbiology (4)
  • BIOL 349 Animal Behavior (4)
  • BIOL 430 Ecology (4)
  • ENG 149 Environmental Literature (3; counts also as a CORE requirement)
  • PHIL 172 Environmental Ethics (3: counts also as a CORE requirement)
  • ECON 356 Economic Development and International Geography (3)
  • ECON 493 Women, Poverty, and the Environment (3)
  • ENST 203 Introduction to Sustainability (3; cross-listed as NSCI 181)
  • ENST 310 Computer Modeling in Biology and Environmental Science (3)
  • ENST 320 Environmental Health (3)
  • ENST 330 Environmental Education (4)
  • ENST 340 Wildlife Natural History (4)
  • ENST 350* Environmental Art (3; cross-listed as ARTS 122)
  • ENST 367 Environmental Psychology (3)
  • ENST 400 Conservation Biology (3)
  • ENST 402 Adirondack Park Ecology (4)
  • ENST 403 Chesapeake Bay Ecology (4)
  • ENST 404 Tropical Ecosystems: Peru (3)
  • ENST 420 Ecotoxicology (3)
  • ENST 430 Wildlife Ecology and Management (3)
  • ENST 435 Wetland Ecology and Delineation (3)
  • ENST 440 Wildlife Techniques (4)
  • ENST 450 Water Quality Analysis (4)
  • PS 232 Public Administration (3)
  • PS 352 Policy Analysis (3)
  • SOC 212 Social Problems (3)
  • SOC 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
  • WMST 190P Global Health Issues and Problems (3)

MINOR REQUIREMENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES

(6 COURSES - 20 CREDITS)

Core Minor Courses

  • ENST 201* Environmental Science I (4)
  • ENST 202* Environmental Science II (4)
*denotes cross-listing with Core courses
Environmental and Sustainability Studies Course Descriptions

ENST 200 - Earth Science (3)

This course provides an introduction to the formation and function of the Earth. Emphasis is given to basic geology, meteorology, and climatology associated with our planet. Three (3) lecture hours.

ENST 201 - Environmental Science I (4)

This is the first in a series of two introductory environmental courses that discuss the concepts and principles of environmental science. Through a combination of field and laboratory experiences, students will be introduced to methods for assessing and monitoring the environmental health of ecosystems. Topics for discussion include weather and climate, biodiversity, ecosystem management, energy transfer and balance, population growth, bioremediation, and environmental toxicology. Three (3) lecture and Three (3) laboratory hours; lecture portion cross-listed as Core 270E.

ENST 202 - Environmental Science II (4)

This is the second in the series of introductory environmental courses with a focus on natural resource use. Topics include energy, global warming, water resources, toxic wastes, ozone depletion, and renewable and non-renewable resources. Three (3) lecture and Three (3) laboratory hours; lecture portion cross-listed as Core 274.

ENST 255 - Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (3)

This course is a hands-on approach to learning and using GIS software packages. Emphasis is on effective-user interfacing as well as GIS terminology and application. Cross-listed as CIS 255.

ENST 360 - Environmental Law (3)

This course investigates various laws in the United States and their impacts on environmental protection. The student will examine numerous case studies drawn from both local and global environmental problems. Prerequisites for environmental majors are ENST 201, 202; however, these prerequisites do not necessarily apply to students outside of the environmental program. Interested students should consult with the program director.

ENST 310 - Computer Modeling in Biology and Environmental Science (3)

The student will learn the basics of how to use a visual-modeling environment, Stella II, to simulate various phenomena in biology, ecology, and environmental science. Computer assignments and models will be tailored to students in their individual major. No computer programming experience is needed and the course is open to any student in the sciences. Cross-listed as BIOL 310.

ENST 314 - Environmental Sociology (3)

Human societies vary tremendously in how they interact with the natural environment, including how they define, use, and allocate natural resources, how social systems have been shaped by climate, space, and the presence of other species, how societies' members have viewed their role in the ecosystems, and the manner in which human activities have altered their habitat over time, both intentionally and unintentionally. At the same time, there has been less variation in how the consequences of environmental degradation and misallocation of resources are experienced. Within and across societies, the consequences of poor environmental stewardship tend to be suffered disproportionately by the less privileged members of local and global social orders. In this course, we will explore the relationship between humans and the environment throughout history and across the globe, with particular attention to environmental justice issues, the emergence of environmental consciousness and cultures, and the interaction between environmental, economic, and social components of "sustainability."

ENST 350 - Environmental Art (3)

This course is an exploration of the environment through artistic media. The goal of this course is to encourage students to connect to the environment through art. Students will be encouraged to pursue this environmental connection through numerous artistic avenues including drawing, painting, writing, photography, sculpture, and woodcraft. In addition, students are welcome to bring other environmental media to the course. Cross-listed as Core 177.

ENST 370 - Environmental Seminar (3)

The Environmental Seminar is the setting for the sophomore/junior Diagnostic Project, a screening device used by environmental faculty to determine the ability of students to transfer critical thinking and effective communication skills to a selected question. The seminar can involve literature review, case studies, or an actual environmental project with a significant service-learning component. The seminar provides students with a better understanding of the training needed for success in the environmental field. Prerequisites for environmental majors are ENST 201 and 202.

ENST 400 - Conservation Biology (3)

An introduction to the loss, restoration, and maintenance of the Earth's biological diversity. Topics covered include habitat loss, species invasions, mitigation approaches, and resource management.

ENST 402 - Adirondack Park Ecology (4)

In this spring semester immersion course, students will explore the ecology of the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, one of the largest experiments in conservation on the planet. This course culminates in a week-long trip with King's faculty to the park in April, studying the history, economy, and ecology of an area designated to be "forever wild."

ENST 403 - Chesapeake Bay Ecology (4)

An immersion course focused on the "Queen of the Estuaries," Chesapeake Bay. Topics covered in this course include the history, geology, economy, and ecology of the bay. A week-long trip in October with King's faculty caps off the semester.

ENST 404 - Tropical Ecosystems: Peru/Costa Rica (3)

Tropical ecosystems are renowned for their incredible biodiversity. In this immersion course, students will spend a week with King's faculty at a tropical research station, e.g., Peru or Costa Rica, and study the systems ecology and spectacular diversity of life present at these important areas of the planet.

ENST 410 - Environmental Sampling and Analysis (3)

Introduction to methods of sampling and analysis in the environmental field. Topics include the design of a sampling program, methods of sample collection, and the statistical analysis of sampling data. Prerequisites include MATH 128.

ENST 420 - Ecotoxicology (3)

An introduction to the science that investigates the effects of pollutants and toxins on the ecology of individuals, populations, and communities of organisms. This course will survey naturally occurring and anthropogenic elements and compounds that influence a range of activities in organisms and ecosystems. Historical and contemporary examples will be used across numerous types of organisms to help us understand the effects of chemical challenges on their physiology, behavior, and survival.

ENST 430 - Wildlife Ecology and Management (3)

The course investigates the interrelationships between wildlife and their environments with an emphasis on human management of wildlife resources. Topics to be covered include habitat relationships, population dynamics, community integrity and stability, and management of wildlife, particularly, game species.

ENST 435 - Wetland Ecology and Delineation (3)

This course focuses on the structure and function of wetlands, among the most productive ecosystems found on the planet. Students will examine the ecology of swamps, marshes, and peatlands to better understand their origins, adaptations, hydrology, and ecological communities. Topics will also include the hydrology of these areas and their delineation, particularly as they relate to human activities.

ENST 440 - Wildlife Techniques (4 credits)

A field course designed to expose students to basic research techniques and methods used in the study of wildlife. Activities include boat and backpack electrofishing, fish and crayfish capture techniques using seines, trap nets, and baited traps, use of wildlife cameras and drone survey systems, live trapping of small mammals, artificial cover objects for forest salamander surveys, animal scat and track identifications, etc.

ENST 450 - Water Quality Analysis (4 credits)

A field and lab-based course to introduce students to the many methods used to monitor and measure water quality. Activities include assessments of stream and land gradients and flow volumes, measurement of basin capacity and the production of contour maps, stream electrofishing techniques, macroinvertebrate collection and identification, and the measurement of physico-chemical water quality parameters such as conductivity, turbidity, pH, and solids (total, suspended, and dissolved).

ENST 452 - Environmental Policy (3)

An examination of the different facets of policy in the environmental field. Cross-listed as PS 452.

ENST 490 - Independent Study in Environmental Issues (3-4)

This course can be completed with any faculty member involved in environmental studies, and can take the form of a senior thesis, community service, or research. Community service provides students with real world experience in a variety of fields within the broad area of environmental studies. Senior thesis or research allows students to explore specific problems and solutions that relate to the environment.

ENST 491 - Environmental Research (3-6)

Students participate in departmental research projects initiated by faculty. The students work under the direction of faculty conducting independent and original research.

ENST 499 - Internship (3-6)

A full semester or more of field experience designed to give students the opportunity to acquire experience and skills while working with practicing professionals. Students may choose from a variety of internships: government, consulting, research, nonprofit organizations, business, industry, and other areas. Scheduling is to be arranged with internship advisor. Approval of program director required. A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required for an internship.

Faculty and Contacts

Brian P. Mangan, Ph.D.
Program Director
Professor of Environmental and Ecological Sciences and Biology
Email: brianmangan@kings.edu
Prof. Tara K. Mangan, M.A.
Instructor of Environmental and Sustainability Studies
E-mail: taramangan@kings.edu

CONTRIBUTING FACULTY

  • Dr. Garrett Barr (conservation biology)
  • Atty. Michael Bedrin (environmental law)
  • Atty. Joseph Rish (environmental policy)
  • Dr. Margarita Rose (environmental economics)
  • Dr. Frank Varriale (physical geology)
  • Dr. Paul Zbiek (populations)

Environmental Studies Major Resources

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

  • Student Organizations: Environmental Club