The Ecosystems and Human Impact major, leading to a Bachelor of Art degree, provides the skills, knowledge, and preparation for students to assess and address the complex interaction of humans and natural environments. The curriculum integrates principles and methodologies from ecology, biology, genetics, anthropology, human ecology, and geography, combined with an understanding of economics, ethics, and policy within a greater global perspective.
The major prepares students for entry-level employment in the public, private, or non-profit sectors concerned with a wide range of issues, such as: conservation of ecosystems, ecosystem restoration, loss of biodiversity, and development of sustainable bioresources. The major prepares students for graduate study in anthropology, geography, environmental science, sociology, natural resource management, and biology among other fields.
The major builds on the interdisciplinary sustainability core curriculum. Students will enroll in major-specific courses in their junior and senior year. In their junior or senior year students will have the opportunity to enroll in the study abroad program at Ranomafana, Madagascar, which provides training in field biology, ecology, primatology, and anthropology. Students enrolled in this program will take courses and conduct independent research that contributes to a better understanding of Ranomafana National Park and the link between the park and the people of the region. Local internships, research courses, and field courses are also available to students to build up real-world experience.
The Ecosystems and Human Impact minor is intended for students who seek to complement their chosen major with a coherent set of courses emphasizing the interaction between humans and ecosystems from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Requirements for the Major in Ecosystems and Human Impact (EHI)
Note: Effective Spring 2023, students may not declare the major in Ecosystems and Human Impact. Students may instead enroll in the Ecosystems and Human Impact track in the BA in Sustainability Studies.
A. Required Foundation Courses for Major (27-28 credits)
B. Core Courses (24-25 credits)
C. Elective Course Groups (15-18 credits)
Other classes may be substituted with permission of undergraduate director
Group I: Technical Skills
Choose one of the following three courses:
Group 2: Solutions for Environmental Problems
Choose three courses from the following list. Students may take a three credit SUS 488, SUS 487, ANP 387, ANP 487, or ANT 487 with permission of their faculty advisor.
Group 3: History and Policy of Environmental Issues
Choose one of the following courses:
*Course has a pre-requisite that is outside the major.
D. Communications and Writing Requirement
The advanced writing component of the major in
EHI
requires registration
in the 0-credit SUS 459 and approval of either a term paper or a laboratory report written for an
advanced course in the appropriate major at Stony Brook (including Readings and Research
courses). Completion of SUS 459 with a grade of S will result in approval of the WRTD requirement. A
list of preapproved courses can be
obtained through the department.
Students should consult with the department advisor to ensure that their plan for completing the Upper Division Writing Requirement is consistent with university graduation requirements for General Education. Students completing the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) must complete a course that satisfies the "Write Effectively within One's Discipline" (WRTD)learning objective to graduate. The Upper Division Writing Requirement is consistent in most cases with the SBC learning outcomes for WRTD.
Note:
No more than one course (4 credits maximum) with a passing grade lower than C can be credited towards the major. Course taken with the Pass/NC option may not be applied to the major.
Study Abroad
Stony Brook University offers study abroad experiences that are focused on issues of sustainability in Cuba, Madagascar, and the Turkana Basin (Kenya). While issues of climate change, water and energy security, sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, sustainable economic development, conservation of unique and threatened ecosystems, population growth, and human health are important everywhere, viewing these issues through the lens of a different place and a different culture provides a valuable perspective. Students are encouraged to participate in study abroad experiences and to talk with their major director to determine how study abroad coursework can be used to fulfill some requirements for their major.
Double Majors
Excluding ENV 301 (Sustainability of the Long Island Pine Barrens), SUS 301 (Technical Writing and Communication), SUS 305 (Collective Advocacy and Action), and SUS 401 (Integrative Collaborative Systems Studies), no more than 6 credits of 300-400 level course credits can be applied to two majors within the Sustainability Studies Program or the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.
The Ecosystems and Human Impact minor is intended for students who seek to complement their chosen major with a coherent set of courses emphasizing the interaction between humans and ecosystems from an interdisciplinary perspective. At least 12 credits applied to the minor may not be applied to any major or other minor.
Declaration of the Minor
Students should declare the Ecosystems and Human Impact minor no later than the middle of their sophomore year, at which time they should consult with the minor coordinator or undergraduate director and plan their course of study for fulfillment of the requirements.
Requirements for the Minor in Ecosystems and Human Impact (EHI)
A. Required courses (12-13 credits):
One of the following courses:
B. Electives (9 credits):
Choose three of the following courses:
* These courses are offered as part of the Madagascar Study Abroad Program.
| FRESHMAN |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| First Year Seminar 101 | 1 |
| WRT 101 | 3 |
|
SUS 111 |
3 |
| MAT 125, MAT 131, or AMS 151 | 3-4 |
|
Elective |
3 |
| Total | 13-14 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| First Year Seminar 102 | 1 |
| WRT 102 | 3 |
| CHE 129, CHE 131, or ENV 115 | 3-4 |
| ECO 108 |
4 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| SOPHOMORE |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| SUS 201 | 3 |
| ANP 120 | 4 |
| BIO 201/BIO 204 | 5 |
| SUS 301 | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENV 304 or ATM 305 | 3 |
| Foreign Language or elective | 3-4 |
| SUS 322 | 3 |
| SUS 326 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| JUNIOR |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| technology elective (group 1) | 3-4 |
| SUS 305 | 3 |
| solutions elective (group 2) | 3 |
| SUS 304 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 351 | 3 |
| solutions elective (group 2) | 3 |
| solutions elective (group 2) | 3 |
| GSS 313/GSS 314 | 4 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| SENIOR |
|---|
| FALL | Credits |
|---|---|
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| EHI 487 | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| SPRING | Credits |
|---|---|
| issues elective (group 3) | 3 |
| SUS 401 or ENV 301 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Internship | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Major and Minor in Ecosystems and Human Impact
Director: Sharon Pochron
Email:
Sharon.pochron@stonybrook.edu
Program Office: E2361 Melville Library
Undergraduate Advisor:
Nancy Black
Phone: (631) 632-9404
Website: https://www.somas.stonybrook.edu/