Caitlin Pierce ’09
ENVS and Econ double major; Pre-law possibly
F08-S09 D-plan: R-R-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: My favorite thing about the department is how much you can customize the major to your interests. While you are required to take one course in each of such areas as international environment, environment and policy, environment and economics, and environmental science, the core of your individual major is composed of four courses of your choosing. Additionally, the department is very amenable to you using courses from other departments to complete your major. For example, if environmental sciences is your main interest, you can use courses taken in the Earth Sciences or Biology departments to form your four core courses. My least favorite thing about the department is a lack of direction in finding this focus.

Important info for potential majors: Take courses in other departments that interest you and complement your environmental studies major. Chances are that you will ultimately be able to use them for your major, and your major will be much stronger and more inspiring to you if it’s based off courses that you’re passionate about. Also, ask around the department for research and funding opportunities—there are a lot more than you might expect!

Talk to me if: you’re interested in environmental sciences or environmental economics. (I’m a double major in ENVS and ECON)

Most valuable academic information learned: The best way to get the most out of every class is to engage with your professors. As long as you go about it in a genuine way, they will welcome your inquiries and class will be much more rewarding. Additionally, don’t be deterred by a major just because you think it’s “not for you.” Except for prerequisites, you often times have much more say in the content and focus of your major than you may think.

Favorite class and professor:My favorite class in the department is a close tie between Environmental Health (28) with Bill Roebuck and Natural Resource Economics (56) with Richard Howarth. Environmental Health gives you a great sense of the different chemical and biological hazards that pose a “hidden” threat to health, and Bill assigns several papers that allow you to explore any environmental health issue that you wish. Professor Howarth’s class puts a very interesting perspective on social, economic, and environmental justice issues.

Major classes taken:ENVS 15, 28, 36, 40, 42, 56, 84; EARS 1, 28; Juneau Icefield Research Program (transfer term, University of Idaho)

Major journey: I originally thought I might want to be an Earth Sciences and Government double major. I took several courses in both those fields, but ultimately I decided that I was more interested in incorporating different aspects into my study of the environment—science, economic, governmental—than the Earth Sciences major would allow. Environmental Studies fit this niche well.

Major specific activities: Presidential Scholars Research with Richard Howarth (ENVS/ECON)

Thesis status: I plan to do an environmental econ thesis with Professor Howarth relating to the economics of the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol.

Other activities: Outdoor Leadership mentor; Women in Science intern; DOC trip leader; War and Peace Fellow; RWit Tutor

Off Campus Program: Environmental Studies FSP in South Africa, 07F; Transfer term with University of Idaho, Juneau Icefield Research Program, 06X

Internship experience: Department of Justice, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, W08, Washington DC

Carrie Rosenblum ’10
Major in Environmental Studies and either a major or minor in Geography
F08-S09 D-plan: R-R-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: My favorite thing is the small size of the department, allowing majors to get to know each other and the professors very well. Most of the classes are not overwhelmingly large, and I think the overall atmosphere of the department is comfortable, friendly and accessible. My least favorite aspect of the program is the strong emphasis on environmental policy and dearth of more science-based options.

Important info for potential majors: Get to know your professors! Take advantage of office hours and engage your profs outside of the classroom— they want to talk to you! The intimate size of the department invites students to really get to know professors, and for me, these connections have helped me to gain a lot more out of the program than I ever could have on my own.

Talk to me if: you are curious about environmental education/interpretation or if you have many different academic interests and are wondering if pursuing Environmental Studies is right for you.

Most valuable academic information learned: Education does not just occur in the classroom. ENVS classes provide you with a solid framework that you can use apply and expand your knowledge in outside situations. Some of the most important things I have learned have come from off campus and self-initiated experiences. Also, follow your interests as closely as you can, rather than taking classes just to fulfill requirements.

Favorite class and professor: ENVS 7 was my writing seminar that I took my freshman fall with Professor Sneddon. This class introduced me to and peaked my interest in the field of Environmental Studies. Another favorite class that will count towards my ENVS major was GEOG 40 with Professor Freidberg. By learning about and analyzing case studies in Africa, this class helped me become a more critical thinker concerning complex environmental and developmental issues.

Major classes taken: ENVS 3, 7, 25, 39; GEOG 40; CHEM 3

Major journey: When I entered Dartmouth, I was planning on majoring in romance languages. However, after taking my freshman seminar in the Environmental Studies department, I decided to give up French literature for good. Although I have found other ways to pursue my love of languages at Dartmouth, I decided to devote my academic focus to Environmental Studies, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with that decision.

Major specific activities: I hope to do Presidential Scholar research this year with Professor Sneddon, working on an environmental history of American influence on third world dam development during the mid-20th century.

Thesis status: Unsure

Other activities: DOC- Cabin and Trail; French and Italian tutor; XC Ski PE Instructor; HHMI Science Mentor- Science teacher to 4th grade class; Admissions Tour Guide; DOC Trip Leader ’08, Moosilauke Ravine Lodge- Crew Member 08S

Off Campus Program: Italian LSA+ in Rome, 07F; ENVS FSP in Southern Africa, 08F

Internship experience: In 07X, I was an interpretation intern with the National Park Service at Assateague Island National Seashore in Virginia. I spent ten weeks learning about the park and creating and presenting my own interpretive programs to the public, including an aquarium talk, beach walk, marsh walk, beach campfire, night hike and creature feature. I also assisted with Marine Explorers and surf fishing programs, staffed the Visitor Center desk and interacted informally with visitors.

Sean Milich ’09
Double major: Environmental Studies; Economics modified with History
F08-S09 D-plan: R-R-O(on-campus)

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: The environmental studies department has an outstanding major curriculum. The department requires students to follow a specific track that guarantees them exposure to the science, economics, and policy of the environment. The major also allows students to pick 4 upper-level courses of their choice, thus allowing students to see if they would like to engage in one of the three core aspects of the major. I would like to see the department work with the economics and government departments more closely to recruit students drawn to these popular majors, but who are also interested in environmental pursuits.

Important info for potential majors: Try pairing environmental studies courses with relevant courses from other departments. The classes will complement each other well and help you maintain focus on a specific idea each term. Look at history, economic, and hard science courses that may be a good potential fit for upper level environmental studies courses.

Talk to me if: you are interested in renewable energy or environmental problems in developing countries.

Most valuable academic information learned: It is extremely important to take classes that actually interest you. If you wouldn’t enjoy reading the material for a class in a non-academic setting, you won’t enjoy reading it for class. Engage in dialogue with professors during office hours and other students and groups on campus who share your academic interests, it will reflect on your ability to understand course material.

Favorite class and professor: My favorite course was ENVS 56, environmental economics. Professor Fisher-Vanden used a number of case studies to highlight the ideas and concepts studied in class. Combining my interest in the environment and economics, the course examined cost-benefit analysis, externality costs and other economic principles as they relate to the environment.

Major classes taken: ENVS 2, 3, 12, 28, 39, 56, 58

Major journey: I have always had a strong interest in the environment and how our past and present actions affect our future environment. Because it is a relatively new field of study, the material is exciting, dynamic, and the material covered is extremely topical to the problems we face today. After taking ENVS 2 my freshman fall with Professor Friedland, I knew I wanted to pursue a major in environmental studies.

Major specific activities: Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) dormitory representative: Extend ECO recycling and sustainability policies and practices to almost 200 students Sustainability Chair, Alpha Delta Fraternity: Collaborate with the inter-fraternity council to implement recycling programs in my fraternity

Other activities: Student Movement for Real Change (SRMC), founding member; Men’s Varsity Soccer Team; Thetford Mentoring, Student-Athlete Mentor

Off Campus Program: Spanish LSA in Mexico, 07W; Intended: ENVS FSP in South Africa, 09F

Internship experience: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. 08W, Washington D.C; New Energy Finance, Provide data to investors on renewable energy and low carbon technologies. 08X, New York City

Erica Boyce ’10
Environmental Studies and English/Creative Writing(double-major)
F08-S09 D-plan: R(exchange)-R-R

Favorite and least favorite thing about department: My favorite thing about the Environmental Studies department is that it’s so small that it’s impossible to disappear within the department; you’ll pretty much always be in touch with the administrators and professors, which is really helpful when it comes to finding out about things like guest lectures and special lunches. It’s also a very flexible major—beyond the core courses, you can pretty much do whatever you want with it and pick your own concentration. My least favorite thing about the department is that because it is so small, there isn’t a huge amount of classes offered within it, so you really have to go out on your own and look for classes that will fit into your concentration.

Important info for potential majors: Definitely get to know Professor Friedland. As chair of the department, he can help you pick classes, let you know about stipends for internships, and just give you general advice about making your way through the major. Also, if there’s a book you need for a class that’s missing from Baker-Berry, check the Hornig Library!

Talk to me if: you’re interested in the Twelve College Exchange or in combining a double major with more than one term off-campus, or if you’re having trouble finding an environmental studies-related internship

Most valuable academic information learned: ) Go to office hours! Your professors are a great resource, and for the most part, they’re more than willing to help you out. Also, it is possible to spend a year off-campus or triple-major or whatever—it just requires a good deal of planning and initiative. Really, though, your time here at Dartmouth can be whatever you make of it, so take advantage of that!

Favorite class and professor: ENVS 56 was a fascinating (and extremely relevant) class. Prof. Fisher-Vanden is great at explaining things—and she’s really helpful in office hours. Prof. Friedland is also an awesome professor; his enthusiasm is contagious, and he’s very careful about being nonpartisan in his lectures, which is a difficult thing to do in this field. ENVS 72, meanwhile, was a very fun way of getting a unique perspective on environmental issues and nature in general.

Major classes taken: ENVS 2, 12, 56, 72; BIOL 16; ECON 1; GEOG 14

Major journey: I came to Dartmouth knowing I wanted to be a creative writing major and thinking that I wanted to take some classes in environmental studies, which I’d never had any experience with before. After taking ENVS 2, I thought I wanted to minor in ENVS—and after talking to Prof. Friedland, I was convinced to become a major. Now I’m thinking about possibly writing a thesis...

Major specific activities: Spanish RWIT tutor

Thesis status: I’m hoping to write a senior thesis somehow related to marine resources, but I’m really not sure at all yet.

Other activities: Programming Board; RWiT – writing assistant; PB’s delegation to the Undergraduate Finance Committee

Off Campus Program: Bowdoin College exchange term, 08F; Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT, 09W-S

Internship experience: After a lot of searching, I became the ecological management and education coordination intern at the Massachusetts Audubon Society Stony Brook Wildlife Preserve in Norfolk, MA in 08W, where I organized some natural educational programs and basically did a lot of fun, nature- and public outreach-related odd jobs.