What is E.P.I.B.?
The major in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior (EPIB) examines the human dimensions of environmental problems. It addresses such issues as how human actions affect the environment and how humans are affected by the environment; how societies adapt to changes in natural resource availability and environmental change; and how individuals, nations, and international agencies respond to environmental hazards. Courses in the program deal with local, regional, and national differences in the use of resources; with social and environmental aspects of health and illness; with alternative strategies for environmental management; with the ethical, moral, and legal dimensions of environmental and resource issues; and with the roles of governmental and non-governmental agencies in environmental affairs.
The objectives of the curriculum are to teach basic concepts and methods from the social, biological, and physical sciences as they relate to the interactions among people and the environment; to train students in the techniques of empirical research; to provide opportunities for experiences in "real world" situations; to guide students in acquiring practical skills such as environmental assessment, professional writing, data analysis, and demographic analysis; and to broaden students' knowledge regarding environmental problems and how people cope with them.
What type of degree will I earn?
Students in any EPIB option receive the Bachelors of Science (BS) degree. EPIB is a social sciences major, but students earn a “sciences” bachelor rather than an “arts” bachelor degree because the science core requirements at the SEBS are higher.
What is the math requirement?
The School of Environmental Sciences (SEBS) requires students to either place into Precalculus or higher OR to complete Intermediate Algebra (01:640:026). For the EPIB major's quantitative methods requirement, students also need to complete a total of 6 credits:
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Either 01:960:211 (Statistics I) or 01:960:401 (Basic Statistics for Research),* AND
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11:374:201 (Research Methods, with a C or above)
*Note: Although EPIB majors only need to place into PreCalculus or higher, you need to take PreCalculus Part I (01:640:111) or a higher course as a prerequisite for the required statistics courses, Statistics or Basis Statistics for Research. Alternatively, some students prefer to take an equivalent Statistics course at a community college.
What is the Pass/No-credit Option?
Certain courses are offered on a Pass/No Credit basis. These courses are indicated by the credit prefix P/NC in the course listings in the catalog and in the Schedule of Classes. The credits earned on a Pass/No Credit basis count toward the credits required for graduation but are not included in the calculation of the cumulative grade-point average. Students who have completed 60 degree credits also may register for two unspecified elective courses (no more than one per term) on a Pass/No Credit basis. Caron Chess explains “EPIB Students who want environmental jobs may find they need more science. Pass/no credit courses make it easier for EPIB students to take more difficult classes.” BUT you cannot take one of these Pass/No Credit science courses until you finish ALL of your science requirements. A grade of C or better must be achieved in order to convert the instructor's grade to a Pass. Forms are available in the SEBS Office of Academic and Student Programs and must be submitted by the end of the second week of the term. Once elected officially, the Pass/No Credit designation may not be restored to a letter grade.
What are the rules for Academic Integrity?
Faculty shares the responsibility for educating students about the importance and principles of academic integrity. Individual faculty members are also responsible for informing students of the particular expectations regarding academic integrity within individual courses. If there is an issue or a violation, contact Karen O’Neill (koneill@aesop.rutgers.edu) who will provide you with the proper and relevant forms. (academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/integrity.shtml)
What does the EPIB minor involve?
Minor requires 21 credits:
- Must take 11:374:101 - Introduction to Human Ecology
- At total of 5 courses of which 3 must be at the 300 or 400 level: (examples, more options available)
- 11:374:225 Environment & Health in Society
- 11:374:269 Population, Resources & Environment
- 11:374:312 Environmental History
- 11:374:313 US Environmental Policy
- 11:374:314 Natural Resources Policy
- 11:374:315 International Environmental Policy
Do SEBS Requirements overlap with Human Ecology classes?
Yes, they do! For the general SEBS you need 6 at least credits of Multicultural and International Studies. All of the following EPIB classes fulfill that requirement - each class is 3 credits, so you will need to take at least 2 courses.
- 11:374:101 Introduction to Human Ecology
- 11:374:269 Population, Resources, and Environment
- 11:374:314 Natural Resource Policy
- 11:374:315 International Environmental Policy
- 11:374:331 Culture and Environment
- 11:374:341 Social and Ecological Aspects of Health and Disease
- 11:374:438 Topics in Health, Food, and Environment - Health in the Latino Community
You also need a total of 9 credits for the Human Behavior, Economic Systems, and Political Processes requirement.
- These EPIB courses fill the HUMAN BEHAVIOR requirement
- 11:374:322 Environmental Behavior
- 11:374:335 Communities and Environmental Change
- These EPIB courses fill the HUMAN BEHAVIOR requirement
- 11:374:279 Politics of Environmental Issues
- 11:374:313 U.S. Environmental Policy
Other Questions? Contact Kristin Goodrich, our (very well informed) department administrator.