Dr. Bob Sandmeyer
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Environmental & Sustainability Studies
bob.sandmeyer@uky.eduEnvironmental & Sustainability Studies (ENS) is an interdisciplinary field that examines the social and environmental understandings, causes, consequences, and policy responses to important environmental issues taking place around the world such as global climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The program draws insights from the humanities and the social and natural sciences to provide students with interdisciplinary critical thinking skills. In doing so, students will have a better understanding of contemporary environmental problems, policies, and solutions. This important major provides students with the capacity to not only understand, but also affect positive changes for environmental sustainability.
The ENS B.A. degree will provide students with a broad liberal-arts education in environmental studies within the context of sustainability. The ENS B.A. was designed to be compatible with other disciplinary subjects so students can double major or minor with the ENS B.A. ENS students will obtain the fundamental knowledge required to understand the relationships that exist between the environment and society, important and pressing environmental problems facing the world today, and better solutions for addressing those issues. The program will develop the critical thinking, communication, and independent study skills necessary for students to pursue careers in environmental sustainability. These include policy work at city, state, federal and international environmental agencies, sustainable business, education and law (with appropriate training), non-governmental organizations, and many more depending on the students’ interests.
Career opportunities in Environmental and Sustainability Studies
The Environmental and Sustainability Studies major educates students in a broad range of fundamental environmental studies subjects with concepts of sustainability integrated throughout the curriculum. Majors will combine the fundamental knowledge they obtain in three areas -- economics, environment, and society -- to develop an understanding of sustainability and how sustainable practices can be implemented. This is an ideal double major for other disciplinary degrees.
Any student earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete a minimum of 39 hours at the 300+ level. These hours are generally completed by the major requirements. However, keep this hour requirement in mind as you choose your course work for the requirements in the major. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Arts and Sciences section of the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin.
Total Credit Hours - 30
Core Requirements
Area of Expertise
Total Hours - 42
B.A. Four Year PlanEnvironmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$50,660
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
35,000
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
2,000
new jobs (average)
Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreUnderstanding that over 70 percent of university students will change their declared major at least once during their college careers, the College of Arts and Sciences has developed an Exploratory Studies program for students who have yet to decide the specific field of study that most closely aligns both their personal interests and their professional career goals and objectives. The Exploratory Studies Program provides students with an extraordinarily diverse educational environment that includes coursework spanning Math and Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences and provides students with the unique opportunity to explore multiple areas of interest during their first several semesters on campus. For more information please contact a recruiting representative at asrecruting@uky.edu.
Environmental engineering technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$50,560
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
17,900
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
1,500
new jobs (average)
Most environmental engineering technicians work full time. They typically work indoors, usually in laboratories, and often have regular working hours. However, they must sometimes work irregular hours in order to monitor operations.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreSource: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$78,980
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
80,500
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
4,900
new jobs (average)
Environmental scientists and specialists work in offices and laboratories. Some may spend time in the field gathering data and monitoring environmental conditions firsthand. Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read MoreWhile there are endless ways to create an unforgettable journey as a Wildcat, we can only think of one that gives you the chance to step outside the classroom and into exploring new parts of the world around you: participating in an Education Abroad opportunity! Whether it’s in a study, research, service, or internship program, taking your UK experience international with EA is the most hands-on way for you to expand your global perspective while making yourself a more well-rounded, marketable candidate to future employers no matter your field. As you take these first steps towards investing in your future, EA encourages you to take advantage of all the opportunities UK has to offer. Take a look at some of the many suggested opportunities UK Education Abroad & Exchanges has to complement your major! #ukyabroad
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Dr. Bob Sandmeyer
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Environmental & Sustainability Studies
bob.sandmeyer@uky.eduCollege of Arts & Sciences
202 Patterson Office Tower
