about

Department Chair's Message

Welcome to the Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) at George Mason University. ESP grew as a department from a graduate program based on the belief that good environmental science combined with good environmental policy will provide the best approach to sustain environmental and human welfare in the long term. It is our belief that simply knowing how natural systems work or what has been damaged is not sufficient to problem solving. Management approaches to environmental protection and revitalization are inherently a human activity and must be informed by expertise in the policy sciences and the natural sciences. To that end ESP has faculty whose expertise ranges from business and economics to molecular biology.

Faculty and students in ESP work on a wide array of real world issues linking environment and people. Among others these include studies of water quality in the Potomac River basin and the Chesapeake Bay, wetland restoration, biodiversity and environmental compliance in Asia and South America, nuclear power and waste disposal policy, adaptation of indigenous peoples to climate change, greening of business, invasive species distributions, marine mammal protection, and even submarine studies of coral disease and coral reef restoration.

We are particularly excited to announce that beginning in the Fall of 2010, two new undergraduate degree programs in environmental science/studies are available through ESP. We now offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science (http://esp.gmu.edu/undergrad/degrees/index.html), and in collaboration with New Century College, we offer a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (http://ess.gmu.edu/programs/show/LA-BA-EVSS). Both degree programs are based on the concept that every student needs core knowledge and experience, but also needs to specialize. Each student will select one of several concentrations in which to develop expertise and skills.

Our department works closely with the Biology Program, other departments in the College of Science and with departments in other colleges to foster a collegial, supportive environment in which students study and work closely with faculty, staff and fellow students. Our twin main goals are well-educated students and high quality research. We strive for excellence in both. Our faculty are highly talented scholars and teachers, and they are committed to the students in our program and the wider university as well as their research.

If this approach to environmental education and problem solving interests you, please visit us. You can get lots of information on our ESP web site, and we invite you to visit us either on the Fairfax campus or the Prince William campus. Dr. Chris Parsons is our Undergraduate Coordinator and Dr. Al Torzilli is Director of Graduate Programs. Call the department to arrange a visit at 703-993-1043.

Thanks for visiting.

Robert B. Jonas