Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (En.D.) program is an undergraduate program in the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture that gives students who want to make a difference the know-how and ability to work on critical community issues. From revitalizing historic downtowns to imagining new neighborhoods, En.D. students learn about problems that are worth solving to make places that matter for people.

Website: https://architecture.ou.edu/environmental/

Gibbs College of Architecture
Gould Hall
830 Van Vleet Oval
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325-2444

Degree:

• Environmental Design, B.S.

Environmental Studies prepares you for interdisciplinary efforts to solve environmental problems. Our majors learn skills and ideas from multiple academic disciplines, and experience the cross-disciplinary teamwork that generates effective environmental knowledge. Environmental Studies is inherently interdisciplinary because the environment is all-encompassing. Rather than offering a specific academic discipline alongside others, OU's Environmental Studies Program is a place where disciplines overlap, providing an opportunity to interact across their boundaries, and to create a dynamic approach to the environment that responds to multiple sources of knowledge.

Website: https://www.ou.edu/cas/environmentalstudies

Environmental Studies
Physical Science Center
601 Elm Ave, Rm 511
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325-0595

Degrees:

• Environmental Studies, B.A.
• Biological Conservation, Minor
• Environmental Studies, Minor
• Water Sciences, Minor

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability studies how human societies can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Achieving this goal requires balancing short- and long-term needs related to jobs and economic growth, societal well-being, and environmental health. Students typically have interests in how individuals, organizations and societies can affect the environment, and creating a better world in which to live. This degree enables students to develop the necessary technical skills to address relevant environmental and societal problems, including skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical and spatial reasoning, and remote sensing. The nature of the degree allows for flexibility, as multiple electives and degree options are available.

Geography

Geographers integrate knowledge of culture, society and the economy with understanding of the earth’s physical system and biosphere in order to provide a holistic perspective on human-environment relationships. This integrative perspective is vital to understanding and addressing the world’s complex problems, including renewable energy, environmental change, and indigenous cultures in a globalizing world.

Website: https://www.ou.edu/ags/geography

Geography and Environmental Sustainability
100 East Boyd Street
SEC Suite 510
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325-5325

Degrees:

• Environmental Sustainability: Culture & Society, B.A.
• Environmental Sustainability: Culture & Society, B.S.
• Environmental Sustainability: Planning & Management, B.A.
• Environmental Sustainability: Planning & Management, B.S.
• Environmental Sustainability: Science & Natural Resources, B.A.
• Environmental Sustainability: Science & Natural Resources, B.S.
• Environmental Sustainability, Minor

• Geography: Physical and Social Sciences BA (pdf)
• Geography BS (pdf)

The School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma is the largest such program in the nation, with approximately 250 undergraduate and nearly 90 graduate students. The School is routinely ranked near the top of the nation in terms of undergraduate awards, such as the annual number of undergraduate scholarships awarded from the NOAA Hollings and American Meteorological Society (AMS) programs. For example, our students received 7 of the 23 Named Scholarships of the AMS. Our graduate students are also quite successful in competing for awards with a Blue Water and Marshall Sherfield Fellowship among the top honors. Our students have received numerous best poster and best oral presentation awards at recent conferences and symposium.

The undergraduate and graduate programs are unique due to our co-location with NOAA, Department of Interior, and Department of Energy programs as well as several university strategic organizations, which broaden the education, training and research portfolio of the School.

Website: http://meteorology.ou.edu/

School of Meteorology
120 David L Boren Blvd.
Suite 5900
Norman, OK 73072
(405) 325-6561

Degree:

• Weather and Climate, Minor

Environmental geologists apply geological, geochemical, and geophysical techniques to develop sustainable relationships between the earth and its inhabitants. They work to assess the potential environmental impacts of human activities, prevent future pollution, perform environmental monitoring, protect our natural resources, and assist in the cleanup of contaminated sediments and waters. Additionally, environmental geologists work with engineers to support construction projects and prevent damage from natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

Website: https://www.ou.edu/mcee/geosciences/undergraduate_degrees/bachelor-geology

School of Geosciences
Sarkeys Energy Center
100 East Boyd Street, RM 710
Norman, Oklahoma 73019
(405) 325-3253

Degree:

• Environmental Geology, B.S.

Using the principles of physics, biology and chemistry, environmental engineers develop methods to meet environmental challenges such as water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, solid and hazardous waste management, waste recycling, and water resources management. Environmental engineers understand and protect us from environmental hazards, and learn to build solid structures without polluting the environment. OU Students have the opportunity to specialize in water and wastewater engineering, solid and hazardous wastes engineering or hydrology/water resources with their environmental engineering degree.

Environmental scientists take on the vital role of preservation, conservation and restoration of the environment. OU's environmental science program is designed to produce well-prepared professionals familiar with the intricacies of collecting and analyzing air, water and soil samples; monitoring compliance with environmental laws and regulations; assisting industries in environmental compliance and development of sustainable cost effective technologies; and addressing public audiences on local, regional and global environmental challenges.

Website: https://www.ou.edu/coe/cees/undergrad_programs

Civil Engineering & Environmental Science
202 W. Boyd St., Room 334
Norman, OK 73019-1024
(405) 325-5911

Degrees:

• Environmental Engineering, B.S.
• Environmental Science, B.S.
• Environmental Science, Minor
• Water and Sanitation for Health and Sustainable Development, Minor

Drawing on the interdisciplinary framework of IAS, students in this major receive training that emphasizes policy, management, and sustainability in an international context. After fulfilling a Foundations of GEER requirement, students take courses in three areas of concentration: Energy, Climate, and Environment; Global Environmental Sustainability and Ethics; and International Society and Environment. Students then specialize in one region of the world, allowing them to combine their thematic interest with area studies expertise. Students will receive real world experience by interning or engaging in service learning with either an energy company or an internationally-oriented environmental NGO. This major provides students with the skills they need to succeed in an international field with growing employment opportunities.

Website: https://www.ou.edu/cis/ias/undergrad-academics/majors/global-energy--environment--and-resources

International & Area Studies
729 Elm Ave.
Farzaneh Hall (formerly Hester Hall), Room 304
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325-1584

Degree:

• Global Energy, Environment, and Resources, B.A.
• Global Energy, Environment, and Resources, Minor