Undergraduate students majoring in Environmental Sciences are required to complete 3-credits of Experiential Learning. Through completion of this requirement, students gain practical experience in a real-world setting, increase their community network, and explore future careers and professions.
There are many ways that Environmental Science students can fulfill this requirement:
- Internship on or off campus with faculty oversight (paid or unpaid)
- Research or independent study with a faculty member at Rutgers (faculty member can be from another department or school)
- Experiential learning courses offered by Rutgers
- Study abroad (as approved by Environmental Sciences UPD)
- Research through Aresty Research Center or George H. Cook Scholars program
Note: students can apply Experiential Learning courses from other undergraduate programs toward their Environmental Science experiential learning requirement. Contact the UPD for approval.
Internship in Environmental Sciences 11:375:487-488:
Participating in internships is a great way to learn about different careers and professions within the broad environmental science field. Students will need to: (1) develop 3 learning objectives for the internship with help from their supervisor, (2) register for the internship course, (3) complete 45-hours work per course credit (135 hours for 3-credits) of satisfactory performance and (4) submit a reflection essay on the experience at the end of the internship.
To earn credit for an internship, students should complete the Experiential Learning form and email it to the Environmental Sciences UPD. If approved, students will receive an SPN to register for this internship course. The grade in this course is Pass/No Credit.
Research in Environmental Sciences 11:375:497-498:
Students can fulfill their Experiential Learning by conducting research or working on an independent project with a Rutgers faculty member. The supervising faculty member can be member of any department or school at Rutgers. Students can learn about faculty’s research interests on departmental websites. To complete research or independent project, students will need to: (1) develop 3 learning objectives and expectations for the project with your faculty advisor, (2) register for the research course, (3) complete 45-hours work per course credit (135 hours for 3-credits) and (4) submit a report or summary document as determined at the start which includes a reflection on the experience.
Students should complete the Experiential Learning form and email it to the Environmental Sciences UPD. If approved, students will receive an SPN to register for Research in Environmental Sciences 11:375:497-498. This course will be graded as a letter grade.
Experiential Learning courses offered at Rutgers:
There are many Experiential Learning courses available at Rutgers that Environmental Science students can participate in to fulfill their Experiential Learning requirement. Students should seek approval from the UPD to see if a course they are taking could apply.
Pre-approved courses are list below:
Internships offered by EPIB / Department of Human Ecology:
- 11:374:481 Internship in Watershed Management
- 11:374:482 Internships in Climate Action
- 11:374:483 Internships in Science Communication
- 11:374:484 Internships in Sustainability
Teaching and Pedagogy
Learning Assistants and FIGS Peer instructors can apply their pedagogical training to their Experiential learning requirements. Contact the Environmental Sciences UPD for more information.
Learn more about these programs:
Learning Assistant Programs – how to apply
Peer Instructor for the First-Year Interest Group Seminars (FIGS)