Specialization

What is a Specialization?

Your Specialization can be thought of as the focus of your PitE concentration. 

In addition to a broad understanding of environmental issues and problem-solving tools, you will develop depth in a particular area of environmental science or environmental studies. Your Specialization consists of three 300- or 400-level courses of your choice, based on your particular interests.

To give you some idea of what a Specialization may look like, several examples are provided below. These are merely illustrations and are not a comprehensive of possibilities. The range of Specialization options is as diverse as our students' interests.

Possible Specializations include:

Aquatics/Fish +

  • Environ 311 (Rivers,Lakes and Wetlands)
  • Environ 409 (Ecology of Fishes)
  • Environ 422 (Biology of Fishes)

 

Environmental Economics +

  • Environ 367 Global Enterprise and Sustainable Development
  • Environ375/Econ 370 Environmental and Resource Economics
  • Environ/Geosci 380 Mineral Resources, Economics and the Environment
  • Econ 471 (Environmental Economics)
  • Econ 472 (Intermediate Natural Resource Economics)

 

Environmental Policy +

  • Environ 312 (Environmental Politics and Policy)
  • Environ 365 (International Environmental Policy)
  • Environ 475 (Environmental Law)

Terrestrial Ecology +

  • Environ 337 (Woody Plants)
  • Environ 430 (Soil Property and Processes)
  • EEB 348 (Forest Ecosystems)

Urban Planning +

Choose 3 courses from:

  • Environ 350 (The Built Environment)
  • Environ 360 (Behavior and Environment)
  • Environ 370 (Intro to Urban Planning)
  • History 364 (History of Suburbia)

How do I get my Specialization approved?

To get your Specialization approved, you must submit your 3 course choices with a written rationale defending your selections to the PitE Specialization Committee by the end of your junior year. The committee meets mid-month every month to review proposals. Submit your proposal by turning in the Specialization Worksheet to 1120 USB.

It's never too early to plan your Specialization. If you're having trouble figuring out how to form your Specialization, contact the Concentration Advisor Jaime Langdon (jlangdon@umich.edu) for more information.