- Place-Based Learning in Living Classrooms . In the IC ENVS department the arc of your learning from the first semester to the last is grounded in the stunning Finger Lakes of central New York, with numerous opportunities to learn from the environmental around you.
- Multi-disciplinary Problem-Solving Skills . Earth is in serious trouble and so are we. Environmental scientists are in the strongest position to address the complex problems facing environment and society today through multiple disciplinary perspectives. All science is environmental science. Biology, chemistry, physics, math, computer science and engineering all have environmental dimensions. Environmental science opens doors for work across disciplinary boundaries.
- Environmental science is hands-on . There is no substitute for direct experience. Environmental science is a program designed to put you in touch with the systems you will someday manage. There is real world impact in both what you learn and the application of it.
- Collaborative Learning. It takes teamwork and collaborative thinking to address the environmental challenges of the 21st century. Project-based, collaborative learning is woven into the ENVS experience from start to finish.
- Environmental Career Preparation . Almost every career path needs environmental knowledge. From resource availability to regulatory compliance, entrepreneurs and other innovators need to know the "rules of the game" here on Earth.
- Awe and wonder. Environmental science is an intentional, structured practice of exploration and discovery. Most environmental scientists describe their work as a passion project or a labor of love.