Institute at Brown for Environment and Society

Undergraduate Education

Discover how IBES equips students with the skills they need to address the planet's biggest challenges.

Students in IBES' Environmental Sciences and Studies (ENVS) concentration learn how to tackle today’s urgent climate and sustainability challenges through a truly multidisciplinary education. Core faculty with joint appointments across the University—from sociology to geology to anthropology and more—provide diverse perspectives, equipping students with the skills to address complex issues through innovative problem-solving and interdisciplinary exploration.

Through a rigorous set of core courses, track requirements, and a capstone experience — as well as immediate access to real-world research opportunities and expert faculty — students gain the knowledge and skills needed to address the complex relationships between human systems and the natural world. These programs prepare our future leaders to make meaningful contributions toward building a more sustainable and equitable planet.

  • The A.B. in Environmental Sciences and Studies ensures undergraduates obtain a holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of the environment.  
  • The Sc.B. in Environmental Sciences and Studies is a more in-depth treatment of a single field: Climate and Energy; Conservation and Natural Systems; Environmental Justice and Health; or Sustainable Development and Governance. 

Both degrees provide interdisciplinary exposure to the natural and social sciences, as well as public policy.

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Peer Advisors

  • IBES Undergraduate Peer Advisors are available to assist with questions about the curriculum, support available to undergraduates, and to give a fellow student's perspective. 

Administrative 

IBES funds a variety of programs for undergraduates, including our competitive Voss Environmental Fellowships; high-quality, curated summer internships; and funding for summer research experiences.

Of Note

A sampling of the latest IBES news for students and their families

IBES aluma Maggie Bachenberg '22, cofounder of the biking navigation app Pointz, is among Forbes's 30 Under 30 for Transportation & Mobility.
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Oil rigs around the world are habitats for marine species. When they stop producing oil, should they be removed or allowed to stay? ENVS alumnus Asher Radziner '24 authored this article exploring the nuanced answer.
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Help shape the next generation of climate leaders and engage with Brunonians across sectors at this February 7, 2025 event – a partnership between IBES, the Center for Career Exploration and the Watson Institute for International & Public Affairs.
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