Institute at Brown for Environment and Society

Undergraduate Education

Discover how IBES equips students with the tools to tackle today’s pressing and multifaceted environmental challenges.

Students in IBES' Environmental Sciences and Studies (ENVS) concentration tackle our most pressing climate and sustainability challenges through an education rooted in interdisciplinary exploration and innovative problem-solving. 

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 broad understanding of the
    environment from multiple perspectives.
  • 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

Recent IBES news for undergrads

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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Environmental Studies & Sciences concentrator Caitlyn Carpenter '26 is a coauthor of this study.
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