Many concentrators say ESPP's requirements are what make it such a unique concentration.

Concentrators must take two half-courses in biology, two in mathematics or statistics, one or two half-courses in general chemistry, one half-courses in organic chemistry, two half-courses in earth and planetary sciences, two more in economics, ESPP 77, Government 1590, the junior seminar and the sophomore tutorial.

According to McElroy, ESPP concentrators develop a foundation in all the elements of sensible environmental policy-making.

The challenge, he says, is to ensure that the students in the concentration not only have a broad background but that they also develop real expertise in a specific area, such as science, economics or government.

The concentration is limited, he says, because it cannot require students to take more than 16 half-courses in the regular program.

"We're always straining against that rule. We're trying to meet potential concentrators as early as possible," McElroy says.

Graduates of the ESPP concentration say they appreciate the broad base of knowledge of the environment and policy-making they received from the curriculum.

Forrest S. Briscoe '95 does environmental policy consulting at a firm in the Cambridge area. He is currently working on a project to reduce pesticide use in developing countries.

"It requires understanding of the basic science of pesticides, ecology of farms, the policy mechanisms of regulation and international political economy," he says.

He says his field is genuinely interdisciplinary and requires the background he gained in ESPP.

He says he plans to go to graduate school next year to earn his Ph.D. He says he will study corporate environmental strategy and the interaction between businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations.

David A. Miller '95 agrees that the interdisciplinary requirements of the concentration were successful in integrating the different concepts involved in environmental problem solving.

He also works in a field related to ESPP, doing environmental research regarding policy and business decision-making for Tellus Institute, a non-profit organization.

Too Disjointed and Idealistic

Some students and faculty involved with ESPP say there are still improvements to be made in the concentration. And there are some students who flatly criticize the program.