and rivers, rain forest and wetland loss, toxic substances in food chains, massive oil spills, loss of biodiversity, and general deterioration of the biosphere.

In light of the pace of population growth, the pressures of the economy, and the shifting regulation policies of the government, the resulting environmental degradation has led the general public and educators alike to confront and understand the crucial importance of environmental education for all students. Currently thirty one states, including Kentucky, have some form of mandated environmental education in the public schools' curricula. However, Dr. Gerald Liberman of the State Education and Environmental Roundtable estimates that only 5% of the schools in the nation have been able to implement an effective environmental education program [Liberman and Moody. Closing the Achievement Gap. San Diego: State Education and Environmental Roundtable, 1998]. Therefore, leadership is urgently needed in this area, and this proposal attempts to address the issue in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by providing graduate training for teachers.

Scientists and professionals, after achieving a solid disciplinary education in science-related fields as undergraduates, are needed to study an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to deal with these environmental problems. The environmental studies graduate program at KSU is designed to cut across traditional academic disciplines and colleges in order to provide sound, effective graduate education and research on these important environmental issues. In light of the current global environmental situation and a sense of urgency to immediate action, KSU believes it is just a matter of time before one of the public institutions of higher education in Kentucky takes the initiative in this rapidly emerging field. KSU is uniquely qualified to be the institution to take the lead in this field in the Commonwealth, and it provides KSU with an incredible opportunity to expand its graduate offerings.

The primary goal of the KSU MES program is the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge in the field of environmental studies using a multidisciplinary approach. The program will broaden the scope of scientific and technological study of the environment through a multidisciplinary approach based on ecological principles encompassing the social and legal aspects of environmental concerns. The field includes, but is not limited to, studies of toxicology, environmental impact, population and community ecology,

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