Human - Environment Relations
The Human-Environment Relations Master of Science program at Cornell University offers an interdisciplinary and research focused academic pathway for students who want to understand how environmental conditions influence human behavior, comfort, health, and decision making. The curriculum blends environmental psychology, spatial design, ecological principles, and analytical methods to help learners examine how people interact with built and natural environments. With a strong emphasis on environmental behavior, the program equips students with conceptual and scientific tools to investigate how environmental features affect performance, well being, and user experience across homes, workplaces, public spaces, and natural ecosystems. This integrated structure supports a broad understanding of environmental impacts on individuals and communities.
Throughout this one year program, learners work with faculty specializing in environmental evaluation, spatial analysis, building science, human centered design, and ecological assessment. Through research guided coursework, data analysis, observational methods, and applied environmental studies, students develop skills in spatial assessment, environmental measurement, and behavioral interpretation. The academic environment promotes interdisciplinary thinking by linking human factors, environmental quality, and scientific inquiry, allowing students to analyze environmental challenges through both social and ecological perspectives. This combination of analytical rigor and applied evaluation prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to environmental planning, design improvement, and human centered environmental assessment.
Key information
Key Facts
- Program Title: Human - Environment Relations
- Degree Type: Master of Science
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode of Study: Full-time, On Campus
- Application Deadline: 01 December 2025
- Location: Cornell University, United States
- Field of Study: Earth Sciences
- Language of Instruction: English
Program Structure
Semester 1
• Foundations of Human-Environment Studies
• Environmental Psychology and Human Factors
• Research Methods for Environmental and Behavioral Analysis
• Elective in Design, Ecology, or Environmental Planning
Semester 2
• Environmental Assessment and Spatial Evaluation
• Applied Research Project in Human-Environment Studies
• Data Interpretation for Social and Environmental Systems
• Elective in Public Health, Sustainability, or Environmental Design
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program pursue impactful roles across environmental design, research, sustainability, and planning, frequently joining environmental assessment firms, design and planning organizations, research institutions, and public health and environmental agencies. Their strong preparation in environmental measurement, behavioral analysis, and spatial evaluation enables them to contribute to environmental quality assessments, user experience studies, planning initiatives, and environmental impact evaluations. With interdisciplinary scientific and analytical capabilities, they support organizations in improving environmental conditions, enhancing user well being, and guiding sustainable design decisions.
Why Choose This Program
This program is an excellent choice for students who want to explore the intersection of human behavior and environmental conditions, offering opportunities to develop advanced environmental insight and strong analytical capability supported by Cornell’s interdisciplinary expertise. Through research based learning, observational analysis, and environmental evaluation, learners gain the tools to assess environmental influences, interpret behavioral responses, and design strategies that improve both environmental quality and human experience. Its focused one year format provides efficient, scientifically grounded preparation for meaningful roles in environmental consulting, human centered design, planning, and applied environmental research.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 607 255 2000
Email: admissions@cornell.edu
Address: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
