Environmental Studies Major

The Environmental Studies major/minor is interdisciplinary, approaching the many connections between humans and the environment from a wide variety of perspectives. The program combines courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts.  It also encourages students to be environmental activists.

All Environmental Studies majors and minors are required to take an introductory environmental science course, complete an internship, and participate in the senior level interdisciplinary capstone research seminar. In their coursework, students may select from a wide variety of courses in the natural and social sciences and humanities as they pursue their degree.

The major consists of at least 33 hours, 20 of which are above the introductory level, and leads to a BA degree. The minor consists of at least 18 hours, with 12 hours above the introductory level. See below for specifics.

Environmental Studies students are also strongly encouraged to fulfill their general education/distribution requirements with courses that have special pertinence to the study of the environment. The course list suggests which courses best fit the Environmental Studies program.

Major in Environmental Studies

33 semester hours, including Environmental Studies 49-143 (Environmental Science), 963 (Capstone); one from 49-033, 063, 414, 434, 614; 49-943 or 953; Mathematics 52-113; 17-18 additional hours of Environmental Studies, 10-14 hours of which must be above the introductory level (number of additional hours depends on science course choice above).

Recommended General Education courses for the Major in Environmental Studies: Anthropology 35-103, Chemistry 51-063, Economics 31-013, 443, Philosophy 18-103, 273, Political Science 32-113.

Note: Environmental Studies 49-414, 434, and 614 are advanced courses and have prerequisites, and these prerequisites do not count toward the Environmental Studies major. Students who have a special interest in the natural sciences are encouraged to minor in one of those disciplines, and to include one or more of these advanced classes in your program of study. In planning your minor, keep in mind the University policy that no courses will count toward both your major in Environmental Studies and your minor.

Minor in Environmental Studies

18 semester hours, including Environmental Studies 49-143; one from 49-033, 063, 414, 434, 614; 11-12 additional hours of Environmental Studies, 8-12 hours of which must be above the introductory level (number of additional hours depends on course choices above).