The Environmental Studies Major                                            (previous curriculum for students entering before Fall 2008)

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Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes the relationship between humans and the environment. The Environmental Studies major is a mandatory double major, meaning that students must have a disciplinary academic major in addition to Environmental Studies. The Environmental Studies degree is designed to enhance the student's primary academic major through the study of complex environmental topics. Because the major is interdisciplinary, students learn to examine environmental issues from a variety of perspectives such as economic, scientific, political, religious, and artistic points of view. Students are free to select any primary disciplinary major, and will work with ENVS advisors to select courses that will enhance and broaden the student's knowledge.

What if I want to study Environmental Science instead of Environmental Studies?

Environmental Studies Major

To satisfy the Environmental Studies major, students must take at least eight courses according to the following requirements:

Introduction -- All students must take Environmental Studies 101: Introduction to Environmental Studies, an interdisciplinary course which combines aspects of natural sciences, social sciences, policy, and humanities as they relate to Environmental Studies. This course will also satisfy the social justice/environmental responsibility core requirement.

Environmental Studies Courses -- Students must take six courses in Environmental Studies. For students whose disciplinary major is not in the natural sciences (i.e. Biology, Geology, Chemistry, and Physics), four courses must be in Environmental Science. Students whose major is in the natural sciences must take four non-science Environmental Studies courses. These non-science courses must be from at least two different disciplines. Students may not count courses taken in the same department as their disciplinary major for Environmental Studies credit.

List of Approved Environmental Studies Courses

Depth Requirement -- At least three of a student's six Environmental Studies courses must be at the 300 level or above. For students with a primary major in science, at least two 300 level courses must be from the Policy and Thought category. For students with a non-science primary major, at least two 300 level courses must be from the Science category.

Internships -- There is no specific internship requirement at this time, but students are strongly encouraged to participate in this type of learning opportunity. Depending upon the focus and rigor of your chosen internship (AND with prior approval from the coordinator), your internship may be applied toward one of the science or policy requirements for the degree. Please talk with us about your options!

Capstone -- Students must take an approved IDS 401 course to serve as a capstone experience in the major.

 

Environmental Studies Course Plan for Non-Science Majors   Introduction - ENVS 101 Environmental Science 4 courses, at least two at 300 level Environmental Policy and Thought 2 courses not from major department, at least one at 300 level or above Capstone - Approved IDS 401

Environmental Studies Course Plan for Natural Science Majors   Introduction - ENVS 101 Environmental Policy and Thought 4 courses, at least two at 300 level Environmental Science 2 courses not from major department, at least one at 300 level or above Capstone - Approved IDS 401

 

Click for list of approved Environmental Studies courses