The Environmental Studies Major

For students completing the previous ENVS curriculum (prior to Fall 2008), please click HERE

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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

To satisfy the Environmental Studies major, students must take minimum of 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.

Required Courses -- Students must take PSCI 319, Modern Environmental Problems, and the IDS 472 capstone course Environmental Planning. 

Breadth courses-- Students must select three science courses, one from each category (Level I, II, and III), and at least one elective from the Non-science support courses.  One additional elective is also required, and students are free to choose from any of the approved courses.  Please see the advising checksheet below, which offers an overview of the courses available. 

Advising Checksheet for the ENVS Major

Current List of Approved Environmental Studies Courses

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, we've had students participate in internships with federal agencies, with local environmental groups, and with educational and outreach organizations just to name a few!