Environmental Studies (BA/BS)

The environmental studies major provides students with opportunities to work alongside world-class scholars and researchers, develop concrete skills and analytical abilities, and gain hands-on experience solving environmental issues. The environmental studies major emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to environmental topics that combines the natural sciences, social sciences, policy studies, sustainable design, and the humanities. The curriculum includes environmentally-related courses taught by more than 100 participating faculty from 30 campus programs and departments.

The environmental studies major is flexible, allowing you to tailor coursework with a focal point of your choice to meet specific educational and career goals. We prioritizes practical learning experiences where you will link theory to practice and build transferable skills through internships, research, and community involvement. Our Environmental Leadership Program and a robust internship program offer capstone experiences for undergraduate students that provide training in teamwork, time management, communication, and problem solving skills that are increasingly valued in all careers.

Program's Admission Requirements

Please visit the program's website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Articulate the contributions from the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities in understanding environmental issues.
• Articulate major root causes of environmental problems and avenues for addressing them.
• Discuss several key concepts within the field of environmental studies (e.g. sustainability, environmental justice, climate change, humans varied ways of understanding and representing nature, the relationship between nature and culture), drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills, including the ability to: a) Critically analyze environmental information, data and problems; b) Interpret a variety of environmental writings; c) Synthesize diverse information sources; d) Communicate effectively through written and oral communication.

Environmental Studies Major Requirements

The Environmental Studies major is customizable, allowing students to tailor their coursework to meet specific education and career goals. Students can concentrate on focal areas of their choosing and select from a variety of courses across disciplines, which provides students with a robust, well-rounded educational experience. The major requires a minimum of 92 credits including 56 upper-division credits. Except for ENVS 401-409, all courses applied to the major or minor must be graded, and a C- or better must be earned in all graded courses. As many as four upper-division courses may be used to fulfill the requirements of another major. Major requirements sheets containing detailed information about specific courses are available on the Environmental Studies website, in the Environmental Studies office, or by visiting an advisor in Tykeson Hall. 

¹

Recommended course; however, a university-level mathematics course that counts toward the bachelor of science mathematics requirement fulfills the requirement. 

Approved Courses

¹

These courses cannot be used with the Life Science sequence.

Upper-Division Natural Science Courses

¹

If 8 credits, then counts as 2 courses.

²

Only one course of ERTH 30X will apply.

Upper-Division Social Science, Policy, Humanities, and Design Courses

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies (Policy and Social Science Focus)

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies (Humanities and Sustainable Design Focus)