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.

Courses applied to the major, except environmental studies courses numbered 401 through 409, must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of C– or better. As many as four upper-division courses may be used to fulfill requirements of another major. 

Environmental Studies Major Requirements

Upper-division credit may be earned through coursework or through a combination of coursework and an honors thesis. Major requirements sheets containing detailed information about specific courses that meet the major requirements are available on the program website, in the program office, or from an SDS flight path Tykeson Advisor.

Approved Courses

Upper-Division Natural Science Courses

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)