Environmental Studies

Dr. Patricia Redden, Director

The Environmental Studies major will prepare students interested in the environment to enter the corporate world, government, media, community-based organizations, or the legal profession. Although based on a solid science foundation, it is not focused on students who are interested in a career in science. Students majoring in Environmental Studies will be able to:

• synthesize and apply knowledge from the natural and social sciences, business and the humanities to the study of environmental issues;
• critically analyze environmental issues using an interdisciplinary approach;
• incorporate ethical and legal concepts in the examination of environmental issues;
• apply principles of economics and political strategies for the betterment of the environment;
• use problem solving, creativity, and the scientific method to generate solutions to environmental problems and maximize sustainability;
• distinguish between scientific and emotional arguments;
• integrate and apply issues elated to social justice into an understanding of environmental issues and policies;
• integrate theory and practice through field and/or internship experiences.
  In addition to the basic science and mathematics courses, students will take five
  interdisciplinary courses, including an entry level course, a capstone course, and
  an internship or field experience. They will select a concentration in social science,
  communications and media, or interdisciplinary studies. A concentration in business
  may be added in the future.

Requirements for Environmental Studies, Bachelor of Science Degree

In addition to fulfilling the core requirements (60 credits), students majoring in Environmental Studies must complete the following courses: 

Special Notes on Core Requirements

1. The core curriculum natural science requirement for Environmental Studies majors is fulfilled by Ch125-126 and Bi183. Majors in Environmental Studies should not take Ns110, Scientific Literacy.
2. The mathematics requirement for Environmental Studies majors is fulfilled by Ma132 and either Ma105 or Ma133.
3. The values core requirement is fulfilled by En300.
4. Students majoring in Environmental Studies are recommended to take Ec100, Introduction to Economics, and Po100, Perspectives on Politics, for the core social science requirement.

Special Notes on Concentrations in the Environmental Studies Major

Students majoring in Environmental Studies are required to take three courses (9 credits) in any one of the following concentrations. Decisions on the choice of concentration and individual courses should be made after consultation with the faculty advisor.