Environmental Studies
Majoring & Minoring
Environmental Studies Major
The Environmental Studies major/minor is interdisciplinary, approaching the many connections between humans and the environment from a wide variety of perspectives. The program combines courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts. It also encourages students to be environmental activists.
All Environmental Studies majors and minors are required to take an introductory environmental studies course, complete an internship, and participate in the senior level interdisciplinary capstone research seminar. In their coursework, students may select from a wide variety of courses in the natural and social sciences and humanities as they pursue their degree. The program introduces students to the viewpoints of both environmentalist thinkers and their critics and encourages students to engage in environmental activism.
The major consists of at least 34-6 credits, 20 of which are above the introductory level, and leads to a BA degree. The minor consists of at least 20 credits, with 12 credits above the introductory level. See below for specifics.
Environmental Studies students are also strongly encouraged to fulfill their general education/distribution requirements with courses that have special pertinence to the study of the environment. The course list suggests which courses best fit the Environmental Studies program.
Major in Environmental Studies
34-6 semester credits, including Environmental Studies 49-104, 964; two from 49-034, 064, 112, 144, 383, 414, 434, 614; one from 49-944, 954; 16 additional credits in Environmental Studies, 12 of which must be above the introductory level.
Required supporting course for the major: Mathematics 52-114.
Minor in Environmental Studies
20 semester credits, including Environmental Studies 49-104; one from 49-034, 064, 144, 383, 414, 434, 614; 12 additional credits of Environmental Studies, 8 of which must be above the introductory level.
Note: Environmental Studies 49-414, 434, and 614 are advanced courses and have prerequisites, and these prerequisites do not count toward the Environmental Studies major or minor. Students who have a special interest in the natural sciences are encouraged to minor in one of those disciplines, and to include one or more of these advanced classes in your program of study. In planning your minor, keep in mind the University policy that no courses will count toward both your major in Environmental Studies and your minor.
