We offer two majors: Environmental Studies and Environmental Science. Both are highly interdisciplinary and flexible, provide you with a variety of ideas and skills, and prepare you for a wide range of careers. However, the studies and science majors differ in their emphases. When choosing between them, consider your interests, aptitudes, and professional goals. To illustrate the differences, it helps to look at some examples.
If you are interested in climate change:
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- Would you like to understand atmospheric processes, model potential vegetation changes across the landscape, or evaluate range shifts and other impacts to plant and animal populations? You’re on track for an Environmental Science degree.
- Or would you like to examine international treaties and policies related to carbon reduction, apply environmental justice principles to reduce the dipropionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities, or create art or literature that engages people in these issues? Your path leads to Environmental Studies.
If you are interested in water quality and access:
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- Would you like to conduct lab work on the biochemistry of toxins, study how pollutants bio-magnify through the food chain, understand how river processes influence aquifer recharge, or restore riparian habitats so they can better filter potential pollutants? You’re headed for Environmental Science.
- Or would you like to learn the methods that allow agriculture to eliminate chemical inputs and be more sustainable, examine regulatory and/or market-based approaches for managing water quality, design buildings and plan cities that use green infrastructure to filter water, or determine how international development can influence people’s access to clean water? Environmental Studies is your calling.
Environmental Studies » | Environmental Science »
Environmental Studies Major Requirements
Environmental Studies is a field that crosses the boundaries of traditional disciplines, not only the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, but also management, policy, design, and law. These many lenses challenge faculty and students to look at the relationship between humans and their environment from a new perspective.
Students have flexibility in designing a course of study that combines theory and practice; that invites active engagement; and that fits their specific interests, needs, and aptitudes. The Environmental Studies major provides a well-rounded basic education to prepare students for entry-level positions in business, government, or non-governmental organizations.
Students should plan their programs as early as possible in their undergraduate careers with the aid of an Environmental Studies undergraduate adviser.
The program leads to a B.A. or B.S. in Environmental Studies.
*With the exception of ENVS 401 (Research), 403 (Senior Thesis), 404 (Internship), 406 (Field Studies), 408 (Workshop), and 409 (Practicum), all courses applied to the major or minor must be graded. Grades of C- or better must be earned in all graded courses. Students may petition to substitute other courses. The Honors options are available to majors only.
- Area 1: Lower Division Requirements (3 courses)
- Area 2: Lower Division Math and Science Requirements (6 courses)
- Area 3A: Upper-Division Natural Science (2 courses)
- Area 3B: Upper-Division Social Science, Policy, Humanities and Sustainable Design and Practice Courses (10 courses)
- Area 4: Environmental Issues (1 course)
- Area 5. Practical Learning Experience (4 credits)
Environmental Science Major Requirements
The Environmental Science major is scientifically rigorous and offers an interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, including biology, geology, chemistry, data analysis, and physical geography. It is designed for students who want to focus on scientific careers in fields such as conservation biology; climate and the atmosphere; pollution prevention and abatement; aquatic environments; or ecosystem protection, restoration, and management. The number of credits required for Environmental Science major (approximately 112 credits) is comparable to other science majors.
*With the exception of ENVS 401 (Research), 403 (Senior Thesis), 404 (Internship), 406 (Field Studies), 408 (Workshop), and 409 (Practicum), all courses applied to the major or minor must be graded. Grades of C- or better must be earned in all graded courses. Students may petition to substitute other courses. The Honors options are available to majors only.
- Area 1: Lower Division Environmental Studies Requirements (2 courses)
- Area 2: Math and Statistics Requirements (4 courses)
- Area 3A: Natural Science Requirements (17 courses)
- Area 3B: Social Science, Policy, Humanities and Sustainable Design and Practice Courses (3 courses)
- Area 4: Environmental Issues course (1 course)
- Area 5: Practical Learning Experience (1 course or 4 credits)