Environmental Studies
Return to Majors

The Environmental Studies major will provide students with an educational specialty grounded in the subjects and issues related to the natural environment and its relationship to human beings. The major offers the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary inquiry, integrating knowledge across the natural sciences, behavioral sciences, and humanities. The major develops analytical tools and skill for understanding the environment, while emphasizing the role of beliefs, values, ethics, and aesthetics in shaping human behavior.

Students will be exposed to coursework which develops skills in the following areas: laboratory research and environmental science; policy analysis; social, historical, and global awareness; philosophical and ethical inquiry; writing and composition; oral presentation; educational techniques and strategies; and legal research. This will prepare students for careers in such journalism, environmental law and policy making, parks and recreation, landscape and architecture, public health, education, the arts, and many more. The Environmental Studies major and minor satisfy the Environmental perspective requirement.

The major includes five required courses, four environmental field courses, two tool courses, and the completion of a minor related to environmental studies chosen from a pre-approved list. Grades in this minor must be C- or better and the course cannot be double counted within the major. Students graduate with a B.A. degree.