Mar 19, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Studies Major, BS and Specializations


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The major in environmental studies provides students with an understanding of the natural science of environmental issues as well as the social, political, and economic factors that contribute to policy and planning decisions. Through this major, students will gain the necessary professional and technical skills for entry into successful environmental careers or for graduate studies in environmental fields. The major offers five specialization options in environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental geology, environmental geography, and environmental policy.
 

Requirements for Major (BS) in Environmental Studies
The requirements for the major in environment studies have three parts:

  • Foundational courses in supporting disciplines. Some of these courses also serve as prerequisites for courses within the specializations. These foundational courses must be completed before students take ENST 304
  • A core requirement consisting of six interdisciplinary ENST courses, two upper-level electives, and a capstone experience outside of the classroom (research, internship, service learning, or study abroad)
  • A specialization consisting of 6-9 courses that focus on one area of study


Requirements for a double major with BS in environmental studies
The following double major combinations will have the environmental studies specialization course requirements waived for the BS degree in environmental studies; all environmental studies foundation and core course requirements must be completed. Required courses for the first degree major may not be used to fulfill upper-division environmental studies elective requirements (7-10 credits).

Bachelor Degree (Disciplinary)
Bachelor Degree (Environmental Studies)

BS Environmental Geological Sciences
BS Environmental Studies: Environmental Geology Specialization

BS Biology
BS Environmental Studies: Environmental Biology Specialization

BS Chemistry
BS Environmental Studies: Environmental Chemistry Specialization

BS Public Policy
BS Environmental Studies: Environmental Policy Specialization

The interdisciplinary major in public policy (BS) may be combined with the environmental studies specialization in environmental policy by completing the specific course requirements for both majors. Students who combine majors in public policy and environmental studies with a specialization in environmental policy will receive a bachelor of science degree in public policy and a bachelor of science degree in environmental studies. As some public policy requirements and electives count toward both degrees or majors, the actual additional coursework needed to fulfill the requirements of the second degree or major may be as low as 19 credits.

Students may complete more than one specialization within the environmental studies major. To be eligible for a second specialization, a minimum of 20 unique credits must be completed. Unique means the credits have not been used as part of any other environmental studies specialization.

Foundational Courses (Required)


Select one of the following - Credits: 5


Select one of the following - Credits: 5


Select one of the following - Credits: 5


Total Foundation Credits: 25


Select one of the following - Credits: 3-5


Total Core Credits: 36-43


Select one of the following specializations:


Environmental Biology Specialization Subtotal Credits: 33-34


BIOL 181 and CHEM 181/181LAB are required as foundational courses for this specialization.

Environmental Biology Specialization Total Credits: 94-102


Environmental Chemistry Specialization Subtotal Credits: 28


CHEM 181/181LAB is required as a foundational course for this specialization.

Environmental Chemistry Specialization Total Credits: 89-96


Environmental Geology Specialization Subtotal Credits: 32-33


GEOL 101 or GEOL 102 or GEOL 108 is required as a foundational course for this specialization.

Choose one field course from the following - Credits: 4-5


Environmental Geology Specialization Total Credits: 93-101


Environmental Geography Specialization Subtotal Credits: 30


GEOG 107 is required as a foundational course for this specialization.

Choose three of the following physical geography courses - Credits: 15


Choose two of the following techniques courses - Credits: 10


Choose one of the following courses - Credits: 5


Environmental Geography Specialization Total Credits: 91-98


Environmental Policy Specialization Subtotal Credits: 38-40


ECON 201 is required as a foundation course.

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