The Environmental Studies major is designed for students who want to act critically and creatively in response to the environmental challenges facing the world today. The major's two pathways; Sustainability & Society (S&S) and Conservation Science & Management (CSM) share a commitment to educating future practitioners who can address those challenges in their professional careers and personal lives.
Environmental Studies teaches students to integrate environmental knowledge across the natural and social sciences, as well as the arts and humanities. Hands-on learning, field experiences, and problem-based instruction focus on finding answers to complex problems that include scientific, social, political, cultural, and ethical dimensions.
Graduating Environmental Studies students develop careers in management, planning, advocacy, communications, and policy-making across a wide array of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. They also pursue disciplinary and interdisciplinary graduate education in environmental fields that range across the arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences. For more information about career possibilities or pursuing graduate school please click here.
Environmental Studies Major Requirements
- Two introductory lab courses in Biology, Chemistry OR Earth System Science (may be from two different areas)
- One introductory Statistics course (BIS 232, BIS 315 or equivalent). Students can be admitted to the major without having met this requirement if they enroll in BIS 315 during their junior year.
Environmental Studies Core Requirements (33 credits)
Pathway Requirements - Choose either (S&S) or (CSM)
Sustainability & Society (S&S) (10 credits)
BIS 240 Introduction to Sustainable Practices (5 credits)
BIS 392 Water & Sustainability (5 credits)
BIS 396 Topics in Sustainability (5 credits)
BIS 459 Conservation & Sustainability Development (5 credits)
BIS 468 Human Rights and Sustainable Development (5 credits)
Conservation Science & Management (CSM) (10 credits)
BIS 342 Geographic Information Systems (5 credits)
BES 485 Conservation Biology (5 credits)
Distribution Requirements (20 credits)
General Electives (27 credits)
TOTAL = 90 Credits
Note: Courses in this major are offered primarily during daytime hours.