Curriculum Overview
Students in the Environmental Studies program will…
- Actively investigate roles and identities as citizens, consumers, and environmental actors.
- Use an interdisciplinary approach that integrates perspectives and/or methods of analysis.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, using quantitative and/or qualitative forms of analysis.
- Link theory and practice in order to understand the connections and how these are reflected 'on the ground.'
- Work collaboratively in the design and implementation of research, applied projects or creative works.
- Collect data using professional methods.
- Communicate effectively in writing, in oral presentations, in visual or digital media. (Please indicate which format you are assessing).
- Consider the significance of diversity in human culture and circumstance (gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status…) to environmental issues.
Major Requirements
Students seeking a B.S. in Environmental Studies are required to complete 13 units: five core units plus eight additional units in one of the tracks.
Core Requirements
Number |
Name |
Details |
ENSC 101 |
Intro to Environmental Science (with lab) |
Offered each semester, taken during 1st or 2nd year, no prerequisites.
|
ENST 103 |
Introduction to Environment and Culture |
Offered each semester, taken during 1st or 2nd year, no prerequisites. |
ENST 105 |
Introduction to Environment and Society |
Offered each semester, taken during 1st or 2nd year, no prerequisites. |
ENSC 270 |
Geographic Information Systems |
Offered each semester, taken during 2nd or 3rd year, ENSC 101, ENST 103, or ENST 105 are prerequisites or permission required from Dr. O’Neill.
|
ENST 430 |
Environmental Senior Practicum |
Offered during fall, a 4th year senior class, all prior core classes are prerequisites. |
Choose from one of the following tracks...
Conservation and the Earth’s Critical Zone
|
Course Options |
Details |
Introductory Biology or Chemistry Sequence |
One course sequence from: BIOL 180/190 CHEM 111/112 CHEM 113 (which subs for both 111/112) |
|
Ecological Theory or Applications Course |
One course/lab chosen from: BIOL 205: Ecology w/ lab ENSC 220: Conservation Science w/ lab |
|
Depth in Environmental Science |
Two additional ENSC courses at 200 or 300 level (at least one must be at 300 level) |
|
Breadth in Science |
Two additional science classes, such as BIOL 205, 235, 240, 265, 270, 275, 280, 300, 330, 340, 245, 246, 345, 346; CHEM 221, 260, 270 |
Prerequisites vary.
|
Breadth in Environmental Studies |
One additional ENST courses at 200 or 300 level (at least one must be at 300 level). Can also substitute ECON 287, POLI 351, or SOCI 337 |
|
Environment, Society, and Science
|
Course Options |
Details |
Breadth in Social Sciences |
Two courses chosen from the following: ECON 121, 287; POLI 201, 202, 205; SOCI 215, 315, 335, 340; up to one approved INQ 260 with an environmental topic |
Prerequisites vary. |
Methods in Social Sciences |
One course chosen from: SOCI 351, SOCI 352; POLI 209, ECON 348 |
Prerequisites vary. |
Depth from Environmental Studies |
Three additional ENST courses at 200 or 300 level (at least one must be at 300 level). Can also substitute POLI 351, SOCI 337, or ECON 287. |
|
Breadth from Environmental Science |
Two ENSC courses at 200 or 300-level (at least one must be at 300 level). |
|
Justice, Culture, and Environment
|
Course Options |
Details |
Foundations |
ENST 240 Environmental Justice ENST 212 Environmental Ethics |
Both courses offered once a year. |
Methods and Skills |
One course chosen from: SOCI 351, SOCI 352; POLI 209; HIST 209, HIST 205; ANTH 310, ANTH 380 |
Many require ENST 105 as a prerequisite. |
Depth in Environmental Studies |
Two additional ENST courses at 200 or 300 level. Can also substitute PHST/SOCI 331, POLI 351, SOCI 337, or ECON 287. One must be: ENST 341, Climate Justice ENST 351, Food, Agriculture, Sustainability, and Justice |
ENST 341 and 351 offered every other year. Both require ENST 240 and ENST 212 as prerequisites. |
Breadth from Social Sciences and Humanities |
One course chosen from the following (if not taken for other categories above): ANTH 203, ANTH 380 ; ECON 287; PEAC 201; PHST 201, PHST 202, PHST/SOCI 331; POLI 250, POLI 351, POLI 352; BUAD 264; RELG 207; SOCI 201, SOCI 215, SOCI 221, SOCI 224, SOCI 241, SOCI 335, SOCI 337 |
Prerequisites vary. |
Breadth from Environmental Science |
Two ENSC courses at 200 or 300-level (at least one must be at 300 level) |
|
Minor Requirements
Students seeking a minor are required to complete 6 units: three core units plus three additional units at the 200 or 300 level.
Course Options |
Details |
|
ENSC 101 |
Intro to Environmental Science (with lab) |
No prerequisites |
ENST 103 |
Introduction to Environment and Culture |
No prerequisites |
ENST 105 |
Introduction to Environment and Society |
No prerequisites |
ENSC or ENST 200-level or 300-level |
Three of the following: ENST 210: Environmental History ENST 212: Environmental Ethics ENST 232: Religion and Ecology ENST 260: Special Topics ENST 290: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems ENSC 220: Conservation Science ENSC 230: Critical Zone Science and Management ENSC 261: Special Topics ENSC 265: Special Topics ENSC 270: Geographic Information Systems ENSC 380: Global Change and the Earth System ENSC 361: Special Topics ENSC 365: Special Topics with Lab ENSC 370: Landscape Analysis in GIS |
Prerequisites vary |