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Dec 05, 2025
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2025-2026 University Catalog
Environmental Studies, B.A.
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The Program in Environmental Studies, leading to either a BA or a minor, teaches students to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment. It requires an understanding of the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
The Program curriculum allows students to develop interdisciplinary expertise and an understanding of how insights from different disciplines complement each other. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of the causes, consequences, and solutions to environmental problems. At the same time, the elective tracks also provide for a more focused look at a particular field within environmental studies. This is not only a unique academic experience, but also one that expands the students’ ability as citizens to be aware of the scientific, ethical, and policy issues they will face in their local communities, their professions and in their broader world community.
A major in environmental studies leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of at least 41 credits, which must include at least three credits at the 300-level or above in addition to the capstone. Students also undertake an experiential-learning activity. A student may not complete both a major and a minor in environmental studies.
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Core Requirements
Complete all courses in the following list: Statistics
Choose one course from the following list: Advanced Quantitative Skills
Choose one course from the following list. This course may also be used towards an elective course in the chosen elective track below. Elective Track
Complete one elective track below or design one with prior approval from the Environmental Studies core faculty. No more than three courses completed in any elective track may be used to satisfy requirements in another major. Student-designed elective tracks must be proposed and approved before the end of the student’s junior (third) year. Conservation Biology Elective Track
Consists of 5 courses, at least 16 credits, from the below categories. Advanced Ecology Foundations
Choose one course from the following list: Advanced Social Science Foundations
Choose one course from the following list: Electives
Choose three courses from the following list: Climate Change Elective Track
Consists of 6 courses, at least 18 credits, from the below categories. Climate Change
Required course. Science
Choose three courses from the following, including one laboratory course (indicated by *): Human Dimensions
Choose two courses from the following list: Environmental Economics and Policy Elective Track
Consists of 7 courses, at least 21 credits, from the below categories. Required Courses
Choose three courses from the following list as described below: Ethics
Choose one course from the following list: Electives
Choose three courses from the following list: Environmental Humanities Elective Track
Consists of 5 courses, at least 15 credits, from the below categories. Philosophy / Ethics
Choose one course from the following list: Religion / Sociology & Anthropology
Choose one course from the following list: Literature and Arts
Choose one course from the following list: Electives
Choose two courses from the following list: Sustainable Commerce Elective Track
Consists of 6 courses, at least 18 credits, from the below categories. Only one course below used to fulfill the Sustainable Commerce track can be from the 100-level. Social Entrepreneurship
Required course. Core Social Science
Choose three courses from the following list, that are offered by at least two different departments: Climate / Ecosystem Science
Choose one course from the following list: Human Dimensions
Choose one course from the following list: Water Resources Elective Track
Consists of 5 courses, at least 17 credits, from the below categories. Human Dimensions
Choose two courses from the following list: Science
Choose three courses from the following, including two laboratory courses (indicated by *): Capstone
Choose at least one course from the following list as described below: Experiential Learning
A relevant internship, study abroad, research project, or other experiential learning activity approved in advance by the head of the major. Student-Designed Elective Track
Students majoring in environmental studies may propose a self-designed series of “elective” courses that focuses on a particular theme relevant to their individual educational objectives. Students should consult with faculty members in Environmental Studies when developing this proposal and present it to the head of the Environmental Studies Program, along with the major declaration form no later than February 1 of the junior year (though we recommend that students submit proposals in their sophomore year). One of the core or affiliate faculty members in Environmental Studies must be willing to serve as the student’s adviser in the major and provide a letter of support for the proposal. Proposals must be approved by the Environmental Studies faculty before the end of the junior year. Total Major Requirements minimum of 41 credits
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