B.A. in Environmental Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies explores the relationships among people, society, and the natural environment. Students examine environmental challenges through scientific, social, political, economic, and ethical perspectives, with opportunities to focus on areas such as natural resource management, sustainability, conservation, and environmental policy.
Through interdisciplinary coursework, internships, field experiences, and community engagement, students develop the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed to address complex environmental issues. Graduates are prepared for careers in government, nonprofit organizations, environmental planning, conservation, education, policy, and sustainability, as well as graduate or professional study.
Requirements for a Major in Environmental Studies (BA)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Total Hours Requirement | (124) | |
| Minimum GPA - 2.0 ("C") Overall and in Major | ||
| Minimum Hours in Residence | (60) | |
| Minimum Advanced Hours (for UG: 3000- or 4000-level courses) | (36) | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Arts and Sciences Core 1 | 47-54 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| ENV 1301 & ENV 1101 | Exploring Environmental Issues and An Introduction to Environmental Analysis (Lab) | 4 |
| ENV 1307 | Climate Change: Environmental and Human Dimensions | 3 |
| or ENV 1309 | Introduction to Environmental Sustainability | |
| ENV 2307 | Ecology for a Changing World | 3 |
| ENV 3310 | Field Techniques for Environmental Science | 3 |
| Environment and Society | ||
| Three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| ENV 2376 | Environment and Society | |
| ENV 3320 | Environment and Human Behavior | |
| ENV 4310 | World Food Problems | |
| ENV 4323 | The Environment and Economic Analysis | |
| ENV 4337 | Environmental Sustainability and Religion | |
| ENV 4389 | American Environmental History | |
| ENV 4393 | Environmental Ethics | |
| ENV 4410 | Humans and Environmental Change | |
| Law and Policy | ||
| ENV 3300 | The Environment and Political Processes | 3 |
| or ENV 4307 | Environmental Law | |
| Environmental Management | ||
| Three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| ENV 3333 | Watershed Assessment | |
| ENV 3337 | Principles of Wildlife Management | |
| ENV 3370 | Managing Environmental Health and Safety | |
| ENV 4333 | Coastal Zone Management | |
| ENV 4345 | Water Management | |
| ENV 4355 | Sustainable Development and Natural Resources | |
| ENV 4365 | The Environment and Energy | |
| ENV 4379 | Ecosystem Planning and Management | |
| ENV 4380 | Restoration Ecology | |
| ENV 4485 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | |
| ENV 4487 | Advanced GIS Analysis | |
| Concentration or Double Major Options | ||
| Complete additional requirements for one concentration or double major: | 9-19 | |
| Environment and Society Concentration | ||
| Natural Resources Management Concentration | ||
| No Concentration / Double Major Option | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| No more than four hours of variable hour courses may be applied to the major | ||
| A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the first fifteen hours of ENV courses that are counted to complete requirements in the major is required. Students who do not have the required GPA in ENV courses after completion of the first fifteen hours will be placed on probation for one semester in the major. | ||
| A grade of “C-” or better in each ENV course used in the major and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or higher on ENV courses taken within the major. | ||
| Note: Additional elective hrs. to reach 124 hrs. minimum may be required. | ||
| Total Hours | 124 | |
1
Core requirements and hours may vary based on individual student factors, including course selection, language proficiency, transfer status, specialized programs (e.g., BIC). Students should consult with their advisor and degree audit for additional information.
No Concentration / Double Major Option
Students that do not pursue one of the concentration options must fulfill the following requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Nine semester hours including the following: | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| ENV 3306 | Conserving Biodiversity | |
| ENV 3308 | Marine Environments and Biodiversity | |
| ENV 4313 | Agricultural Ecology | |
| ENV 4318 | Heavy Metals & Global Public Health | |
| ENV 4450 | Applied Forest Ecology | |
| Environmental Quality and Health | ||
| Three semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| ENV 3314 | Introduction to Environmental Health | |
| ENV 3316 | Introduction to Air Quality | |
| ENV 3333 | Watershed Assessment | |
| ENV 3387 | Environmental Chemistry | |
| ENV 4370 | Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology | |
| Three semester hours of 3000-4000 level ENV courses | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Additional Requirement | ||
| All the major requirements in another department offering a B.A. degree. | ||
| Required Courses in Other Fields | ||
| CHE 1300 | Introductory Chemistry | 3-4 |
| or CHE 1301 | Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I | |
| or CHE 1405 | Chemistry and Society | |
| Total Hours | 12-13 | |