Environmental Studies Major

Upon declaring an environmental studies major, students choose one of two concentrations: environmental science (ESCI) or environment and society (ESOC). Students complete all required courses within their chosen concentration as well as a set of required courses designed to cultivate breadth. All environmental studies students complete the environmental studies core curriculum consisting of introductory, mid-level, and capstone courses. At the introductory level, all students (majors and minors) take courses spanning the natural and social sciences, in addition to statistics. Introductory courses in environmental science and environmental studies are designed to introduce students to the biological, physical, and chemical science of environmental change, as well as the human dimensions (social/political/cultural/economic) of such change.

Students choosing the ESOC concentration begin coursework in economics, political science, and/or anthropology sociology, while students choosing the ESCI concentration complete an introductory biology and chemistry sequence.

At the 200 level, all environmental studies majors complete the core course Biosphere and Society, which draws from and integrates a range of disciplines to help students master a set of key concepts and analytical methods fundamental to environmental studies. In the capstone course, students actively integrate the approaches and methodologies they have practiced and experimented with at the 100 and 200 levels toward further research on particular problem, issue, or theme of their choosing, based on their research and future career interests. Service-learning opportunities are embedded within the core courses, as well as within several elective courses. Completing an internship is encouraged, but not required.

Please note that as of the printing of this catalogue, some courses in the program had not received final approval. Check the Environmental Studies Program website or the myGoucher Course Catalog for updated course numbers.

All majors must complete the Environmental Studies core sequence, as follows:

• ES 100
• ES/PSC 140
• ES 210
• ES 390

Writing proficiency in the major is fulfilled in the ES 210 Biosphere and Society core course.

Majors choose a concentration in either Environment and Society (ESOC) or Environmental Science (ESCI) and complete required courses and breadth requirements.

Concentrations

Environment and Society Concentration (ESOC)

For more in-depth information, click here to view the academic catalogue.

Required courses:

• EC 101
• PSC 100
• ANT 107 or SOC 106
• EC 225
• PSC 285
• ES 230

Social Science Research Methods

PSC 211 or SOC 217 or PCE 210

Choose one or more 200-level course:

• PHL 205
• ART 262
• COM 225

Choose two 300-level courses:

• ES 325
• ES 399
• EC 325

Breadth for ESOC

Choose one:
BIO 104 or CHE 105/106 or CHE 111/112

Choose one:
MA 140 or MA 141 or EC 206

Choose one:
ES 200 or ES/BIO 204 or ES/BIO 238
(Note: BIO 104 is prerequisite for BIO/ES 238.)

Environmental Science Concentration (ESCI)

For more in-depth information, click here to view the academic catalogue.

Required courses:

• BIO 104
• CHE 111/112
• CHE 151/152
• CHE 230

Choose Life Science or Physical Science focus:

Life Science:

• BIO 210
• BIO 214
• BIO 220
• BIO 240

Choose two 300-level courses:

• BIO 333
• BIO 343
• BIO 354
• BIO 355
• BIO 384
• BIO 387

(Note: Only one seminar course may be used to meet the 300-level credit requirement in the life sciences concentration. Laboratories for BIO 333, 343, 354 are strongly recommended but not required. Refer to Biology Department listings for additional prerequisites for laboratories.)

Physical Science:

• ES 200 or ES/BIO 238
• PHY 115 (or PHY 125)
• PHY 250 or CHE 270

Choose two 300-level courses:

• CHE 355
• ES 399

Breadth for ESCI:

• EC 101
• EC 225
• PSC 285 or ES 230

Choose one:
MA 140 or MA 141 or EC 206

Choose one:
PSC 100 or ANT 107 or SOC 106