Catalog 2025-2026

Environmental Studies

Teaching Faculty

Professors Dow (chair), Hatch, McClung, and Penner
Associate Professor Merrick
Assistant Professors Reid

Description

The Environmental Studies program is designed to provide an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to studying the environment. As such, it both complements and embodies the liberal arts aim of combining strengths of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to prepare students to be well-equipped citizens in an increasingly globalized world.

Major in Environmental Studies

10 courses distributed as follows:

EVST Core
  • EVST 110 Introduction to Environmental Studies
  • EVST 497 Senior Seminar
  • ISHP 498 Intern: Academic Credit
Natural Sciences
  • BIOL 104 Environmental Biology (w/Lab)**
  • CHEM 101 Chemistry of Environment (w/Lab)**

In selecting electives from the lists below, at least two must be taken at the 300 level or above.

Humanities Category
Two of the following humanities courses:
  • ENGC 390 Nature Writing
  • PHIL 206 Aesthetics of Food
  • PHIL 308 Environmental Philosophy
  • PHIL 316 Environmental Ethics
Social Sciences Category
Two of the following social sciences courses:
  • ANTH 360 Globalization and Transnationalism
  • POLI 235 Public Policy
  • PSYC 350 Conservation & Human Behavior
  • SOCI 300 The Urban Community
  • SOCI 342 Food, Culture and Nature
  • SOCI 375 Environmental Sociology
Methods Category
One of the following methods courses:
  • ANTH 300 Ethnographic Methods
  • ANTH 335 Geographic Information Science
  • BUSI 250 Principles of Statistics
  • CHEM 280 Environmental Analysis (w/Lab)
  • MATH 215 Introductory Statistics
  • SOCI 210 Social Statistics
  • SOCI 335 Sociological Research Methods

*The internship must be taken for academic credit and approved in advance by the Environmental Studies program chair. 

**CHEM 101 Chemistry of Environment (w/Lab) or BIOL 104 Environmental Biology (w/Lab) may be substituted with CHEM 110 General Chemistry I (w/Lab) or BIOL155 Evolution and Diversity of Life (w/Lab), respectively. 




Senior Capstone Experience

Environmental Studies majors are required to complete ISHP 498 as their Senior Capstone Experience. The internship must be approved in advance by the program chair as being relevant to the learning goals of the Environmental Studies major.  

Program Course Listings

The courses for this program are organized into the following categories:

Environmental Studies Courses

EVST 110

Intro to Environmental Studies

An introduction to the study of environmental problems using an interdisciplinary approach with emphasis on the importance of sustainable solutions. The course combines scientific, economic, political, socio-cultural and ethical knowledge to examine selected topics such as human population, food, water, and energy.

EVST 310

Environmental Studies Colloquium

This course takes an interdisciplinary, problem-based approach to explore contemporary environmental challenges. The five EVST Program Learning Goals serve as a course framework as the instructor leads students through independent and group integration of environmental studies coursework, knowledge, and techniques. The Colloquium includes attention to written and spoken communication, and serves to prepare students for EVST 497 Senior Seminar; therefore, students are strongly recommended to take EVST 310 during their junior year. Prerequisites: EVST 110 and junior standing

EVST 110 and junior standing
EVST 497

Senior Seminar

An interdisciplinary course involving professional development, research methods, and a written and oral presentation of work toward the completion of the EVST capstone experience. UR or SP Odyssey credit can be obtained upon completion of Odyssey module requirements for the EVST capstone experience. Prerequisite: EVST 310 or consent of instructor

EVST 310 or consent of instructor
EVST X96

EVST Internship (Non-Credit)

Students interested in internships in environmental studies should contact the program chair. All internships counting toward the EVST major must be processed through the Office of Career Services.

EVST X98

EVST Internship

Students interested in internships in environmental studies should contact the program chair. All internships counting toward the EVST major must be processed through the Office of Career Services.

Back to Program Course Listings

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