Requirements for the major in Environmental Studies (BA or BS, Environmental Studies)
The BA degree in Environmental Studies requires successful completion of 16 courses distributed as described below and the senior capstone/directed research project. The BS degree course distribution requirements are the same plus three additional studio courses (for a total of 19 courses). Only specific courses satisfy the major requirements, including electives. Not all courses are offered each semester. Courses should be chosen carefully, in consultation with the chair of the program.
Credit for a concentration is earned by completing three 3000- or 4000-level courses approved for that concentration. Students are encouraged, but not required, to choose a concentration. Only specific courses satisfy the major requirements, including electives. Not all courses are offered each semester. Courses should be chosen carefully, in consultation with the chair of the program.
Required Courses:
Choose 3 Core Courses:
- UENV 2000 Environment and Society
or UENV 2100 Environmental History and Race (4 credits) - UENV 2400 Urban Ecology (4 credits)
- LSCI 2500 Chemistry of the Environment (4 credits)
Advanced Core Courses:
- UENV 3200 Spatial Thinking with GIS (4 credits)
- UENV 3400 Urban Resilience (4 credits)
Economics and Math Courses:
- LMTH 2050 Math Models in Nature (4 credits)
- LMTH 2030 Statistics with SPSS (4 credits)
- UENV 3501 Economics of the Environment (4 credits)
Choose one (1) Lab Course (4-6 credits):
- LSCI 3029 Water Quality Lab (4 credits)
- LSCI 2320 Microbial Ecologies (4 credits)
- LSCI 3030 Biodiversity Achieved Lab (6 credits)
- LSCI 3055 Microbiome of Urban Spaces (4 credits)
- UENV 3750 Green Roof Ecology (4 credits)
Choose one (1) Social Science Elective (3-4 credits):
- UENV 2530 Environmental Justice
- UENV 3510 Planning Sustainable Cities
- UENV 4703 Social Justice in Sustainable Food Systems
Choose three (3) Design Electives from the list below:
- PSDS 2510 Visualizing Urban Change (3 credits) - recommended
- PUDM 2102 Economics and Ethics of Sustainable Design (3 credits) - recommended
- PSDS 2100 Research and Developmental Methods (3 credits) - recommended
- PSDS 2115 Creative Team Dynamics: Identity and Change (3 credits)
- PUDM 1100 Intro to Design and Management (3 credits)
- PUDM 1101 Design Strategies and Everyday Experience (3 credits)
Internship Requirement:
- UENV 3901 Professional Internship - recommended summer before senior year (0-2 credits)
Senior Capstone:
- UENV 4210 Directed Research (Pre-Thesis; 4 credits) - required
- UENV 4211 Directed Research (Senior Thesis; 3-4 credits)
- or an approved advanced course
BA total credits: 55-61
Additional requirements for BS students only:
Choose 12 credits from the following:*
- PSDS 2141 Collaborative: Human Services (3 credits)
- PSDS 2301 Narrative Space (3 credits)
- PSDS 2580 Intro to Engineering (3 credits)
- PSDS 2640 Honeybee Colonies (3 credits)
- PSDS 3100 Integrative Research/Development (pre-requisites; 3 credits)
- PSDS 3510 Designing Urban Food Agriculture (3 credits)
- PSDS 3530 Collaborative: Food + Design
- PSCE 4021 Designing Sustainable Foodscapes (3 credits)
*Alternative courses may be approved, in consultation with an advisor.
BS total credits: 67-73