BA Degree in Environmental Studies

The BA in Environmental Studies is appropriate for students wanting rigorous preparation in the methods of the social sciences and humanities needed to understand how society affects the environment, how it organizes itself to respond to environmental problems and how understanding of the environment is created and transmitted through culture. All students gain a sufficient base of scientific and mathematical expertise to allow them to work effectively with environmental scientists and engineers. The degree focuses on the social, political, economic and cultural forces that guide society's role in both causing and solving environmental problems, and on the role of society in perturbing environmental systems. All students take core courses in the relevant sciences, social sciences and humanities. In addition, students, in consultation with an advisor, select a Concentration Area for specialized study of the environment and society. Each will, if desired, result in a minor in one of several disciplines. The degree provides strong preparation for graduate and professional training, as well as for jobs in environmental policy, journalism, education, etc.

Worksheets

• BA in Environmental Studies worksheet (PDF) for new students
• BA in Environmental Studies worksheet (PDF) for students enrolled prior to 2006

The following courses are required:

First and Second Years

General College Perspectives (2 Aesthetics, 2 Social Sciences, 2 Historical, 1 Philosophical; one of the Social Science Perspectives must be ECON 101)

Language (through Level III)
ENGL 101 and 102
MATH 231
BIOL 101/101L
CHEM 101/101L and 102/102L; or PHYS 104/104L and 105/105L
STAT 155 or ECON 400
ENST 201 Introduction to Environment and Society
ENST 202 Introduction to Environmental Science

Third and Fourth Years

ENST 305 Data Analysis and Visualization of Social and Environmental Interactions
ENST 698 Capstone: Analysis and Solution of Environmental Problems
ENST 307 Energy and Material Flows in the Environment and Society

Upper-Level Perspectives (4 courses; one must be a Natural and Mathematical Sciences Perspective chosen from BIOL 201 (if not used in the major), ENST 222, ENST 111, ENST 213 or ENST 253; one must be a philosophical perspective chosen from AFAM 428, PHIL 165, PHIL 360, PHIL 362, POLI 206H or RELI 134).

Five courses in an approved Concentration Area (see ENST advisor for options).