Division of Mathematics & Natural Sciences

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies (ENVST)

Degree Requirements

This interdisciplinary major is designed to provide students with an integrated and critical knowledge of the natural environment and human interactions with it. Students will receive a strong foundation in the natural sciences but will extend their studies across several disciplines, emphasizing both public policy issues and the role of the natural environment in history and culture. The goal of the program is "ecological literacy," which means that students will develop a broad-based understanding and awareness of environments and environmental issues, and they will develop the problem-solving skills to address those issues. Program requirements include interdisciplinary courses in environmental studies and a broad array of courses in biology, geology, chemistry, geography, economics, political science, English, history, and philosophy. By selecting appropriate electives to supplement the "additional courses" requirement of the major, students may develop an emphasis in either a specific field (i.e., biology, English) or in a general area of study (natural science, social science, and humanities). Graduates are equipped for employment as environmental consultants in business or with governmental agencies and public interest groups. Many may go on to postgraduate study in environmental science, public policy, or the humanities, or to law school.

A student wishing to transfer into the Environmental Studies program must have completed the course ENVST 100(3) and have received a grade of C or better in the course.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.A. DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: Minimum of 121 credits is required.

Scheduling Recommendations by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(21 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in ELECTIVES, GENERAL EDUCATION course selections or REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

ELECTIVES: 9 credits

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 24 credits
(3 of these 24 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR, GENERAL EDUCATION, or ELECTIVES and 0-12 credits are included in ELECTIVES if foreign language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 64-65 credits [1]
(This includes 21-22 credits of General Education courses as follows: 3 credits of GH courses; 9 credits of GN courses; 3-4 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses.)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (39 credits)
BIOL 110 GN(4), BIOL 220W GN(4), ENVST 100(3), ENGL 180 GH(3), GEOSC 001 GN(3) (Sem: 1-2)
CHEM 020(3), CHEM 021(1), ENVST 200(3), GEOG 115 GN(3) (Sem: 3-4)
GEO160 (3), ECON 428(3), PHIL 403(3) (Sem: 5-8)
ENVST 400W(3) (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (25-26 credits)
ECON 102 GS(3) or ECON 104 GS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
PL SC 135 GS(3) or PL SC 425(3) (Sem: 5-6)
STAT 250 GQ(3) OR STAT 200 GQ(4) (Sem:5-8)
HIST 453 (3) OR GEOG 407 (3) (Sem: 7-8)

Select INTSP 370 (1) and ENVST 395 (3) or ENVST 496 (4) OR ENVST 296 (1) AND ENVST 496 (3) (Sem: 7-8)

Select 9 credits (3 in each DEPARTMENTAL LISTS) in consultation with an academic adviser.
At least six credits must be at the 400-level. (Sem:3-8)
a. Natural Sciences (3 credits) b. Social Sciences (3 credits) c. Arts and Humanities (3 credits)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.

Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2012

Contact:

Dr. Ian S. Marshall
Professor of English
Arts and Humanities

Office: 128 Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts
Phone: 814-949-5107
Email:
WWW: http://www.personal.psu.edu/ism2