The Environmental Studies major is designed for students who want to act critically and creatively in response to the environmental challenges facing the world today. The major's two pathways (Sustainability and Society [S&S] and Conservation Science and Management [CSM]) share a commitment to educating future practitioners who can address those challenges in their professional careers and personal lives.
Environmental Studies teaches students to integrate environmental knowledge across the natural and social sciences, as well as the arts and humanities. Hands-on learning, field experiences, and problem-based instruction focus on finding answers to complex problems that include scientific, social, political, cultural, and ethical dimensions.
Graduating Environmental Studies students develop careers in management, planning, advocacy, communications, and policy-making across a wide array of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. They also pursue disciplinary and interdisciplinary graduate education in environmental fields that range across the arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences.
Prerequisites
- Two introductory lab courses in Biology, Chemistry OR Earth System Science (may be from two different areas)
- One introductory Statistics course (BIS 232, BIS 315 or equivalent). Students can be admitted to the major without having met this requirement if they enroll in BIS 315 during their junior year.
Environmental Studies Requirements
33 Credits
Pathway Requirements
Sustainability and Society (S&S)
10 Credits of Sustainability Focus Courses
- BIS 240 Introduction to Sustainable Practices (5 credits)
- BIS 392 Water & Sustainability (5 credits)
- BIS 396 Topics in Sustainability (5 credits)
- BIS 459 Conservation & Sustainability Development (5 credits)
- BIS 468 Human Rights and Sustainable Development (5 credits)
Conservation Science & Management Pathway (CSM)
10 credits of Core Requirements
- BIS 342 Geographic Information Systems (5 credits)
- BES 485 Conservation Biology (5 credits)
Distribution Requirements --Both Pathways
20 Credits
- Environmental Science (5 credits)
- Methods & Practice (5 credits)
- Society & Environment (5 credits)
- Policy & Management (5 credits)
List of all Environmental Studies distribution courses
General Electives -- 27 credits
- Courses in this major are offered primarily during daytime hours.
- The 63 major credits must be completed in matriculated status.
Areas of Knowledge
Within the credits taken in the IAS curriculum, students must complete 10 credits each in Visual, Literary and Performing Arts (VLPA); Individuals & Societies (I&S); and Natural World (NW). Multiply-designated courses may not be double-counted as fulfilling two Areas of Knowledge.
200-level Coursework
Up to 35 credits of 200-level coursework taken at UWB may be applied toward designated requirements within the 90 program credits. Please contact an IAS adviser for details.
Admitted Prior to Autumn Quarter, 2010?
Students admitted prior to Autumn Quarter, 2010 who are interested in pursuing the major rather than the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an option may choose to do so. Some courses have been delisted and will not count toward the major. They will count toward the option ONLY IF TAKEN PRIOR TO AUTUMN QUARTER, 2010. If taken AUTUMN QUARTER, 2010, OR LATER, they will not count toward the option. Click here for more information.
Environmental Studies Learning Objectives:
The Environmental Studies curriculum advances the four core IAS learning objectives. Students taking courses and/or majoring in Environmental Studies:
1) Develop a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of earth’s natural systems and the ways in which humans interact with those systems, at both global and bioregional scales.
2) Acquire a depth of understanding of one of two major knowledge areas of environmental studies – sustainability or conservation – in their theoretical and applied dimensions.
3) Analyze and synthesize diverse forms of knowledge, including scientific and quantitative, bringing a holistic understanding to bear on issues of environmental policy, management, and other social and cultural forms of human-environment interactions.
4) Understand and create sophisticated arguments supported by quantitative and qualitative evidence.
5) Learn specific techniques and practices needed to effectively investigate environmental issues and contribute to solutions.
6) Learn to work effectively with others, including those from other fields of knowledge, to creatively address complex real-world environmental problems in a collaborative fashion.
7) Develop the ability to communicate effectively both to peers within the field of environmental studies and to audiences outside the field.
Environmental Studies Core and Affiliate Faculty and Staff
David Stokes (faculty coordinator), Jennifer Atkinson, Nives Dolsak, Ben Gardner, Warren Gold, Martha Groom, Jin-Kyu Jung, Santiago Lopez, Gwen Ottinger, Rob Turner, Rob Estes.