Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies Program provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of human interactions with the environment. Of central concern are the impact of technology on natural environments and its implications for human welfare. The program seeks to apply the different perspectives of the humanities, social sciences, biology, and the physical sciences to environmental and natural resource issues. These perspectives, combined with complementary training in a traditional discipline, will prepare students for graduate work and careers in the environmental sciences, law, public health, public policy, or public administration. The Environmental Studies Program is housed in the Adam Joseph Lewis Center which is an important example of an integrated building-landscape sustainable system and serves as a laboratory for students and faculty.

Because careful course selection is necessary to achieve specific objectives, students are urged to consult as early as possible with the Program Director and other members of the Environmental Studies Program Committee (names available in the Environmental Studies office). Students should consult the course descriptions for prerequisites and plan accordingly. Descriptions of new program courses and activities in addition to those listed below may be found in supplements to this catalog issued by the Office of the Registrar, and the Environmental Studies Course Description Supplement available in the Environmental Studies office. New students are encouraged to begin the social science component of the major with ENVS 101. Students seeking majors or minors in Environmental Studies must earn minimum grades of C– (or CR or P, as may be appropriate) for all courses that apply to the program.

Students who wish to major in Environmental Studies should:

Consult with a member of the Environmental Studies Program Committee or with the Program Director.
Pick up a checklist of major requirements form from the Environmental Studies office.
Select an advisor who is a member of the Environmental Studies Program Committee. See Resource Faculty listing with advisors denoted by an asterisk. (Names are also listed in the Environmental Studies office).
In consultation with advisor, complete the Registrar’s Declaration of Major form along with the checklist of major requirements.
Submit these forms, signed by advisor, to the Program Director for approval. The proposal, when approved, constitutes an agreement between the student and the Environmental Studies Program as to the content of the student’s major. Please consult with your advisor for approval before making any changes to avoid any problems at graduation time.

Deadline.

Deadline for major proposal submission is normally the end of the student’s sophomore year. If Environmental Studies is the student’s second major, it may be submitted at the end of the student’s junior year.