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Requirements

Environmental studies is diverse; students have flexibility in shaping the program to their needs and interests.

Professor Eric Engstrom and students take part in the annual spring prairie burn at our Le Seur N... Professor Eric Engstrom and students take part in the annual spring prairie burn at our Le Seur Nature Preserve.

Major requirements (9.5 courses plus):

  • ESTS 103 Introduction to Environmental Science
  • BIOL 155 Introduction to Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity
  • ECON 200 Principles of Economics
  • SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology OR
  • ANTH 103 Introduction to Anthropology
  • BIOL 350 Science Seminar (2 semesters, 0.25 each)
  • POLS 103 American Politics

At least one course each in Research Methods and Independent Research in a department of the student’s choice such as:

  • BIOL 210 Biological Research Methods
  • BIOL 440/450 Research I and II

Required Science Electives (Choose at least 3, 2 at or above 200 level)

  • BIOL 150 Investigating Biological Concepts
  • BIOL 307 Ecology
  • BIOL 210 Biology Research Methods
  • BIOL 440/450 Research I and II (0.5 each)
  • BIOL 315 Conservation Biology
  • BIOL 201 Field Botany
  • CHEM 140 General Chemistry
  • CHEM 220 Analytical Chemistry
  • ESTS 234 Introduction to Cartography and Geographic Information Systems
  • ESTS 393 Natural Areas Field Practicum
  • PHYS 267 Dynamics of Atmosphere
  • PHYS 288 Health Physics
  • MATH 207 Statistics for the Sciences

Required Humanities/Social Science Electives (Choose at least 2; 2.00 courses)

  • ECON 310 Regulation and Legislation
  • ECON 340 Economics and Law
  • ECON 370 Public Finance
  • ECON 380 Environmental Economics
  • PHIL 310 Environmental Ethics
  • POLS 311 Parties and Elections
  • POLS 375 Environmental Politics
  • COMM 234 Small Group Communication
  • COMM 335 Argumentation
  • COMM 339 Persuasion
  • SOCI 345 Sociology of Inequality

Required courses for the minor

  • ESTS 103 Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability

Plus three courses from the following list:

  • BIOL 201 Field Botany
  • BIOL 315 Conservation Biology
  • ESTS 234 GIS Introduction to Cartography & Geographic Information Systems
  • ESTS 393 Natural Areas Field Practicum
  • COMM 335 Argumentation
  • PHIL 310 Environmental Ethics
  • POLS 375 Environmental Politics
  • ECON 380 Environmental Economics