B.A.
Environmental Studies
The BA in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary major intended to prepare students for a wide variety of career options. The variety of courses expose the students to different world views and to consider different ethical arguments. Students will have a broad understanding of the science behind climate change and the environment, allowing them to develop informed solutions. All courses used to fulfill requirements for the Environmental Studies major must be a grade of C or higher.
Summary of Requirements:
All students take a series of core courses (41-43 credits). These courses give the students a solid foundation in the basic science needed to understand environmental issues. The core also includes computer, communication, and writing and literature courses, providing students with skills needed for environmental careers. Additionally, all students will complete an internship, giving them hands-on experience in their chosen specialty.
Tracks: Students will choose between two tracks: a science track and a general track. In total, 65 credits are required for the Environmental Studies major.
Science track: This track requires additional upper-level courses (16 credits), including Field Ecology which will give the students in-the-field experience with ecological issues. This track also requires Research Seminar I and II, in which students learn to develop, conduct, and present scientific research. The students will have 6-8 credits re-maining to use for major electives. The science track prepares students for graduate school, research, or technical jobs.
General track: Working closely with their advisor, this track provides the student the opportunity to tailor their major to their academic interests. The requirements guide the student to spread their choices (22-24 credits) over 200 and 300-level courses offered through vari-ous programs. The general track prepares students for jobs in consult-ing, activism, lobbying, education, policy, and other fields.
A total of 120 credits are required to complete the B.A. degree in Environmental Studies. These credits consist of Dominican Curriculum (DC) courses, Environmental Studies core courses, courses specific to the student’s chosen concentration, and free electives.
Environmental Studies majors may repeat a required course no more than three times.
Degrees and Certificates
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Environmental Studies,
Courses
EN 285: Literature and the Environment
Credits 3ES 112: Climate Science and Action
Credits 3A study of the scientific evidence of climate change with examination of causes and potential responses. A discussion of global societal impacts of climate change will lead to the implementation of student-led projects to educate society, and work to mitigate the effects and/or slow the pace of climate change.
EV 221: Introduction to Environmental Science
Credits 3A one semester introduction to the basic principles of environmental science. We will examine environmental issues affecting our world today and what impact our past has had on the present situation. We will understand and define terminology used in the field; be able to summarize environmental processes at the global, regional and landscape levels; and be able to explain the basic chemistry and biology behind environmental issues.
A minimum grade of C is required for Environmental Studies majors.
EV 491: Environmental Studies Internship
Credits 1 3This course provides the student with the opportunity to intern and learn about careers in environmental studies as well as begin to develop a network of colleagues in the field.