Minor in Environmental Studies
With rapidly increasing global population and demand for natural resources, scientists and administrators around the world are acknowledging the importance of understanding our "place" within the natural environment and focusing on the sustainability of human and ecological systems. Some of the current environmental issues addressed today include:
- Population and resource imbalances
- Climatic and environmental change
- Environmental security
- Pollution
- Genetic engineering of food crops
- Waste Management
- Natural resource management
- Recreation management
- Forestry and water resources
The Minor in Environmental Studies is a multidisciplinary and multidepartmental sponsored program that is available to students in any undergraduate major.
The mission of the Environmental Studies Minor Program is to increase awareness of the interrelationships that exist between humans and the physical environment. Students will broaden their understanding of environmental issues as well as the connections between human-made and natural environments. Knowledge and skills acquired through the program will help prepare students for further academic studies or for an environment-related career.
Career Opportunities for Students with a Minor in Environmental Studies
Today's employers seek individuals with more than one specialty as well as an ability to integrate information effectively. Coupled with increasing demand for environmental awareness, the environmental job market today is rich. Jobs are available from employers in all sectors of the market, including non-profit organizations, corporations, institutions, and federal, state and local governments. Here are just a few:
- Conservation and natural resources
- Environmental policy
- Legislation and regulation
- Environmental advocacy, outreach and communications
- Environmental engineering and scientific service jobs
- Outdoor and environmental education
- Waste management treatment and operations
Course Information for the Minor in Environmental Studies
(Note: The course information below is based on the 2007-2008 catalog and newer catalogs. If you are in an older catalog, please contact Dr. Amy Bloom for course information specific to your particular catalog.)
A minimum of 25 hours is required.
Required Courses
- GEO 100: Earth Systems Science (4 cr.)
- GEO 205: Living in the Environment (3 cr.)
Students must also complete 9 credits in Group 1 and 9 credits in Group 2.
Group 1: Choose 3 courses (minimum of 9 credits)
- AGR 157: Soil Science (4 cr.)
- AGR 203: Agriculture & the Environment (3 cr.)
- AGR 234: Soil & Water Conservation (3 cr.)
- BSC 196: Biological Diversity (4 cr.)
- BSC 201: Ecology (4 cr.)
- BSC 202: Human Ecology (3 cr.)
- BSC 212: Principles of Botany (4 cr.)
- BSC 222: Plant Diversity (4 cr.)
- BSC 223: Ecology & ID of Plants (4 cr.)
- BSC 337: Restoration Ecology (3 cr.)
- BSC 375: Stream Ecology Lecture (3 cr.)
- BSC 376: Stream Ecology Laboratory (1 cr.)
- BSC 378: Limnology (3 cr.)
- BSC 379: Limnology Laboratory (1 cr.)
- CHE 280: Environmental Chemistry (3 cr.)
- GEO 207: Natural Disasters (3 cr.)
- GEO 211: Earth’s Dynamic Weather (3 cr.)
- GEO 276: Environmental Geology (3 cr.)
- GEO 341: Climate & Global Environmental Change (3 cr.)
- GEO 344: Biogeography (3 cr.)
- GEO 361: Hydrology (3 cr.)
- GEO 380: Geomorphology (3 cr.)
- HSC 257: Air Quality & Pollution Control (3 cr.)
- PHY 207: Energy and Society (3 cr.)
Group 2: Choose 3 courses (minimum of 9 credits)
- ECO 255: Intro. to Environmental & Natural Resource Economics (3 cr.)
- ENG 249: Technical & Professional Writing I (3 cr.)
- GEO 303: Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.)
- GEO 334: Political Ecology (3 cr.)
- HIS 240: American Environmental History (3 cr.)
- HSC 156: Environmental Health in the 21st Century (3 cr.)
- PHI 236: Values and the Environment (3 cr.)
- PHI 250: Philosophy of Science (3 cr.)
- POL 232: Politics & Public Policy (3 cr.)
- POL 236: Environmental Politics & Policy (3 cr.)
- POL 254: Global Issues (3 cr.)
- SOA 330: Society & Environment (3 cr.)
- SOA 362: Population (3 cr.)
Students may also choose to pursue one environmentally-based independent study or one environmentally-based internship to fulfill up to 3 credits toward the minor.
Note: No more than 9 credits may be selected from the student’s major department.
