Environmental Studies, BA
View Environmental Studies Program website
Environmental studies is broadly defined as the study of nature, including the relationship of humans to the rest of the natural world. Presently, human activities are altering the life systems of our home planet. Climate change, species extinction, atmospheric pollution and loss of ancient forests are common knowledge, as is the planetary impact of human populations and consumption habits. These problems have a biological basis that requires the application of the scientific method to understand them, to discern cause and effects, and to pose scientifically tenable solutions. However, concern for and stewardship of the planet is not solely the purview of the scientist. Our understanding of these issues is impossible without social, cultural, political, ethical and economic considerations. The work of understanding these trends and forming alternate visions for the future draws upon ideas, information and insight from disciplines across the curriculum as well as from co-curricular activities.
The goals of the environmental studies major and minor are two-fold: 1) to help students achieve cross-disciplinary perspectives on the environment, and 2) to create a community of concern among students and faculty who participate in the study area-a community that encourages learning how to act as well as to understand. Even if no environmental problems existed, students and faculty would study how natural systems function, how the arts and social studies reveal connections between humanity and nature, and how the environment has nurtured philosophical and religious ideas about the place of humans in the universe.
To complete a major or minor in environmental studies, a student must satisfy the following requirements designed to establish the breadth and depth of knowledge consistent with the goals of the environmental studies study area.
Learning Outcomes
- Use an interdisciplinary approach that synthesizes information from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and appropriate methodological approaches of the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and the arts in environmental problem solving.
- Successfully conduct an environmentally themed inquiry that uses appropriate techniques drawn from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or the arts.
- Articulate ideas effectively in writing, oral presentations, or visual communication for diverse audiences.
- Reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens, professionals, and environmental stewards in a complex, interconnected world.
Degree Requirements
General College Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Environmental Studies, a student must satisfy the General College Requirements (see “Curriculum” section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:
Foundational Course Requirements
Students must complete each of the following four requirements:
3 credits hours college level Biology with lab
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite is successful completion of ENST 100.
3 credits hours college level Chemistry with lab
Toolkit Requirement
Students must complete one of the following Toolkit Courses:
Prerequisite(s): ANTH 101 or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 106 and BIOL 106L.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 106 with a grade of C- or better.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 and ECON 103.
Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101.
Application Requirement
Students must complete one of the following:
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100, or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100 or permission from the instructor.
Four (4) credits approved ENST Independent Study, Directed Research, or Internship
Approved Study Abroad or Field Studies course
Depth Requirements
Students choose one track to fulfill their depth requirement to provide significant expertise in a focused area. There are three available tracks: Environmental Science; Environmental Policy and Social Science; and Environmental Arts and Humanities. Depth requirements can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
- 16 ENST or ENST cross-listed credits, all within a single ENST track; eight (8) credits of which must be at the 300-400 level
or
-
Successful completion of an additional Major AND 8 credits must be ENST or ENST cross-listed credits within ENST depth track
Breadth Requirements
ENST Seminar Requirement
Students must complete ENST 490 - Environmental Studies Junior Seminar*
*Should be taken in the junior year prior to enrolling in the capstone experience.
Capstone Requirement
The capstone experience must consist of 8 credit hours, a student can satisfy it one of the following ways:
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100
OR
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100; ENST 490 and senior level standing or permission of the instructor.
OR
8 credit hours of SMP in another program
OR
Capstone Experience in another major with additional upper-level ENST course (not used to satisfy any other ENST requirement) as needed to reach 8 credit hours.
Credit Requirements
* See the SMCM Catalog for additional information on major credit count, courses offered, and other information on major.
- A minimum of 59 credits is required to fulfill the major.
- Students must earn a grade of C- or better, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better, in courses used to satisfy the major.
Environmental Tracks
The following courses, as well as other identified, occasional, ENST cross-listed course offerings, can be used to satisfy the elective requirements of the major and minor:
Environmental Science Track
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 106, BIOL 106L.
Prerequisite(s): Some topics may have prerequisites. Check the online “Schedule of Classes” for possible pre-requisites.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 271, BIOL 271L and consent of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): MRNE 110, BIOL 106
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 271, BIOL 271L.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 106, BIOL 106L, and CHEM 106.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 106.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 106.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 106 with a grade of C- or better.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 106 with a grade of C- or better.
Prerequisite(s): see course description.
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite is successful completion of ENST 100 and ENST 250.
OR
Prerequisite(s): MRNE 110 or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100 and ENST 182
Prerequisite(s): Any two of the following: ENST 100, MRNE 110, BIOL 105, BIOL 106, CHEM 106, ENST 250.
OR
Prerequisite(s): Any two of the following: MRNE 110, BIOL 105, BIOL 106, CHEM 106, ENST 250.
Prerequisite(s): Any two of the following: ENST 100, MRNE 110, BIOL 105, BIOL 106, CHEM 106, ENST 250.
OR
Prerequisite(s): Any two of the following: MRNE 110, BIOL 105, BIOL 106, CHEM 106, ENST 250.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100, CHEM 106, BIOL 311/MATH 221, BIOL 106, and MRNE 110.
OR
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 106, BIOL 311/MATH 221, BIOL 106, and MRNE 110.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100 and see course description.
Prerequisite(s): MRNE 110 , MRNE110L, and PHYS 121 , or PHYS 141 , or PHYS 151
Environmental Policy & Social Sciences Track
Prerequisite(s): ECON 102.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 102.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 and ECON 103.
Prerequisite(s): see course description.
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisites for the course are: ENST 100 or participation in the Justice Integrated Inquiry
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100 and see course description.
OR
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 206 with a grade of C- or better or PSYC 303 with a grade of C- or better.
Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101.
Prerequisite(s): SOCI 201.
Environmental Arts and Humanities Track
Prerequisite(s): ILCS 206, ILCS 260 or the consent of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ILCS 206, ILCS 260 or consent of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 102, CORE 101, NITZ 180, or CORE 301.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 204.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 204.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 102, CORE 101, or CORE 301.
Prerequisite(s): One 200-level writing course or the permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 304 and one 300-level literature course or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): see course description.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100 and see course description.
Summary of Environmental Studies Major Requirements
Sequence of Study
The student will develop a plan of study with their academic advisor to pursue their depth requirement in one of the three ENST elective tracks (Environmental Sciences; Environmental Social Science & Policy; Environmental Arts & Humanities).While it is recommended that students take 300- and 400-level courses during their third and fourth years, they may opt to enroll in these courses earlier with the instructor’s approval and at their discretion. The following sequence of study is a viable path for completing the ENST major in four years.
First Year
LEAD curriculum requirements
3 credits hours college level Biology with lab
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite is successful completion of ENST 100.
3 credits hours college level Chemistry with lab
Second Year
LEAD curriculum requirements
One of the following Toolkit Courses:
Prerequisite(s): ANTH 101 or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 106 and BIOL 106L.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 106 with a grade of C- or better.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 102 and ECON 103.
Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101.
Two ENST Cross-listed electives in “depth” or “breadth” tracks towards 16 credit hours in depth and 8 credit hours in breadth
Third Year
One of the following:
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100, or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100 or permission from the instructor.
Approved Study Abroad or Field Studies course
Four (4) credits approved ENST Independent Study, Directed Research, or Internship
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100 and junior level standing or permission of the instructor.
Two ENST Cross-listed electives in “depth” or “breadth” tracks towards 16 credit hours in depth and 8 credit hours in breadth
Fourth Year
Two ENST Cross-listed electives in “depth” or “breadth” tracks towards 16 credit hours in depth and 8 credit hours in breadth
The capstone experience must consist of 8 credit hours, a student can satisfy it one of the following ways:
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100
OR
Prerequisite(s): ENST 100; ENST 490 and senior level standing or permission of the instructor.
OR
8 credit hours of SMP in another program
OR
Capstone Experience in another major*
* with additional upper-level ENST course (not used to satisfy any other ENST requirement) as needed to reach 8 credit hours.