Environmental Studies

Advisors: Dunham, Nowak, Peña, Smith and Weida.

It has been the experience of many of the faculty that students may be better served in the job market with a traditional major and the environmental thematic minor, and that careful thought must go into any LAS major in these areas. In just four years it is difficult to achieve either the breadth or depth that is needed for any field, but the programs suggested here are designed to demonstrate the balance that is expected. students wishing to design their own LAS majors in Environmental Studies will need to consult with faculty advisers in the area of interest at the earliest possible time, preferably early in the first year.

For a LAS major in Environmental Studies, courses in calculus, statistics, introductory physical science, and field courses in geology and/or biology should be combined with a selection of appropriate non-science major environmental courses. A concentration of courses in one of the social sciences with topical environmental courses should be used to construct a core with at least three or four courses at the 300 or 400 level that are relevant to environmental studies. These courses should include such topics as public policy, demographics, and the economics of environmental regulation. Subjects such as the impact of war, funding of the military, legal resources, religious and ethical considerations, and the impact of the environment on art may also be relevant.

Courses