The minor in environmental studies provides students with an understanding of the multiple dimensions of environmental change. They take a coursework that represents the essence of the major, providing foundational knowledge of concepts and methods that relate to environmental natural and social sciences and the humanities. The minor empowers students to explore how their core area of study (i.e., their major) relates to scientific understanding of human-environment interactions, practical responses to environmental problems and values that shape human decisions and behavior.
Requirements
A minimum of 20 credit hours of Environmental Studies courses (ENVS), including a minimum of 9 upper-division credit hours, are required for the minor. All coursework applied to the minor must be completed with a grade of C- or better; no pass/fail work may be applied. The grade point average for all Environmental Studies coursework must equal 2.00 (C) or higher.
Students will be allowed to apply no more than 9 credit hours, including 6 upper-division credit hours, of transfer work towards a minor in Environmental Studies.
Coursework applied towards a minor in Environmental Studies can also be applied towards Gen. Ed. requirements.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS 1000 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 4 |
| ENVS 1001 | Introduction to Human Dimensions of Environmental Studies | 4 |
| Intermediate Social Science Courses | 3-4 | |
| Choose one: | ||
| Climate and Energy Justice | ||
| Topics in Environmental Social Sciences | ||
| Environmental Psychology | ||
| Environment, Media and Society | ||
| Governing the Environment | ||
| Foundations of Environmental Justice | ||
| Cornerstone Courses | 3 | |
| Choose one: | ||
| Energy and Climate Change: An Interdisciplinary Approach | ||
| Intermediate Environmental Problem Analysis: Topical Cornerstones | ||
| Sustainable Economies | ||
| Energy Policy and Society | ||
| Minor Electives | 6 | |
| (ENVS courses not used to fill any of the requirements above.) | ||
Take any 3- or 4-credit ENVS courses at the 2000-level or above | ||
Take any 3- or 4-credit Upper-division ENVS course | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 20-21 | |
Plan(s) of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENVS 1000 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENVS 1001 | Introduction to Human Dimensions of Environmental Studies | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Intermediate Social Science ENVS course | 3-4 | |
| Credit Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Cornerstone ENVS course | 3-4 | |
| Credit Hours | 3-4 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ENVS Elective course | 3-4 | |
| Credit Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENVS Elective course | 3-4 | |
| Credit Hours | 3-4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 20-24 | |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Integrate scientific principles of earth systems and human-environment interactions, understanding of perspectives and values, and practical responses in the study of environmental problems and proposed solutions.
- Evaluate different sources, claims and data for environmental topics and construct their own arguments.
- Produce an independent research-based analysis of an environmental issue.
- Evaluate contrasting perspectives on and values for environmental issues.
- Generate effective communication about environmental topics in written and oral format.
- Evaluate how environmental movements, policies, decision-making processes, benefits, information and burdens are shaped by and influence systems of exploitation and inequality.