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Peter Schulze, Director
The Center for Environmental Studies promotes multidisciplinary inquiry of environmental issues and problems through education, research, and outreach programs. These programs are designed to increase scientific knowledge, expand community awareness and foster greater appreciation for the interdependence of humans and other species. The center also serves as a catalyst for innovation in support of its educational, business, and community constituencies.
A major in environmental studies normally consists of 10 course credits including Environmental Studies 235 and 479, Economics 242, Philosophy 207 or 307, an approved project (see below), and one of the following: Biology 334, Biology 346, or Physics 240. In addition to the college requirement that a major include at least three courses above 300, the environmental studies major requires at least six courses above 200. The following courses are some of the Austin College courses approved for the environmental studies major, with the exception that Biology 115 and Economics 111 may be counted only if taken to satisfy a prerequisite for another approved course on this list. The director must approve any other courses chosen as electives for the environmental studies major.
- BIOL 115 Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology
- BIOL 334 Ecology (Prerequisite: BIOL 115)
- BIOL 346 Ecosystem Ecology (Prerequisites – see course description)
- CHEM 101 Environmental Chemistry
- ECO 111 Principles of Economics
- ECO 242 Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
(Prerequisite: ECO 111) - ENVS 235 Introduction to Environmental Studies
- ENVS 230 Globalization
(See note at ENVS 330) - ENVS 330 Globalization
(Prerequisites – see course description. Environmental Studies majors should enroll in 330 rather than 230 when feasible.) - ENVS 479 Environmental Policy (Prerequisites – see course description)
- HIST 250 European Environmental History
- MATH 120 Elementary Statistics or PSY 120 or SSCI 120
- PHIL 207 Environmental Philosophy (see note at PHIL 307)
- PHIL 307 Environmental Philosophy
(Prerequisites – see course description. Environmental Studies majors should enroll in 307 rather than 207 when feasible.) - PHY 101 The Day After Tomorrow: Global Climate and Extreme Weather
- PHY 240 Atmospheric and Environmental Physics
(Prerequisites – see course description) - PSY 120 Statistics for Psychologists or MATH 120 or SSCI 120
- PSY 222 Environmental Psychology
- SSCI 120 Social Science Statistics or MATH 120 or PSY 120
Students who are interested in the environmental studies major are strongly encouraged to consult the program director at their earliest convenience, especially because eligibility for particular postgraduate opportunities may require that students complete additional courses that are not required for the environmental studies major. Students also are encouraged to study the webpage of the environmental studies program.
Students who plan to major in environmental studies should select elective courses for the major that are best suited to their particular interests and should choose a minor (or second major) that best complements their interests in environmental studies. The director must approve any courses that are not included in the above list.
The director must approve the experiential learning activity that serves as the required project for the major. Possible formats include a directed study, independent study, honors thesis, or one of the various non-credit formats such as an internship or summer research position. Junior status is a prerequisite for project approval. The director must approve written project plans 12 months before graduation. Upon completion, students describe their projects in public presentations to the campus community. Environmental studies majors whose approved project will not result in course credit (e.g. a summer internship, service work, or summer research job) should register for Environmental Studies 480 during the term that they will give the public presentation on their project.
A minor in environmental studies normally consists of five course credits, including Environmental Studies 235 and 479, and three other approved courses from at least two of the college’s divisions (humanities, natural sciences, social sciences). The minor must include at least two courses from different departments from the following list. Pre-approval from the director is required to substitute any course not listed.
- BIOL 334 Ecology
- BIOL 346 Ecosystem Ecology
- ECO 242 Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
- PHIL 207 Environmental Philosophy
- PHIL 307 Environmental Philosophy
- PHY 240 Atmospheric and Environmental Physics
See the Austin College Bulletin
Visit the Center for Environmental Studies
