Professor John Ritter (Geology), Director
Requirements for Minor
The Environmental Studies minor consists of 20 semester hours
distributed in two divisions: the Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Division and the Humanities and Social Science Division. Courses
with environmental content or relevance in both divisions have been
approved for credit toward the minor. To ensure interdisciplinary
instruction, at least 12 semester hours must be selected from a
minimum of two departments outside the division of the student’s
major, and at least eight semester hours must be selected from within
the division of the student’s major but outside the student’s major
department. Environmental Studies 101, an interdisciplinary course
designed as an introduction to environmental issues, problems, and
assessment, is required of each minor; it counts as credit in the Natural
Sciences and Mathematics Division for all minors.
The student interested in earning an Environmental Studies minor submits to the program director a written proposal describing the program of study chosen from the list of approved courses and satisfying the credit distributions of this minor. The proposal must also include a rationale that demonstrates coherence and the appropriateness of the program of study to the Environmental Studies minor as well as to the student’s major, personal interests and career goals. The proposal should be submitted and approved before the student enrolls in courses fulfilling a majority of the requirements, normally during the first or second year.
Course Listings101B/L. Assessing Human Impacts on the Environment. 4 semester hours.
Systematic, interdisciplinary approach to evaluating the impact of human activity on the natural environment. The student is challenged to find a balance between doing nothing to an environment and doing nothing for it. Alternate years.
490. Independent Study. 1-4 semester hours.
Individual research on a specialized topic or problem with an emphasis on the environment. Requires permission of the Environmental Studies Program Committee and the supervising faculty member. Open to only the Environmental Studies minor. This course may be repeated for credit.
491. Internship. 1-4 semester hours.
Work-study opportunity to experience the multidisciplinary nature of practical environmental problems, to relate course material to these problems and to observe decision-making processes associated with their solution. Requires permission of the Environmental Studies Program Committee and the supervising faculty member. Open to only the Environmental Studies minor. This course may be repeated for credit.
Courses Approved for the Environmental Studies Minor
Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division
The symbol* indicates courses identified by department chairs as having specific environmental content, whereas other courses have demonstrated environmental relevance. The student is encouraged to choose liberally from the courses with environmental content.
Recommended electives include:
