Unlike other majors in the College of Natural Resources, the Environmental Studies major is not a single field of study leading to a specific profession. This degree prepares students to understand broad biological, physical, social, and political aspects of natural resource problems and environmental issues.
Students also work with their advisor to design a 15-credit emphasis for their degree. Some students choose to focus on topics not covered by traditional majors, such as environmental policy or interpretation. Others combine Environmental Studies with another University minor or major (soils, journalism, business, etc.) in order to meet their educational interests and objectives.
Melanie brings her experience in academic advising, and her love for students to help them succeed in their education and future careers.
- Semester-by-semester planning
- Connecting with clubs
- Changing your major
- Academic success resources
- Career planning
- Graduate school planning
- Undergraduate research opportunities
- Selecting degree program electives
FAQ
What is Environmental Studies?
Environmental Studies is a flexible field of study that helps prepare students for a variety of careers that involve people and their relationship to the natural world.
This degree prepares students to understand broad biological, physical, social, and political aspects of natural resource problems and environmental issues.
What type of students study Environmental Studies?
Students who …
- Are interested in the interactions between humans and nature.
- Are interested in applying social sciences, such as economics or political science, to help protect the environment.
- Want to promote environmental literacy as educators and communicators.
- Want to learn about the natural world without a heavy science or math emphasis.
- Want to prepare for graduate study, law school or an MBA.
What do Environmental Studies majors study?
Environmental Studies students take foundation courses in:
- Biological and social sciences
- Writing
- Statistics
They then take a range of courses exploring:
- Human dimensions of natural resources
- Economics
- Collaborative problem solving
- Policy
What type of jobs do graduates get?
- Environmental communicators or educators in business, government, or non-profit organizations.
- With public land management agencies in fields such as public affairs, visitor services, policy, planning.
- In international programs fostering sustainable development.
- As advocates for environmental causes or natural resource constituencies.
Where are our graduates now?
- Executive director, National Cattlemen's Association (Class of 2006)
- Graduate student, organic agriculture (Class 0f 2010)
- Interpretive planner/educator, Southern Utah University (Class of 2011)
- Law school student, BYU (Class of 2008)
- Open Air Cinema Foundation, Haiti (Class of 2008)
SAMPLE 4 YEAR PLAN
Below is a sample four year plan. Students should meet regularly with their advisor and carefully plan their academic program, keeping in mind that many upper division courses have prerequisites and must me taken in sequence. Students following the recommended schedule listed below should be able to complete degree requirements in four years or eight semesters.
All courses required for the major must be taken on an A-B-C-D-F basis. A grade of C- or better is required for all courses taken in the major department. The grade point average for all courses taught by the Quinney College of Natural Resources must be 2.5 or higher.
| FRESHMAN FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| ENGL 1010 (CL 1) Intro to Writing: Academic Prose |
3 |
| GEOG 1000 (BPS) Physical Geography OR CHEM 1010 (BPS) Intro to Chemistry OR GEO 1360 (BPS) Planet Earth OR GEO 1110 (BPS) Physical Geology (3cr) and GEO 1115 Physical Geology Laboratory (1cr) |
3 |
| ENVS 1350 (BLS) Intro to Environmental Science OR BIOL 1010 (BLS) Biology and the Citizen |
|
| ENVS/WILD/WATS 2000 NR Professional Orientation |
1 |
| Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) | 3 |
| Electives/Minor | 2 |
| FRESHMAN SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| STAT 1040 (QL) Intro to Statistics OR STAT 1045 Intro to Statistics with Elements of Algebra OR STAT 2000 Statistical Methods |
3 |
| GEOG 1300 (BSS) World Regional Geography | 3 |
| WILD 2200 (BLS) Ecology of our Changing World |
3 |
| Breadth Creative Humanites (BHU) |
3 |
| Electives/Minor |
3 |
| SOPHOMORE FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| ENVS 3500 (QI) Quant Assessment of Environmental & NR Problems |
3 |
| ENVS 3300 (CL2) Fundamentals of Recreation Resources Mgmt |
3 |
| GEOG 1800 Intro to Geographic Information Sciences |
3 |
| Electives/Minor |
6 |
| SOPHOMORE SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| ENGL 2010 (CL2) Intermediate Writing |
3 |
| ENVS 2340 (BSS) Natural Resources and Society OR ENVS 3330 Enviroment and Society |
3 |
| Breadth American Institutions (BAI) | 3 |
| Electives/Minor |
6 |
| JUNIOR FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| APEC 1600 (DSS) Natural Resources & American Economic Institutions OR APEC 3012 (DSS) Intro to NR and Regional Economics |
3 |
| ENVS 3600 Living with Wildlife OR PSC 4810 (DSC/QI) Climate & Climate Change |
3 |
| Degree Electives |
3 |
| Electives/Minor |
6 |
| JUNIOR SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 18 |
| ENVS 4700 (CI) Communicating Sustainability |
3 |
| ENVS 3010 Fundamentals of Natural Resources & Environmental Policy |
3 |
| Degree Electives |
3 |
| Electives/Minor |
9 |
| SENIOR FALL | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| ENVS 4000 (DSS) Human Dimesnsions or NR Management OR ENVS 4110 Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management |
3 |
| Degree Electives |
6 |
| Electives/Minor |
6 |
| SENIOR SPRING | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 15 |
| ENVS 5000 Environmental Nonprofit & Volunteer Management |
3 |
| ENVS 4020 (DHA/CI) Foundations of Enviromental Studies |
3 |
| Degree ELectives |
3 |
| Electives/Minors |
6 |
