Students pursuing an Environmental Studies (ES) major complete an Environmental Studies Core plus six to eight courses comprising a disciplinary Focus. Students are encouraged to complete some courses in the Core before beginning coursework toward the Focus. Students should consult an ES advisor for assistance with planning a course of study. Students wishing to substitute a second major for the Focus area must submit a formal, written request to the ES Chair to be considered by the ES Committee. Given the deeply interdisciplinary nature of the ES Core and the in-depth study involved in the Focus area, students completing the ES major, an additional three credits in the Fine Arts, and six additional credits in the Social Sciences* fulfill the requirements of three PEAKs: Humanities & Fine Arts; Social Sciences & History; and Natural Sciences & Mathematics.
The Environmental Studies Core (36 credits) introduces essential concepts in environmental studies, foundational approaches to the study of the environment, and the specific ways in which environmental studies are practiced in various disciplines. Courses in the Core should be taken as early as possible.
*Students participating in the Winter Wilderness Experience (WWE) can fulfill 3 of the 6 required Social Science elective credits. ENV-151 Introduction to Human Geography can also fulfill 3 of the 6 required Social Science elective credits.
Chemistry Focus
All human activity depends upon energy, chemical systems, and the earth's elemental cycles, and our dependence upon these systems has had profound effects on our environment. The water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles, for example, reflect the impact of human activity. Addressing environmental problems from a chemical perspective necessitates generating data about the properties of chemical systems, interpreting those data, and understanding the study of matter. In the Chemistry Focus, students study techniques for chemical analysis, the complexities of matter, the earth's elemental cycles, and electrochemistry, and gain experience conducting chemical analyses and interpreting scientific data. The Chemistry Focus provides students with a solid base of coursework that enables exploration of crucial concerns affecting the physical environment.
60 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Environmental Studies Core Requirements
| ENV-200 | Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| IND-305.1 | Winter Wilderness Experience | 2 credits |
Environment, Ecology, and Natural Systems
| BIO-140 | Idaho Natural History | 3 credits |
| BIO-140L | Idaho Natural History Laboratory | 1 credit |
| ENV-160 | Environmental Science I | 3 credits |
| ENV-160L | Environmental Science I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| ENV-260 | Environmental Science II | 3 credits |
| ENV-260L | Environmental Science II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | or | |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity | 3 credits |
Analytical and Quantitative Skills
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
Environmental Thought in the United States
| ENG-239 | Visions of Environment | 3 credits |
Global Perspective on Environment
| ATH-309 | Cross-Cultural Approaches to Environment | 3 credits |
Public Policy and the Environment
| POE-339 | Environmental Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| POE-389 | Ecological Economics | 3 credits |
Values and the Environment
| PHI-340 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 credits |
| - | | |
| REL-348 | Religion and Science | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| REL-349 | Religion and Nature | 3 credits |
Senior Capstone Integrative Seminar
Chemistry Focus Requirements
| CHE-141 | General Chemistry I | 4 credits |
| CHE-142 | General Chemistry II | 4 credits |
| CHE-252 | Analytical Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHE-252L | Analytical Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHE-301 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHE-301L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHE-302 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHE-302L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHE-352 | Analytical Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHE-352L | Analytical Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
Conservation Biology Focus
Understanding the biology of organisms, populations, and ecosystems is essential to addressing environmental issues. The ability to collect and interpret biological data reliably and to gather and interpret relevant scientific literature allows for the critical evaluation of ecological issues and contributes to sound environmental decision making. In the Conservation Biology Focus, students gain both a conceptual framework and the laboratory and field experience needed to understand the biological aspects of environmental issues.
58-60 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Environmental Studies Core Requirements
| ENV-200 | Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| IND-305.1 | Winter Wilderness Experience | 2 credits |
Environment, Ecology, and Natural Systems
| BIO-140 | Idaho Natural History | 3 credits |
| BIO-140L | Idaho Natural History Laboratory | 1 credit |
| ENV-160 | Environmental Science I | 3 credits |
| ENV-160L | Environmental Science I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| ENV-260 | Environmental Science II | 3 credits |
| ENV-260L | Environmental Science II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | or | |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity | 3 credits |
Analytical and Quantitative Skills
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
Environmental Thought in the United States
| ENG-239 | Visions of Environment | 3 credits |
Global Perspective on Environment
| ATH-309 | Cross-Cultural Approaches to Environment | 3 credits |
Public Policy and the Environment
| POE-339 | Environmental Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| POE-389 | Ecological Economics | 3 credits |
Values and the Environment
| PHI-340 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 credits |
| - | | |
| REL-348 | Religion and Science | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| REL-349 | Religion and Nature | 3 credits |
Senior Capstone Integrative Seminar
Conservation Biology Focus Requirements
| BIO-201 | Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 credits |
| BIO-201L | Molecules to Cells Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | or | |
| BIO-210 | Molecules to Cells With Integrated Laboratory Research | 4 credits |
| - | | |
| BIO-202 | Organismal Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO-202L | Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 credit |
| BIO-306 | Conservation Biology | 3 credits |
| ENV-350 | Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS) | 2 credits |
| ENV-350L | Introduction to Geographic Information System Laboratory | 1 credit |
Complete 1 Systematics course from the following:
Complete 1 Ecology course from the following:
Recommended course (but not required):
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
Literature Focus
Our values, beliefs, and language relate deeply to environmental issues and attitudes. Similarly, the human imagination and the stories that we tell ourselves reflect and affect the physical environment. Studying the literary tradition allows us to reflect on historical assumptions and understandings about how humans relate to their world. In the Literature Focus, students examine the British, American, and World literary traditions, and study theories concerning how literature makes meaning for readers.
60 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Environmental Studies Core Requirements
| ENV-200 | Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| IND-305.1 | Winter Wilderness Experience | 2 credits |
Environment, Ecology, and Natural Systems
| BIO-140 | Idaho Natural History | 3 credits |
| BIO-140L | Idaho Natural History Laboratory | 1 credit |
| ENV-160 | Environmental Science I | 3 credits |
| ENV-160L | Environmental Science I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| ENV-260 | Environmental Science II | 3 credits |
| ENV-260L | Environmental Science II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | or | |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity | 3 credits |
Analytical and Quantitative Skills
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
Environmental Thought in the United States
| ENG-239 | Visions of Environment | 3 credits |
Global Perspective on Environment
| ATH-309 | Cross-Cultural Approaches to Environment | 3 credits |
Public Policy and the Environment
| POE-339 | Environmental Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| POE-389 | Ecological Economics | 3 credits |
Values and the Environment
| PHI-340 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 credits |
| - | | |
| REL-348 | Religion and Science | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| REL-349 | Religion and Nature | 3 credits |
Senior Capstone Integrative Seminar
Literature Focus Requirements
| ENG-280 | Theory and Methods of the Study of Literature | 3 credits |
| ENG-498 | Senior Thesis Seminar in Literature | 3 credits |
Complete at least 1 course from the following:
| ENG-245 | Poetry Writing Workshop | 3 credits |
| ENG-246 | Fiction Writing Workshop | 3 credits |
| ENG-247 | Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop | 3 credits |
Complete 12 credits of upper division (300-level) Literature Seminars from the following:
American Literature
Complete at least 1 course from the following:
| ENG-329 | Inventing America | 3 credits |
| ENG-330 | African American Literature | 3 credits |
| ENG-331 | Gardens of American Literature | 3 credits |
| ENG-332 | Adrienne Rich | 3 credits |
| ENG-333 | Hemingway and Faulkner | 3 credits |
| ENG-334 | Ecopoetics | 3 credits |
| ENG-335 | American Renaissance | 3 credits |
English Literature before 1789
Complete at least 1 course from the following:
| ENG-306 | The Seventeenth-Century Lyric | 3 credits |
| ENG-307 | Origins and Traditions of English Literature | 3 credits |
| ENG-308 | Rival Playwrights: Marlowe, Shakespeare, Johnson | 3 credits |
| ENG-309 | The Epic Tradition | 3 credits |
| ENG-310 | English Renaissance Literature | 3 credits |
| ENG-311 | Drama of Early Modern Europe | 3 credits |
English Literature after 1789
Complete at least 1 course from the following:
| ENG-315 | The Supernatural in British Literature | 3 credits |
| ENG-316 | The Brontes | 3 credits |
| ENG-317 | Nineteenth-Century British Fiction | 3 credits |
| ENG-318 | Prize Books | 3 credits |
| ENG-319 | Nineteenth-Century Literature of the British Isles | 3 credits |
| ENG-320 | Twentieth-Century Literature of the British Isles | 3 credits |
Postcolonial Literature
Complete at least 1 course from the following:
| ENG-322 | V. S. Naipaul and Salman Rushdie | 3 credits |
| ENG-323 | Postcolonial Studies | 3 credits |
| ENG-324 | Narratives Against Oppression | 3 credits |
| ENG-325 | Constructing World Literatures | 3 credits |
Philosophy Focus
With the increasing power of modern science and technology to affect nature, reflections upon the place of humanity in the universe have taken on special urgency. These reflections include questions about the limits of scientific knowledge, the ethical obligations of humans to non-human life and the environment, and technology's impact on humanity's self-understanding. The philosophy emphasis enables a student to examine these and other issues thoughtfully by introducing the most important ideas in Western philosophy and developing students' abilities in critical analysis, argumentation, and presentation.
52-55 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Environmental Studies Core Requirements
| ENV-200 | Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| IND-305.1 | Winter Wilderness Experience | 2 credits |
Environment, Ecology, and Natural Systems
| BIO-140 | Idaho Natural History | 3 credits |
| BIO-140L | Idaho Natural History Laboratory | 1 credit |
| ENV-160 | Environmental Science I | 3 credits |
| ENV-160L | Environmental Science I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| ENV-260 | Environmental Science II | 3 credits |
| ENV-260L | Environmental Science II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | or | |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity | 3 credits |
Analytical and Quantitative Skills
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
Environmental Thought in the United States
| ENG-239 | Visions of Environment | 3 credits |
Global Perspective on Environment
| ATH-309 | Cross-Cultural Approaches to Environment | 3 credits |
Public Policy and the Environment
| POE-339 | Environmental Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| POE-389 | Ecological Economics | 3 credits |
Values and the Environment
| PHI-340 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 credits |
| - | | |
| REL-348 | Religion and Science | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| REL-349 | Religion and Nature | 3 credits |
Senior Capstone Integrative Seminar
Philosophy Focus Requirements
| PHI-214 | Introduction to Logic | 3 credits |
| PHI-310 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 credits |
| PHI-311 | Modern Philosophy | 3 credits |
| PHI-331 | Ethics | 3 credits |
| PHI-498 | Philosophy Seminar | 1 credit |
| PHI-REL- | Upper-Division non-Western Philosophy or Religion course | 3 credits |
Political Economy Focus
The study of the environment requires an understanding of natural systems and of values, beliefs, and language. The application of this knowledge can lead to important social and environmental change. The focus in Politics and Economics, which emphasizes public policy, allows Environmental Studies majors to apply their knowledge to affect substantive change to their communities, regions, and society. A thorough comprehension of political and economic systems, philosophies, and methods is critical for students to become influential members of society.
57 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Environmental Studies Core Requirements
| ENV-200 | Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| IND-305.1 | Winter Wilderness Experience | 2 credits |
| - | | |
| BIO-140 | Idaho Natural History | 3 credits |
Environment, Ecology, and Natural Systems
| BIO-140 | Idaho Natural History | 3 credits |
| BIO-140L | Idaho Natural History Laboratory | 1 credit |
| ENV-160 | Environmental Science I | 3 credits |
| ENV-160L | Environmental Science I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| ENV-260 | Environmental Science II | 3 credits |
| ENV-260L | Environmental Science II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | or | |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity | 3 credits |
Analytical and Quantitative Skills
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
Environmental Thought in the United States
| ENG-239 | Visions of Environment | 3 credits |
Global Perspective on Environment
| ATH-309 | Cross-Cultural Approaches to Environment | 3 credits |
Public Policy and the Environment
| POE-339 | Environmental Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| POE-389 | Ecological Economics | 3 credits |
Values and the Environment
| PHI-340 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 credits |
| - | | |
| REL-348 | Religion and Science | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| REL-349 | Religion and Nature | 3 credits |
Senior Capstone Integrative Seminar
Political Economy Focus Requirements
| POE-241 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 credits |
| POE-250 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 3 credits |
| POE-263 | Introduction to Political Economy | 3 credits |
| POE-299 | Evidence, Proof, and Knowledge | 3 credits |
| POE-498 | Senior Seminar: Political Economy | 3 credits |
Complete 2 upper-division (300- or 400-level) courses in Political Economy (at least one course should have an international emphasis):
| POE-ELEC- | Upper-Division Courses (POE ES Core course not included) | 6 credits |
Self-Designed Focus
46-60 credits (Total does not include prerequisite courses)
Environmental Studies Core Requirements
| ENV-200 | Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| IND-305.1 | Winter Wilderness Experience | 2 credits |
Environment, Ecology, and Natural Systems
| BIO-140 | Idaho Natural History | 3 credits |
| BIO-140L | Idaho Natural History Laboratory | 1 credit |
| ENV-160 | Environmental Science I | 3 credits |
| ENV-160L | Environmental Science I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | | |
| ENV-260 | Environmental Science II | 3 credits |
| ENV-260L | Environmental Science II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| - | or | |
| BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity | 3 credits |
Analytical and Quantitative Skills
| MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
Environmental Thought in the United States
| ENG-239 | Visions of Environment | 3 credits |
Global Perspective on Environment
| ATH-309 | Cross-Cultural Approaches to Environment | 3 credits |
Public Policy and the Environment
| POE-339 | Environmental Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| POE-389 | Ecological Economics | 3 credits |
Values and the Environment
| PHI-340 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 credits |
| - | | |
| REL-348 | Religion and Science | 3 credits |
| - | or | |
| REL-349 | Religion and Nature | 3 credits |
Senior Capstone Integrative Seminar
Self-Designed Focus Requirements
Students may design a Focus in consultation with an ES advisor. All self-designed Foci must include in-depth study within a single field or discipline and at least 10 upper-division units, and must be approved by the ES Program Committee by the end of the junior year. If you are interested in designing a Focus, see your ES advisor or the Chair of the ES Program.