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Environmental StudiesEnvironmental Humanities | Environmental Science

Overview

The Environmental Studies Program offers students an education in the complex relationships that exist between natural systems and human cultures.

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This program will challenge you to:

  • Think critically, obtain and analyze data, and speak and write effectively about the environment.
  • Provide leadership in helping your communities address environmental issues.
  • Complete a set of core classes and also receive in-depth training in a specific focus discipline.
Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Major
Environmental Studies Major

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Major Requirements

I. Environmental Studies Core (26 credits)

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
ENV-151Introduction to Human Geography3 credits
ENV-161Environmental Systems Science
ENV-161LEnvironmental Systems Science Lab
ENV-200Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies3 credits
ENG-239Visions of Environment3 credits
CHE-141General Chemistry I3 credits
CHE-141LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I
PHI-340Environmental Philosophy3 credits
ENV-350Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)2 credits
ENV-350LIntroduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab1 credits
ENV-402Senior Capstone3 credits

II. Math (3 credits)

Take ONE of the following math courses:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics3 credits
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis3 credits

The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125 or MAT-212) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.

III. Natural History/Earth Science (4 credits)

Take ONE of the following lab/field courses:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-140Idaho Natural History3 credits
BIO-140LIdaho Natural History Lab1 credits
GEO-101Physical Geology3 credits
GEO-101LPhysical Geology Lab1 credits

IV. Geography (3 credits)

Take ONE upper-division geography course:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
ENV-330Working Landscapes and Global Climate3 credits
ENV-355Urban Geography3 credits
ENV-357Applied Cartography3 credits

V. Electives (6–9 credits)

Take TWO of the following courses (NOTE: BIO-203 is a prerequisite for the 300-level BIO courses):

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-203Ecology, Evolution and Diversity3 credits
BIO-203LEcology Evolution and Diversity Lab1 credits
BIO-306Conservation Biology3 credits
BIO-317Stream Ecology3 credits
BIO-317LStream Ecology Lab1 credits
BIO-319Ichthyology3 credits
BIO-319LIchthyology Lab1 credits
BIO-322.1Field Botany3 credits
BIO-322LField Botany Lab1 credits
BIO-326Coastal Marine Ecology4 credits
BIO-326LCoastal Marine Ecology Lab1 credits
BIO-331Evolution3 credits
BIO-331LEvolution Lab1 credits
BIO-340Zoology3 credits
BIO-340LZoology Laboratory1 credits
BIO-345Ecology3 credits
BIO-345LEcology Lab1 credits
BIO-346Field Biology4 credits
BIO-346.1Field Biology Preparation2 credits
GEO-310Earth's Dynamic Climate System3 credits
GEO-320Watershed Hydrology3 credits

Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Minor
Environmental Humanities Minor

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Humanities & Fine Arts

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Minor Requirements (16–18 credits):

Complete the following courses (9 credits):

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
ENG-239Visions of Environment3 credits
ENV-200Nature and Culture: Introduction to Environmental Studies3 credits
PHI-340Environmental Philosophy3 credits

Humanities Electives

Complete 2 courses (6 credits) from the following:

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
ENG-265Topics in Literature--American3 credits
ENG-365Advanced Topics in Literature--American3 credits
ENV-389Reading the Mountains: Scotland AbroadPrep1 credits
ENV-390Reading the Mountains: Scotland and LakeDistrict Abroad4 credits
IND-305.1Winter Wilderness Experience2 credits
IND-305.2Winter Wilderness Experience4 credits
IND-325Regional Cultures of the British Isles3 credits
IND-332London: Art/History/Literature3 credits
IND-333London: Art/History/Literature4 credits
PHI-210Human Nature and the Scientific Worldview3 credits
PHI-316Philosophy of the Mind3 credits

For ENV-389 and ENV-390, IND-305.1 and IND-305.2, IND-332 and IND-333, and IND-325, only 3 credits may count toward this category.

Creative Activity Requirement (1–3 credits)

Take 3 credits from the approved Creative Activities courses.

Humanities & Fine Arts Social Sciences & History Natural Sciences & Mathematics Professional Studies & Enhancements
Minor
Environmental Science Minor

Peaks this program fulfills

  • Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Courses and Requirements

View this degree in the course catalog

Minor Requirements

13-18 credits

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
ENV-161Environmental Systems Science
ENV-161LEnvironmental Systems Science Lab

Complete one additional introductory course (3-4 credits):

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-140Idaho Natural History3 credits
BIO-140LIdaho Natural History Lab1 credits
CHE-141General Chemistry I3 credits
CHE-141LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I
GEO-101Physical Geology3 credits
GEO-101LPhysical Geology Lab1 credits
GEO-150Physical Geography3 credits

Complete one mathematics course (3 credits):

The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125 or  higher) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
MAT-125Data Analysis and Statistics3 credits
MAT-212Multiple Regression Analysis3 credits

Complete two of the following (6-10 credits; BIO-203 is prereq for all listed 300-level BIO course options):

Students gain depth in the Environmental Science minor through taking 2 courses at the 200-level or above. Course options can blend ENV, BIO and GEO courses, or focus within one area. 

Course ID Course Name Number of Credits
BIO-203Ecology, Evolution and Diversity3 credits
BIO-203LEcology Evolution and Diversity Lab1 credits
BIO-306Conservation Biology3 credits
BIO-317Stream Ecology3 credits
BIO-317LStream Ecology Lab1 credits
BIO-319Ichthyology3 credits
BIO-319LIchthyology Lab1 credits
BIO-322.1Field Botany3 credits
BIO-322LField Botany Lab1 credits
BIO-326Coastal Marine Ecology4 credits
BIO-345Ecology3 credits
BIO-345LEcology Lab1 credits
BIO-346.1Field Biology Preparation2 credits
BIO-346Field Biology4 credits
ENV-350Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)2 credits
ENV-350LIntroduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab1 credits
GEO-310Earth's Dynamic Climate System3 credits
GEO-320Watershed Hydrology3 credits
BIO-326LCoastal Marine Ecology Lab1 credits
BIO-340Zoology3 credits
BIO-340LZoology Laboratory1 credits

Winter Wilderness ExperienceAn adventure you won't forget!

Take a special four-week adventure in Idaho's breathtaking Sawtooth Mountains. You'll learn about the relationships between environmental studies, creative writing and literature's power for capturing the beauty of nature--and you'll learn how to telemark ski, too!

Belize

Fins Up!You better Belize it!

Join environmental studies professors on a memorable adventure to beautiful Belize, where you'll learn about coastal ecology and get a first-hand look at subtropical ecosystems. This study abroad experience includes snorkeling, jungle exploration and a visit to ancient Mayan ruins.

Fins Up!