Units required for Major: 62-64
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
Students will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental challenges and their solutions. Environmental topics are taught in their political, social and scientific context, with an emphasis on environmental behavior, policy and law. Alongside learning the disciplinary knowledge and practice, the degree emphasizes skills in research, evaluation, communication, cooperation, and service.
Graduates are typically employed as social scientists, planners, policy-makers or advocates in government, community-based organizations or industry working in food and agriculture, fish and wildlife, pollution and toxic substances, forestry and fire, air and water resources, recycling and recovery, and environmental consulting, advocacy, enforcement, and regulation.
Minimum Grade Requirement
A minimum grade of "C-" is required in all courses required for the Environmental Studies B.A. and B.S. majors.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (23-24 Units) | ||
| BIO 1 | Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology 1 | 5 |
| BIO 2 | Cells, Molecules and Genes | 4 - 5 |
| or BIO 10 & BIO 15L | Basic Biological Concepts Laboratory Investigations in Biology | |
| CHEM 6A | Introduction to General Chemistry 1 | 5 |
| or CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | |
| ECON 1B | Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 10 | Introduction to Environmental Science 1 | 3 |
| or ENVS 10H | Honors Environmental Science | |
| GEOG 1 | Atmosphere, Landscapes & Life: Intro to Physical Geography 1 | 3 |
| or GEOL 10 | Physical Geology | |
| Required Upper Division Courses (13 Units) | ||
| ENVS 111 | Environmental Ethics 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 112 | International Environmental Problems 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 187 | Environmental Studies Seminar | 1 |
| ENVS 190 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| ENVS 195 | Environmental Studies Internship | 3 |
| Research Methods (8 Units) | ||
| ENVS 120 | Quantitative Methods for Environmental Science | 3 |
| A minimum of 5 additional units from the following: | 5 | |
| Field Methods in Environmental Science | ||
| Laboratory in Ethnographic Techniques 2 | ||
| Fieldwork in Ethnology 2 | ||
| Cost Benefit Analysis | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Qualitative Methods in Geography | ||
| Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science | ||
| Policy and Management Electives (6 Units) | ||
| Select two of the following | 6 | |
| Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA | ||
| Environment and the Law | ||
| Environmental Management and Decision-Making | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Environmental Studies Electives (12 Units) 3 | ||
| Select four of the following courses: | 12 | |
| Contemporary Environmental Issues | ||
| Environmental Toxicology | ||
| California Water and Society | ||
| Conservation and Society | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sociology | ||
| Energy, Society, and the Environment | ||
| Sustainability Science & Policy | ||
| Urban Agriculture and Aquaponics | ||
| Agroecology | ||
| Restoration Ecology | ||
| Wetlands Ecology | ||
| Ethnoecology 1 | ||
| American Environmental History 1 | ||
| Environmental Justice (New course: Environmental Justice - Form A submitted concurrently) | ||
| Special Problems ( Requires faculty advisor) | ||
| Total Units | 62-63 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 2
We recommend taking ANTH 192B and ANTH 195B as a pair of courses for 3 units to satisfy a Research Methods elective.
- 3
A student may substitute up to 6 units of ENVS electives from other programs if the substitute course aligns with their career aspirations. Most commonly those courses are taught by Biology, Geography, Geology, History or RPTA but any courses aligned with the student's interests will be considered. Contact your major advisor for approval of a substitute course.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (6 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science 3 | 0 | |
| B2 - Life Forms 3 | 0 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 3 | 0 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts 4 | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (9 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C2 - Area C Course 3 | 0 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course 3 | 0 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 36 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
ENVS 11 (Environmental Issues and Critical Thinking recommended for Environmental Study majors to meet the GE A3 requirement
- 3
Course that satisfies this GE also required by the Environmental Studies major.
- 4
STAT 1 recommended for Environmental Studies majors because it is also a prerequisite for a required course in the major: ENVS 120 - Quantitative Methods.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) 2 | 0 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 3 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
ENVS 112 - International Environmental Problems - is required by the Major and also satisfies this Graduation Requirement.
- 3
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Environmental Studies, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| ECON 1B | Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis | 3 |
| ENVS 10 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 1 | Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology | 5 |
| GEOG 1 or GEOL 10 |
Atmosphere, Landscapes & Life: Intro to Physical Geography 3 or Physical Geology |
3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIO 2 |
Cells, Molecules and Genes 3 or Basic Biological Concepts or Laboratory Investigations in Biology |
1 - 5 |
| CHEM 6A or CHEM 1A |
Introduction to General Chemistry 3 or General Chemistry I |
5 |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 12-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| ENVS 111 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ENVS 120 | Quantitative Methods for Environmental Science | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENVS 121 |
Field Methods in Environmental Science 3 or Ethnographic Methods and Research Design or Fieldwork in Ethnology or Cost Benefit Analysis or Geographic Information Systems or Qualitative Methods in Geography or Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science |
2 - 3 |
| ENVS 187 | Environmental Studies Seminar | 1 |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16-17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENVS 112 | International Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENVS 122 |
Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA 3 or Environment and the Law or Environmental Management and Decision-Making or Environmental Politics and Policy |
3 |
| ENVS 195 | Environmental Studies Internship | 3 |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENVS 128 |
Environment and the Law 3 or Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA or Environmental Management and Decision-Making or Environmental Politics and Policy |
3 |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ANTH 192B |
Ethnographic Methods and Research Design 3 or Field Methods in Environmental Science or Fieldwork in Ethnology or Cost Benefit Analysis or Geographic Information Systems or Qualitative Methods in Geography or Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science |
2 - 3 |
| ENVS 190 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 14-15 | |
| Total Units | 117-123 | |
Environmental Studies, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| ENVS 111 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ENVS 121 |
Field Methods in Environmental Science 3 or Ethnographic Methods and Research Design or Fieldwork in Ethnology or Cost Benefit Analysis or Geographic Information Systems or Qualitative Methods in Geography or Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science |
2 - 3 |
| ENVS 187 | Environmental Studies Seminar | 1 |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16-17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENVS 112 | International Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENVS 122 |
Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA 3 or Environment and the Law or Environmental Management and Decision-Making or Environmental Politics and Policy |
3 |
| ENVS 195 | Environmental Studies Internship | 3 |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENVS 120 | Quantitative Methods for Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENVS 128 |
Environment and the Law 3 or Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA or Environmental Management and Decision-Making or Environmental Politics and Policy |
3 |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ANTH 192B |
Ethnographic Methods and Research Design 3 or Fieldwork in Ethnology or Field Methods in Environmental Science or Cost Benefit Analysis or Geographic Information Systems or Qualitative Methods in Geography or Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science |
2 - 3 |
| ENVS 190 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14-15 | |
| Total Units | 61-63 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.