Units required for Major: 63-64
Total units required for BS: 120
Program Description
Students will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental challenges and their solutions. Environmental issues are taught as scientific problems within a political and social context. Alongside learning the disciplinary knowledge and practice, the degree emphasizes skills in communication, cooperation and service.
Graduates are typically employed as natural scientists, technicians, planners, or policy-makers, 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, communication, 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 1A | General Chemistry I 1 | 5 |
| or CHEM 6A | Introduction to General Chemistry | |
| ECON 1B | Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 10 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| GEOG 1 | Atmosphere, Landscapes & Life: Intro to Physical Geography 1 | 3 |
| or GEOL 10 | Physical Geology | |
| Required Upper Division Courses (21 Units) | ||
| BIO 160 | General Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 111 | Environmental Ethics 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 112 | International Environmental Problems 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 120 | Quantitative Methods for Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENVS 121 | Field Methods in Environmental Science | 2 |
| ENVS 187 | Environmental Studies Seminar | 1 |
| ENVS 190 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| ENVS 195 | Environmental Studies Internship | 3 |
| Policy Electives (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA | ||
| Environment and the Law | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Environmental Science Electives (15 Units) 2 | ||
| Select five of the following courses: | 15 | |
| 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 | ||
| Environmental Management and Decision-Making | ||
| Wetlands Ecology | ||
| Ethnoecology 1 | ||
| American Environmental History 1 | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Spatial Analysis in GIS | ||
| Total Units | 62-63 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 2
A student may substitute up to 6 units of ENVS electives with courses 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. 5 | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (9 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course 3 | 0 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course 6 | 3 | |
| 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 | ||
| Area F Course (3 units) | ||
| 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 - is recommended for Environmental Study majors to meet the GE A3 requirement.
- 3
Course required by the Environmental Studies Major; also satisfies this GE requirement.
- 4
STAT 1 is recommended for Environmental Studies majors because it is also a prerequisite for a required course in the major: ENVS 120 - Quantitative Methods.
- 5
The elective, ENVS 163 also satisfies this GE requirement.
- 6
Elective ENVS 165 also satisfies this GE requirement.
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, BS: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| ECON 1B | Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis | 3 |
| ENVS 10 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 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 1A or CHEM 6A |
General Chemistry I 3 or Introduction to General Chemistry |
5 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 12-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 160 | General Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 111 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ENVS 120 | Quantitative Methods for Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENVS 121 | Field Methods in Environmental Science | 2 |
| ENVS 187 | Environmental Studies Seminar | 1 |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENVS 112 | International Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENVS 122 |
Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA 3 or Environment and the Law or Environment and the Law or Environmental Politics and Policy or Environmental Politics and Policy |
3 |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENVS 190 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| ENVS 195 | Environmental Studies Internship | 3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 117-121 | |
Environmental Studies, BS: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| BIO 160 | General Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 111 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ENVS 121 | Field Methods in Environmental Science | 2 |
| ENVS 187 | Environmental Studies Seminar | 1 |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENVS 112 | International Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENVS 120 | Quantitative Methods for Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENVS 122 |
Environmental Impact Analysis: CEQA and NEPA 3 or Environment and the Law or Environment and the Law or Environmental Politics and Policy or Environmental Politics and Policy |
3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENVS 190 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| ENVS 195 | Environmental Studies Internship | 3 |
| ENVS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 62 | |
- 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.