Environmental Studies Requirement
In the early twenty-first century, environmental challenges—including deforestation, climate change, pollution, water resources, habitat loss, and the food and energy needs of a growing population—are among the most pressing issues facing the world. Many environmental processes operate at a global scale and create natural and human consequences that cannot be addressed solely from within a single area or discipline. At the same time, local and historical conditions are always at issue in addressing environmental processes, problems, and possibilities. The study of critical environmental issues requires both area specific knowledge and knowledge that crosses traditional academic and geographic boundaries. The Environmental Studies program allows students to address these issues through focused interdisciplinary coursework and research.
The undergraduate major emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to environmental topics, incorporating models and methods from the humanities and social and natural sciences.
Students who are majoring in Environmental Studies are expected to build a foundation for studying environmental questions by completing basic course work both in the natural sciences and in quantitative analyses. The program draws on the existing strengths and interests of College faculty in a variety of disciplines and divisions. The curriculum is organized around required elements that include (1) a common introductory sequence; (2) course work in two broadly conceived thematic tracks; (3) a thesis; and (4) an internship or field studies component. The two thematic tracks are (1) environmental economics and policy, and (2) socio-natural systems and frameworks. Although students will design a program of study that will emphasize one of the tracks, course work from each will be included.
The major in Environmental Studies is coordinated by the Program on the Global Environment, which is housed in the Center for International Studies (P 101). Students in other fields of study may also complete a minor in Environmental Studies. Information follows the description of the major.
Students who wish to major or minor in Environmental Studies must declare with the Department and complete the program of study form for their chosen course track (see below). [Jump to Program Forms]
NOTE: The B.S. in Environmental Science that is offered by the Department of Geophysical Sciences may be more appropriate for students who intend to pursue postgraduate studies or professional careers in the natural sciences.
Summary of Program
Students who are majoring in Environmental Studies must take thirteen courses according to the following guidelines.
I. Environmental Studies Core Sequence. Students are required to take the two-course core sequence in Environmental Studies (ENST 21201-21301). Courses may be taken in any order. One course provides an overview of fundamental issues in environmental studies while the other stresses contemporary concerns and policy applications. Each course is oriented toward one of the basic thematic tracks. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the sequence in their second year.
II. Thematic Tracks. Students must take four courses in their area of emphasis and two courses in their supporting track for a total of six courses.
A. Environmental Economics and Policy Track: This concentration emphasizes issues such as environmental law, development, globalization, and policy studies. This track has a more applied focus and is inclined more toward present-day issues and strategies in the context of politics, law, and economics.
B. Socio-natural Systems and Frameworks Track: This concentration emphasizes environmental history; landscape studies; human ecology and demography; and environmental ethics, philosophy, and representation. Included in this track are courses on cultural and historical constructions of the natural and the human. This track emphasizes intellectual frameworks as well as the use of substantive information from the social sciences, sciences, and humanities.
III. Quantitative Analysis. One course must be taken to demonstrate competence in quantitative analysis. Students may choose to take either STAT 22000 or an equivalent.
IV. Environmental Sciences. Students must take three courses in environmental sciences. This supporting course work must be chosen from an approved list.
V. B.A. Thesis. Students are required to take one course that emphasizes research design and skills and the writing process. Students are expected to develop significant independent research projects in close consultation with their preceptor and faculty adviser. In consultation with Environmental Studies preceptors, students prepare a topic page that is due eighth week of Spring Quarter in their third year.
At this time, students are also required to secure a faculty adviser. The thesis adviser may be chosen from among the faculty teaching in Environmental Studies and related fields. The preceptor serves as a second reader on all theses. Where appropriate, outside scholars, scientists, or policy experts may be added as additional readers with the approval of the program director.
In Autumn Quarter of their fourth year, students register for B.A. Colloquium I (ENST 29801), which is designed to teach research skills and more generally to aid the research and writing process. The final version of the B.A. thesis is due by the second Friday of the quarter in which the student plans to graduate.
This program may accept a B.A. paper or project used to satisfy the same requirement in another major if certain conditions are met and with the consent of the other program director. Approval from both program directors is required. Students should consult with the directors by the earliest B.A. proposal deadline (or by the end of their third year, when neither program publishes a deadline). A consent form, to be signed by the directors, is available from the College adviser. It must be completed and returned to the College adviser by the end of Autumn Quarter of the student's year of graduation.
VI. Internship or field studies program. In addition to course work, students will be required to participate in an approved internship or field studies program with significant links to their program of study.
Summary of Requirements
| 2 | Environmental Studies core sequence (ENST 21201-21301) |
| 4 | courses in the thematic track of emphasis |
| 2 | courses in the supporting thematic track |
| 1 | STAT 22000 or equivalent |
| 3 | courses in the environmental sciences chosen from an approved list |
| 1 | B.A. Colloquium I (ENST 29801) |
| 13 |
Advising. Students majoring in Environmental Studies must consult with the program adviser and the program director to arrange an approved plan of study.
Grading. Students who are majoring in Environmental Studies must receive quality grades in all thirteen courses taken to meet the requirements of the program. Students may apply a maximum of two course credits for supervised individual reading or research to meet the requirements of the program.
Honors. Eligibility for honors requires an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the courses taken to meet the requirements of the program, and a B.A. thesis that is judged to be superior by the faculty and preceptor readers.
Minor Program in Environmental Studies
Students who are not Environmental Studies majors may complete a minor in Environmental Studies. Such a minor requires that six courses be taken according to the following guidelines: Human Impact on the Environment (ENST 21201), Making the Natural World: Foundations of Human Ecology (ENST 21301), and four courses in one of the two thematic tracks chosen in consultation with the program director.
Students who elect the minor program in Environmental Studies should meet with the program director before the end of Spring Quarter of their third year to declare their intention to complete the minor and select appropriate courses. The approval of the program director for the minor program should be submitted to a student's College adviser by the deadline above on a form obtained from the adviser.
Courses in the minor (1) may not be double counted with the student's major(s) or with other minors and (2) may not be counted toward general education requirements. Courses in the minor must be taken for quality grades, and at least half of the requirements for the minor must be met by registering for courses bearing University of Chicago course numbers.
Summary of Requirements for the minor program
| 1 | ENST 21201 |
| 1 | ENST 21301 |
| 4 | courses in one of the two thematic tracks |
| 6 |
Environmental Studies Program of Study Forms
In order to be considered an Environmental Studies major you must declare with the Department and complete one of the following program & course track (see above) forms. If you have questions, are a new major, please contact Madeleine McLeester at mcleester@uchicago.edu.