Environmental Studies Program - BS Requirements

BS Degree Program

The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies consists of three sets of courses: a core, a pair of problem-oriented courses, and an 11-course specialization.

Courses required for the Bachelor of Science Degree include:

1. Five core courses:
   1. Envi 101 - Environment and Man/Women: An Ecological Perspective
   2. Envi 201 - Environment and Man/Women: Physical Aspects
   3. Chem 107, or 111 - Introductory Chemistry
   4. Econ 160 - Principles of Microeconomics
   5. Envi/Geog 239 - Environmental Planning and Policy or Envi/Phil 149 - Environmental Ethics and Policy
2. Problem-oriented courses. Select two of the following:
   1. Envi 397 - Independent Study
   2. Envi 413 - Environmental Impact Statements
   3. Envi 415 - Environmental Planning
   4. Envi 495 - Internship in Environmental Studies
   5. Envi 498 - Senior Thesis
   6. Envi 499 - Honors Thesis
3. Eleven courses in one of the following science specializations, differing from the BA by adding one second-year chemistry course and 2 additional courses within the primary science discipline:
   1. Ecosystems
   2. Earth Sciences and Natural Resources
   3. Environmental Chemistry

Note that no courses for which a student receives a grade lower than C- will count toward fulfilling major requirements.  Also, no courses for the major may be taken pass-fail, except for Envi 491 and Envi 495 (for which pass-fail is the only option).

Specializations for BS Degree in Environmental Studies

Ecosystems BS:

1. Core courses BIOL 117 and either BIOL 355 or 373
2. Second-year chemistry: CHEM 221 or 231. Note: if you’ve taken CHEM 107 for the general major requirement, be sure to take CHEM 108 before taking either of these courses.
3. Ecology courses: 24 credits drawn from BIOL 118, 351*, 352*, 370, 371, 374 (2 cr), 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 441 (2 cr), 450*, 453*, 455, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 479 (2 cr); GEOG 322, 323; ENVI 325, 326, 327.

   *Only 8 credits of non-lab courses may be taken for this requirement. Non-lab courses are noted as *.

4. Two courses in the social sciences. These include several Environmental Studies courses—ENVI 312, 325, 326, 382 (if social science), 457, 481 (if social science)—as well as relevant social science courses taken from Anthropology (cultural courses), Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, as well as a select number of History and Philosophy courses (see advisor for more information). One course must be 300 level or higher, whereas the other can be at any level.

Earth Sciences - Natural Resources BS:

1. One introductory geology course chosen from GEOL 111, 113, 114, 115, 116 (if not used as a substitute for ENVI 201), ENVI/GEOL 121, or ENVI/GEOL 142
2. Core courses: GEOL 211 (cross-listed as GEOG 222) and either GEOL/ENVI 342 or 370
3. Second-year chemistry: CHEM 221 or 231. Note: if you’ve taken CHEM 107 for the general major requirement, be sure to take CHEM 108 before taking either of these courses.
4. Five courses in environmental geology from among GEOL 205, 206, 212, 344, 411, 413, 414, 416, 423, 436, 453, 465, 470; GEOL/ENVI 342 or 370 if not used in 2 above. Only one of these courses may be below the 300 level.
5. Two courses in the social sciences. These include several Environmental Studies courses—ENVI 312, 325, 326, 382 (if social science), 457, 481 (if social science)—as well as relevant social science courses taken from Anthropology (cultural courses), Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, as well as a select number of History and Philosophy courses (see advisor for more information). One course must be 300 level or higher, whereas the other can be at any level.

Environmental Chemistry BS:

1. Core courses: BIOL 117, CHEM 221, CHEM 231, and either GEOL/ENVI 342 or 370
2. Five courses from CHEM 332, 341, 351, 361, 422, 431, 434; GEOL 416, 465, 470.
3. Two courses in the social sciences. These include several Environmental Studies courses—ENVI 312, 325, 326, 382 (if social science), 457, 481 (if social science)—as well as relevant social science courses taken from Anthropology (cultural courses), Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, as well as a select number of History and Philosophy courses (see advisor for more information). One course must be 300 level or higher, whereas the other can be at any level.

Director of Environmental Studies Program: Peter L.K. Knuepfer Peter.Knuepfer@binghamton.edu
Webmaster: Anne Hull