Requirements for the Environmental Science Major (44 semester hours)

Environmental Science, Bachelor of Arts degree

32 semester hours in Environmental Science, 4 semester hours in flexible electives, and 8 semester hours in Arts and Humanities, World Engagement, or selected graduate coursework

Core (16 semester hours)

  • ENVS 120 Social Systems and the Environment (4)
  • ENVS 121 Earth Systems Science and the Environment (4)
  • ENVS 250 Geographic Information Systems (4)
  • ENVS 495W Senior Capstone Course in Environmental Science (4)

Upper Level Electives (20 semester hours)

Four (4) semester hours from each of the five categories below. Three to four of these classes should fall within an intentional emphasis area designed by student & advisor (see examples provided at the end of the Major Requirements section).

Social Science-Critical Inquiry (4 semester hours)
  • ENVS 304W Politics of Environmental Ethics (4)
  • ENVS 321 Environmental Policymaking: Politics and Process (4)
  • ENVS 327W Water Resources in the Western US (4)
  • ENVS 328 Health and the Global Environment (4)
  • ENVS 334 Political Ecology (4)
Social Science-Research Intensive (4 semester hours)
  • ENVS 360 Research in Environmental Health Geography (4)
  • ENVS 365 Research in Climate Change Impacts on Society (4)
  • ENVS 380W Research in Forest Management and Policy (4)
Natural Science-Critical Inquiry (4 semester hours)
Natural Science-Research Intensive (4 semester hours)
Additional Elective (4 semester hours)
  • Any additional course from the above Critical Inquiry/Research Intensive courses
  • Any ENVS Department approved study abroad credit
  • Any of the following courses from other departments:
Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree
  • Completion of an additional eight semester hours of courses with either an A&H or WE designation beyond a student's general education requirements. Non-English language credits must be from 200-level courses or above. Listed major elective courses may not satisfy this requirement; or
  • Completion of the equivalent of eight semester hours of courses from the Atkinson Graduate School of Management, College of Law, or Claremont School of Theology.

Environmental Science, Bachelor of Science degree

32 semester hours in Environmental Science, 4 semester hours in flexible electives, and 8 semester hours in BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, CS, or MATH

Core (16 semester hours)

  • ENVS 120 Social Systems and the Environment (4)
  • ENVS 121 Earth Systems Science and the Environment (4)
  • ENVS 250 Geographic Information Systems (4)
  • ENVS 495W Senior Capstone Course in Environmental Science (4)

Upper Level Electives (20 semester hours)

Four (4) semester hours from each of the five categories below. Three to four of these classes should fall within an intentional emphasis area designed by student & advisor (see examples provided at the end of the Major Requirements section).

Social Science-Critical Inquiry (4 semester hours)
  • ENVS 304W Politics of Environmental Ethics (4)
  • ENVS 321 Environmental Policymaking: Politics and Process (4)
  • ENVS 327W Water Resources in the Western US (4)
  • ENVS 328 Health and the Global Environment (4)
  • ENVS 334 Political Ecology (4)
Social Science-Research Intensive (4 semester hours)
  • ENVS 360 Research in Environmental Health Geography (4)
  • ENVS 365 Research in Climate Change Impacts on Society (4)
  • ENVS 380W Research in Forest Management and Policy (4)
Natural Science-Critical Inquiry (4 semester hours)
Natural Science-Research Intensive (4 semester hours)
Additional Elective (4 semester hours)
  • Any additional course from the above Critical Inquiry/Research Intensive courses
  • Any ENVS Department approved study abroad credit
  • Any of the following courses from other departments:
Additional Requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree
  • Any eight semester hours from BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, CS, or MATH. The eight semester hours must be from the same department prefix. Listed major elective courses may not satisfy the requirement.

Examples of Emphasis Areas

CLIMATE
  • Water Resources in the Western US
  • Health & the Global Environment
  • Environmental Policymaking: Politics and Process
  • Research in Climate Change Impacts on Society
  • Earth's Climate
  • Biogeography
  • Principles of Hydrology
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE
  • Earth's Climate
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Principles of Hydrology
  • Research in Urban Geochemistry
  • Research in Geoarchaeology
  • Research in Spatial Science
  • Research in the Anthropocene
  • Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 230)
NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
  • Water Resources in the Western US
  • Political Ecology
  • Environmental Policymaking: Politics and Process
  • Research in Forest Management and Policy
  • Biogeography
  • Principles of Hydrology
  • Research in Dendrochronology
  • Research in Spatial Science
  • General Ecology (BIOL 255)
  • Environmental Economics (ECON 445)
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
  • Research in Urban Geochemistry
  • Health & the Global Environment
  • Politics of Environmental Ethics
  • Environmental Policymaking: Politics and Process
  • Political Ecology
  • Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 230)
  • Medical Anthropology (ANTH 344)
  • Epidemiology (EXHS 221)
NATURE, SOCIETY & SUSTAINABILITY
  • Politics of Environmental Ethics
  • Research in Forest Management and Policy
  • Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights, and the Environment (ANTH 351)
  • Western Civilization and Sustainability (HIST 315)
  • Asian Environmental History (HIST 331)

Requirements for the Environmental Science Minor (20 semester hours)

  • ENVS 120 Social Systems and the Environment (4)
  • ENVS 121 Earth Systems Science and the Environment (4)
  • 1 Critical Inquiry, Social Science or Natural Science cours (4)
  • 1 Research Intensive, Social Science or Natural Science course (4)
  • 1 Additional Upper Level Elective (4)
Willamette University

Environmental Science

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6013

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