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Environmental Studies
One Person Really Can Make a Difference. Will It Be You ?
Environmental Studies is a growing, diverse and challenging field. Society needs professionals who understand how natural systems work and who know how to solve environmental problems and shape a sustainable future.
Shenandoah University's environmental studies major combines breadth with depth. Courses provide an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental concepts, issues and research skills. Electives, internships and optional specializations enable students to develop selected competencies in greater depth as preparation for graduate study and/or a professional career.
The requirements for the major appear below. For more information about the department, courses, student research, careers and community outreach projects, click the departmental link to the right.
Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ES 101 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 hours |
| ES 290 | Environmental Issues Seminar | 2 hours |
| ES 319 | Environmental Policy and Programs | 3 hours |
| ES 390 | Environmental Research Seminar | 2 hours |
| ES 419 | Community and Regional Studies | 4 hours |
| BIO 121 | General Biology I | 4 hours |
| BIO 122 | General Biology II | 4 hours |
| BIO 321 | Ecology | 4 hours |
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 4 hours |
| GEOL 201 | Geology | 4 hours |
| One skill-oriented course selected from the list below: | ||
| ES 340 | Environmental Education | 4 hours |
| ES 395 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 hours |
| ES 421 | Environmental Measurement Methods | 4 hours |
| One geography-oriented course selected from the list below: | ||
| GEO 201 | Economic Geography | 3 hours |
| GEO 301 | Human Geography | 3 hours |
| HIST 340 | Documenting Historical and Cultural Resources | 3 hours |
| Two content-oriented courses selected from the list below: | ||
| PCSI 201 | American Government | 3 hours |
| PSCI 202 | State and Local Government | 3 hours |
| BIO 344 | Plant Morphology | 4 hours |
| BIO 351 | Vertebrate Zoology | 4 hours |
| BIO 325 | Animal Behavior | 4 hours |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 4 hours |
| CHEM 211 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 hours |
| Or another approved course at the 200-level or above | ||
| Total | 47-50 hours | |
| Collateral Recommendations | ||
| MATH 207 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 hours |
| MCOM 150 | Public Speaking | 3 hours |
| ISCT 106 | Personal Computer Applications | 3 hours |
Optional Specialized Fields
Many of the electives listed above can be combined with other courses to develop a specialty within the broad profession of environmental studies. While optional, 15-20 credit-hours are highly recommended. All specialized fields require an internship. See the department chair and the departmental webpage for recommended courses.
Specialized fields:
- Environmental Analysis
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Policy
- Field Biology
- International Environmental Studies
- A self-designed specialty
Environmental Studies Minor
| Course | Title | Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ES 101 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 hours |
| ES 105 | Field Natural History | 4 hours |
| or | ||
| BIO 321 | Ecology | 4 hours |
| ES 319 | Environmental Policy and Programs | 3 hours |
| or | ||
| ES 419 | Community and Regional Studies | 4 hours |
| Electives chosen from the required courses and electives listed above for the environmental studies degree | 7-8 hours | |
| Total | 18 hours |