ENVS students choose to pursue either a BS in Environmental Science<\/a> with a focus on the natural sciences or a BA in Environmental Studies<\/a> with a focus on the social sciences and humanities. Both majors provide a strong, interdisciplinary background in the environmental and social aspects of our changing world and prepare students for a wide array of job opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two important components of the ENVS majors provide students with the experiences they need to make informed career choices and to contribute effectively to environmental problem-solving. The first is the Applied Experience<\/a> which involves at least 80 hours of environmental or sustainability-related work as an intern, researcher, volunteer, or employee of an organization such as a private company, non-profit organization, university, or government agency. The goal is for students to acquire hands-on experience working in the environmental field to enhance their skill set and explore career options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second key requirement is the Senior Capstone<\/a> which involves development of critical thinking and communication skills in the context of real-world problem solving in the fall of the senior year. That same semester, the senior class also takes a Senior Seminar in which they share their experiences and explore career pathways with guidance from faculty and a Life Design Educator from the JHU Life Design Lab<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To further enhance the students\u2019 perspective on the global nature of environmental issues and the differences in world views of different cultures, students are encouraged to include a study abroad experience<\/a> in their university education. Environmental courses taken abroad can count as electives for the majors and minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Program Educational Objectives<\/strong> P1 Explain the fundamental principles and concepts of the natural, social sciences, and humanities that underlie issues of global environmental change and sustainability. Each major includes common core requirements, additional core courses unique to either environmental science or studies, and a group of electives. Detailed course listings and sample programs of study can be found in the university catalog listing for Environmental Science<\/a> and Environmental Studies<\/a> and are outlined below. This spreadsheet<\/a> can be helpful for tracking major requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Completion of the Environmental Science major typically requires 70-72 credits. Completion of the Environmental Studies major typically requires 58 credits. Both majors share a series of core courses, additional requirements in the natural or social sciences, plus electives in the student’s area(s) of interest. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, except for AS.271.509 Applied Experience which is graded satisfactory\/unsatisfactory. Students must receive a grade of C- or better to apply courses toward the major. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Core courses required by both the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unique to the Environmental Science major are additional requirements in the natural sciences and math, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unique to the Environmental Studies major are additional requirements in the social sciences, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus<\/p>\n\n\n\n All ENVS students are encouraged to choose their elective courses with care in consultation with their advisor to explore particular topics or disciplinary perspectives of relevance to their career aspirations. Courses that can count as ENVS electives are indicated in the schedule of classes by a Program of Study (POS) tag labeled ENVS-MAJOR and include many courses in a wide range of disciplines. For a list of example elective courses, see the Courses <\/a>page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to earn honors in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies, a student must meet additional criteria beyond fulfillment of the major requirements. A full description of the procedures and criteria for earning honors<\/a> in the majors can be downloaded here. In summary, the requirements are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A thesis project completed to earn honors in an ENVS major cannot be double-counted with an honors thesis done in another department or program for a second major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our overall programmatic goals at ENVS have several objectives and students will encounter all of these as they progress through the major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
P2 Integrate learning and perspectives from multiple disciplines to address environmental issues.
P3 Investigate and solve problems through the collection and analysis of data.
P4 Develop practical, systems-oriented solutions to Earth\u2019s most challenging
sustainability problems informed by diverse disciplinary perspectives.
P5 Critique the underlying assumptions, evidence, and arguments made by others.
P6 Communicate effectively about environmental issues visually, orally, and in writing.
P7 Work effectively as a member of a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRequirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Common Core (37-40 credits)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Environmental Science Core (16-22 credits)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Environmental Studies Core (6 credits)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Electives (12-15 credits)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Honors in the Major<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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