Environmental Studies takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to understanding human-environment systems and environmental challenges. The Environmental Studies major includes core classes in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to prepare our students to integrate knowledge from multiple fields of study. Our students learn to analyze and interpret complex environmental data and communicate environmental information for diverse stakeholders. The Environmental Studies major equips students to succeed as environmental professionals through experiential learning and advanced coursework in each student's choice of an emphasis.
Why Consider an Environmental Studies Major with a Geography Emphasis?
Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the Earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the natural environment. Natural and human systems vary over space and many environmental issues are therefore inherently spatial. Environmental Geography links together the social sciences and natural sciences, studying the relationships between human activity and natural systems. We draw on knowledge from many different fields of study to give us the big picture view of how and why cultural and natural landscapes vary over space. We make extensive use of maps, complex spatial datasets, and technology to aid our understanding of the world.
As an environmental geographer, you can make a difference working in the fields of geospatial analysis, teaching, planning, natural resource management, conservation and restoration, and more. Graduates with this emphasis have assumed positions in State and National Parks, the Forest Service, college and universities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. If you are interested in teaching Geography in public schools, see the Geography/Social Studies, BA or B.A.Ed. Geography/Elementary Education information sheet.
Do you wonder about how human and natural environments vary across the world? Are you curious about how the interactions and interdependencies between human and natural systems? Do you love maps? Are you comfortable with spatial problem solving? If so, then Environmental Studies with a Geography Emphasis is the major for you! Come join us as we work together to understand our world!