Environmental Studies
Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program
Environmental Studies deals with the relationship and interactions between humans and the environment. Students in any college at ISU may elect to take a secondary major or minor in Environmental Studies. The curriculum is designed to give students an understanding of current and emerging environmental issues and an appreciation of different perspectives regarding these issues. Courses are provided for students pursuing careers related to the environment and for others who simply want to know more about environmental issues.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad understanding and appreciation for a range of environmental issues spanning natural and human systems.
- Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of different perspectives regarding environmental issues.
- Demonstrate an understanding of approaches used in addressing environmental problems including data analysis and problem-solving.
Secondary Major
The Environmental Studies secondary major is taken in addition to a primary major and provides the breadth of preparation and integrated perspective necessary to understand environmental issues. Students seeking a major in Environmental Studies complete 24 credits of ENVS coursework including:
| At least one general survey course chosen from: | ||
| Environmental Geology: Earth in Crisis | ||
| Introduction to Renewable Resources | ||
| Environmental Biology | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Issues | ||
| At least one integrative/issues course chosen from: | ||
| Water Resources of the World | ||
| Biodiversity | ||
| Energy and the Environment | ||
| World Food Issues: Past and Present | ||
| Global Change | ||
| Sustainable and Environmental Horticulture Systems | ||
| Issues in Sustainable Agriculture | ||
| At least two human/societal perspectives courses chosen from: | ||
| Foundations in Natural Resource Policy and History | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Politics and Policies | ||
| Environmental Planning | ||
| Ecofeminism | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Population and Society | ||
| Literature and the Environment | ||
| U. S. Environmental History | ||
| Energy, Environmental and Resource Economics | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Sustainable Communities | ||
| Environmental Law and Planning | ||
Beyond these three requirements, any Environmental Studies course and up to six credits of approved environmental coursework outside of Environmental Studies may be applied toward the 24-credit total for the major. Regardless of their home college, Environmental Studies majors must complete at least 9 credits in natural sciences from the LAS General Education approved course list. Unless prohibited by program or college rules, courses used to fulfill requirements of the Environmental Studies major may also be used to satisfy general education and other requirements of departments and colleges. A combined average grade of C or higher is required in courses applied to the major.
Minor
Students seeking a minor in Environmental Studies complete 15 credits of approved Environmental Studies coursework including:
| At least one general survey course chosen from: | ||
| Environmental Geology: Earth in Crisis | ||
| Introduction to Renewable Resources | ||
| Environmental Biology | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Issues | ||
| At least one integrative/issues course chosen from: | ||
| Water Resources of the World | ||
| Biodiversity | ||
| Energy and the Environment | ||
| World Food Issues: Past and Present | ||
| Global Change | ||
| Sustainable and Environmental Horticulture Systems | ||
| Issues in Sustainable Agriculture | ||
| At least two human/societal perspectives courses chosen from: | ||
| Foundations in Natural Resource Policy and History | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Politics and Policies | ||
| Environmental Planning | ||
| Ecofeminism | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Population and Society | ||
| Literature and the Environment | ||
| U. S. Environmental History | ||
| Energy, Environmental and Resource Economics | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Sustainable Communities | ||
| Environmental Law and Planning | ||
A combined average grade of C or higher is required in courses applied to the minor, and the minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.