Environmental Studies

The interdisciplinary major in Environmental Studies offers the students two degree options.

The 11 Course Bachelor of Arts degree requires that the student successfully complete:

3 Interdisciplinary Overviews (ENV 201: Environmental Science, ENV 202: Environmental Social Sciences, ENV 203: Environmental Humanities) by the end of the junior year,

4 Depth Courses including 1 methodology course,

2 Breadth Component Courses, and

2 Capstone Courses (ENV 498: Environmental Studies Capstone I, ENV 499: Environmental Studies Capstone II).

The 13 Course Bachelor of Science degree requires that the student successfully complete:

The 11 courses required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with an Environmental Science depth track,

The capstone project for ENV 498 in Environmental Science, and

2 additional science or mathematics courses such that the student has at least 4 lab science courses (which may include ENV 201).

Both degree options require students to complete a capstone project that is significant, situated, and original in its application.  This project is integrated within ENV 498: Environmental Studies Capstone I, and it is based upon the depth (including methodology) courses completed prior to enrolling in ENV 498.  Capstone project proposals are due in April of the junior year, although some summer research funding proposals are due as early as January.

Honors in Environmental Studies

Honors in ENV is awarded to students who meet all of these criteria:

• have a 3.2 GPA overall by the time of graduation,
• have a 3.5 GPA in the major by the time of graduation,
• have done exceptional work in ENV 498 and 499, and
• have successfully defended their major paper or project in an oral defense.

(3) Interdisciplinary Overviews:

ENV 201: Environmental Science, ENV 202: Environmental Social Sciences, and ENV 203: Environmental Humanities.  These three courses may be taken in any sequence, but two must be completed by the end of the sophomore year and the third must be completed by the end of the junior year.  ENV 201, 202, and 203 are prerequisites for more advanced courses that fulfill major requirements, including ENV 498: Environmental Studies Capstone I. 

• ENV 201 - Environmental Science
• ENV 202 - Environmental Social Sciences
• ENV 203 - Environmental Humanities

(4) Depth Component Courses

Three content courses plus a related methodology course.  Students may choose from one of three tracks (Environmental Natural Science, Environmental Social Science, Environmental Humanities) or may self-design a Depth Component, subject to the approval of the Environmental Studies faculty.  At least three courses in the Depth Component must be at the 200 level or above; at least two courses in the Depth Component must be from the same department.

(2) Breadth Component Courses

The Breadth Component is determined in conjunction with the Depth Component. If a student chooses one of the established tracks for the Depth Component, the Breadth Component will consist of one course from each of the other two tracks. Students who self-design the Depth Component will also propose a corresponding Breadth Component, again subject to the approval of the Environmental Studies faculty.

(2) Capstone courses

• ENV 498 - Environmental Studies Capstone I
• ENV 499 - Environmental Studies Capstone II

Environmental Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

In recent decades, issues related to the environment have emerged as key concerns at local, national, and international levels.  The Environmental Studies Interdisciplinary Minor is designed to give students a broad exposure to a range of environmental issues and to provide multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the complexity of factors that affect the environment and our understanding of it.

Notes

a. Students may not choose both the ENV major and the ENV interdisciplinary minor.

b. No more than two courses at the 100 level may count for the major, including not more than one course at the 100 level in the Depth Component.

c.  A maximum of two courses may count toward both the ENV major and a second major, minor, or interdisciplinary minor.

d. No more than two courses taken away from Davidson may count toward the major. Once the Registrar has granted transfer credit, students may petition the Environmental Studies faculty to approve transfer courses for the major.

 e. Students may petition the Environmental Studies faculty to approve independent studies for the major. A maximum of two independent studies may count toward the major.

f. ENV 201, 202, 203, 498, and 499 must be taken at Davidson; exceptions must be approved by the Environmental Studies faculty.

g. Careful course planning is important for all Environmental Studies majors, particularly for students who plan to study abroad and those who plan to do graduate work in an environmental field.

h. For students pursuing the B.S. degree: (a) the additional laboratory course, beyond those required for the depth component, does not have to be environmental in content and (b) if a student also chooses a minor in a science or mathematics department, those courses could count as the additional course.