Environmental Studies (BA)

Director: Erin Robinson, PhD

Introduction

Environmental problems are more visible in our society than ever before. In order to address these issues, there is an ever present need to develop an understanding of the social and natural systems that foster the creation and resolution of environmental issues. Cultural, economic, and social systems provide the structure within which environmental problems are created and solved.

The Environmental Studies BA focuses on interdisciplinary connections between environmental and social systems. The program engages students to think critically about environmental issues and offers active learning experiences for students to apply their knowledge. Combining environmental science with social sciences, business and economics, and the humanities ensures an integrated perspective on environmental issues which lays a foundation for a wide range of careers. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to combine ways of knowing which fully address the multiple facets and complex systems of environmental issues. Students take a series of required courses for the major and then select a specialization option to further focus their knowledge.

Major Tracks

Environmental Studies majors can select a specialization track made up of five courses. Specialization Tracks include Environmental Justice, Environmental Conservation and Administration, Sustainable Economics, Environmental Literacy and Public Health. Students can specialize in one area, or select a combination of electives from different tracks that best meet their interests. Each student will select four electives and an internship.

All Environmental Studies majors will complete an internship (EVST 498). Internship opportunities will range from local and regional opportunities to international opportunities through partnerships with well-established environmental organizations.

Qualifications

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major, earn a C or higher in all required courses in the major, and earn a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies.

Advisement

All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one.  Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

Students should consult with Dr. Erin Robinson, Director of Environmental Studies, for current advisement information. Students are advised to be familiar with their Griff Audit.  

Double Majors

Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement.  In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean. 

Per university policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major.  Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless completing the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.

Minors in Other Disciplines

Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major.  Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.

Curriculum

An Ignatian Foundation

All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.

Free Electives

Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).

Major Requirements

Major Electives

A student's electives must be 4 courses from any of the designated major tracks.

Environmental Justice Track

Focuses student attention on social and environmental justice through the use of critical thinking of structural problems and how these issues are applied to environmental problems and human society.

Environmental Conservation and Administration

Focuses student attention on the movements for conservation practices and the legal, historical, and organization implications for the welfare of the environment.

Sustainable Economics

Focuses student attention on the development of sustainable business practices from a systems approach. Enables students to develop an understanding of the nature of green economic practices.

Environmental Literacy and Public Health

Focuses student attention on the role of information literacy in environmental issues. Allows for critical perspective and analysis of the role of science, risk, and communication in society today.

Roadmap

Recommended Sequence for Major Courses

Learning Goals and Objectives

Student Learning Goal 1

Environmental Studies Majors will Demonstrate knowledge of complex environmental systems and environmental issues in scientific, cultural, and social realms

Students will: 

Student Learning Goal 2

Environmental Studies Majors will Demonstrate scientific literacy of environmental issues

Students will: 

Student Learning Goal 3

Environmental Studies Students will Demonstrate readiness to enter post graduate career and educational opportunities

Students will: 

Combined Degree Programs

• 3+3 Environmental Studies BA/JD (University at Buffalo)

Courses