Program Overview

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Environmental Studies (BS)

Program at a Glance

The Environmental Studies degree at the University of Central Florida provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues, combining sciences, social behavior, and humanities. This program prepares students for careers in conservation, environmental restoration, and sustainability.

Program Details

• The program is offered as a Bachelor's degree.
• It is part of the College of Community Innovation and Education, specifically within the Interdisciplinary Studies department.
• Tuition fees are $212.28 per credit hour for in-state students and $802.54 per credit hour for out-of-state students.

Program Tracks/Options

• Sciences
• Communication and Planning

Undergraduate Application Deadlines

Freshmen

• Fall: May 1
• Spring: November 1
• Summer: March 1

Transfers

• Fall: June 1
• Spring: November 1
• Summer: March 1

International

• Fall: March 1
• Spring: September 1
• Summer: January 1

Career Opportunities

• Conservationist
• Ecologist
• Environmental restoration planner
• Geographic information systems (GIS) technician
• Geologist
• Natural resource specialist
• Project Manager
• Water resource specialist
• Wildlife Biologist
• Zoologist

Degree Requirements

Environmental Studies Core: Basic Level

• Complete the following:
  • PCB3044 - Principles of Ecology (3 credits)
  • PCB3044L - Principles of Ecology Laboratory (1 credit)
• Total credits: 4

Environmental Studies Core: Advanced Level

• Complete all of the following:
  • EVR3008 - Foundations of Environmental Studies (3 credits)
  • GIS3043C - GIS for Environmental Studies (3 credits)
  • GIS4301C - Advanced GIS Applications in Environmental Studies (4 credits)
  • EVR3085 - Interdisciplinary Research Methods for Environmental Studies (3 credits)
  • EVR3021 - The Science of Sustainability (3 credits)
• Complete at least 2 of the following:
  • ECP3302 - Economics and the Environment (3 credits)
  • PUP3203 - Environmental Politics (3 credits)
  • SYD4510 - Environment and Society (3 credits)
• Complete at least 1 of the following:
  • PHI3640 - Environmental Ethics (3 credits)
  • PHI3033 - Philosophy, Religion, and the Environment (3 credits)
  • PHI4633 - Ethics and Biological Science (3 credits)
  • WST4349 - Ecofeminism (3 credits)
• Total credits: 25

Restricted Electives

• Complete 1 of the following tracks:
  • Communication and Planning Track:
    • Earn at least 18 credits from the specified list of courses, including but not limited to:
      • ANT3541 - Biobehavioral Anthropology (3 credits)
      • ANT4051 - Environmental Anthropology (3 credits)
      • ECP4303 - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (3 credits)
      • ENC3241 - Writing for the Technical Professional (3 credits)
      • ENC4360 - Nature Writing (3 credits)
  • Science Track:
    • Earn at least 18 credits from the specified list of courses, including but not limited to:
      • BCH4053 - Biochemistry I (3 credits)
      • BCH4054 - Biochemistry II (3 credits)
      • BOT3802 - Ethnobotany (3 credits)
      • BOT4713C - Plant Taxonomy (5 credits)
      • BSC4312C - Advanced Marine Biology (4 credits)

High Impact Experience

• Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses:
  • Undergraduate research
  • Internship
  • Study abroad
  • Service-learning
• Total credits: 3

Capstone

• Complete the following in the graduating semester:
  • EVR4940 - Capstone Environmental Studies (3 credits)
• Total credits: 3

Grand Total Credits

• The total credits required for the program are 53, excluding general education and elective courses that may be required for graduation.

Additional Requirements

• Students must earn at least a "C" (2.0) grade in each course required for the major.
• Students wishing to earn an Environmental Studies degree as a double degree, double major, or second degree must complete all advanced level core requirements and restricted electives exclusive of credits done for the other programs.

Language Requirements

• Two years of high school or one year of college language (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.

Minimum Exit Requirements

• A 2.0 UCF GPA
• 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed
• 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF
• A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted
• Complete the General Education Program, the State Writing and Math Requirement, and nine hours of Summer credit

Related Programs and Departments

• Biology (B.S.)
• Chemistry (B.S.)
• Sustainability (B.S./B.A.)
• Political Science (B.A.)
• Economics (B.S.)
• Environmental Science (B.S.)
• Environmental Engineering (B.S.Env.E)

Transfer Notes

• Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
• Courses transferred must be formally evaluated for equivalency credit.

Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required

• 120 credit hours are required for graduation.