Program Overview

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Environmental Studies

Overview

Be the change you want to see in the world. This course of study looks at the environment from the critical perspectives of policy and social science. Environmental Studies sheds light on the human dimensions of environmental issues. The interdisciplinary nature of this Bachelor of Arts makes the study of geography critical to understanding key factors affecting the environment in today's world. Distinguished faculty members teach courses about water, land use, food, energy, the built environment and climate related to both urban and rural areas. Students explore techniques for addressing pressing social science issues, but they study physical science techniques as well. The University of Arizona awards more undergraduate degrees in geography than almost any other school in the country, and the School of Geography and Development is ranked as one of the top geography departments.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and critically analyze environmental issues using natural and social science frameworks
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to diverse publics / audiences / stakeholders
• Identify and analyze interconnections between environmental and social processes
• Demonstrate ability to design and conduct research using appropriate methods
• Comprehend spatial dimensions and roots of social and environmental inequalities
• Exhibit an understanding of the processes of social & environmental change (affecting change through policy and / or social movements)

Program Details

Sample Courses

• GEOG 230: Our Changing Climate
• GEOG 256: Sustainable Cities
• AREC 473: Energy Markets and Environmental Economics

Career Fields

• Policy analysis
• Law
• Sustainability
• Conservation
• Education

Level of Math

• General Knowledge

This strand involves the general understanding and appreciation of how mathematics is used to solve problems in everyday life. The G-strand does not prepare a student for any further work grounded in mathematics and assumes the student will not proceed beyond the basic Foundations level noted above. Thus only those students whose major requires the most general knowledge of mathematics should take this strand.

Level of Second Language

• 4th Semester Proficiency

Fourth-semester skill level in a second language is required. B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options:

• Scoring the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona.
• Completion of a two-course sequence beyond the second semester of post-secondary language instruction.
• Completion with a C or higher of a 300- or 400-level language course at the post-secondary level.
• Completion of one course beyond the third semester in combination with an AP (Advanced Placement) score, IB (International Baccalaureate) score or a CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) score determined by the individual language department.
• An AP, IB, or CLEP language score determined by individual language departments
• A minimum of one semester study abroad in a language program approved by the appropriate language department as the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level.

Pre-major Required?

• No

This Major's College

• College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Degree

• Bachelor of Arts

Sample Plans

2025, Environmental Studies

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

1st Semester

• ENGL 101 First-Year Composition (3 credits)
• Math General Strand (3 credits)
• EVS 260 Ideas and Institutions (3 credits)
• Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1 credit)
• Second Language (4 credits)

2nd Semester

• ENGL 102 First-Year Composition (3 credits)
• EVS Intro to Environmental Social Science (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• Second Language (4 credits)

Second Year

3rd Semester

• EVS Environmental Science I (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• Second Language (4 credits)

4th Semester

• EVS Environmental Science II (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1 credit)
• Second Language (4 credits)

Third Year

5th Semester

• EVS Environmental Social Science and Policy (3 credits)
• EVS Environmental Social Science and Policy (3 credits)
• EVS Methods (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)

6th Semester

• EVS Environmental Social Science and Policy (3 credits)
• EVS Environmental Social Science and Policy (3 credits)
• EVS Methods (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)

Fourth Year

7th Semester

• EVS Engagement (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

8th Semester

• EVS 498: Senior Capstone (3 credits)
• Minor (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)