Program Overview

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Environmental Studies, B.A.

Environmental Studies, B.A. (Madrid)

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies program at Saint Louis University focuses on relationships between the natural environment and social, economic, political, legal, and humanistic aspects of society. As global population and consumption rise, understanding the interplay between environmental and social systems has become an increasingly important component of decision-making and planning.

Curriculum Overview

The environmental studies curriculum at Saint Louis University is built upon a breadth-plus-depth model. All students in environmental studies are required to complete a core set of preparatory science and skill-development courses that provide a broad introduction to the environmental sciences. Students then choose a specialized concentration that provides more advanced instruction in their areas of interest to help prepare them for careers after graduation.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Weekend field trips, canoe trips, and social events are scheduled throughout the year. One perk associated with this major is the opportunity to join other faculty and students on annual, weeklong field trips across the country. Visit environmentally important sites and get to know the faculty, other students, and alumni who join the trips.

Undergraduate students in the environmental studies program can pursue internship opportunities through the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geospatial Science or in collaboration with other departments on campus. Students also have the option to participate in a capstone project designed to provide a real-world perspective as part of their undergraduate training.

Careers

The environmental studies program prepares students for careers in business, law, government, or wherever knowledge of scientific and social perspectives on the environment is important. Students also have the opportunity to prepare for more advanced degrees in a wide range of fields, including law, economics, and public policy.

Admission Requirements

• All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
• To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score, or take the General Education Development (GED) test.

Transfer

• Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.
• Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

International Applicants

• All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Tuition

• Undergraduate Tuition: $56,960
• Additional charges may apply.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership, and financial need.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Program Requirements

• Students in the bachelor's environmental studies program must complete a minimum total of 58 credits for the major.
• Course List:
  • University Undergraduate Core: 32-35
  • Major Requirements:
    • Physical Sciences:
      • EAS 1430 & EAS 1435: Introduction to the Solid Earth and Introduction to the Solid Earth Lab (4)
      • EAS 1030: Earth's Dynamic Environment II (3)
      • Chemistry Elective: 3-4
    • Life Sciences: 6-8
      • Select two of the following:
        • BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245: General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
        • BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265: General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
        • BIOL 1200: Ecological Issues and Society
        • BIOL 1340: Diversity of Life
    • Integrated Science Course:
      • EAS 3100: Environmental Issues (3)
    • Mathematical/Statistics Requirement: 3-4
      • Select one of the following:
        • MATH 1200: College Algebra
        • MATH 1400: Pre-Calculus
        • MATH 1510: Calculus I
    • Mathematical/Statistics Elective: 3-4
      • Select one of the following:
        • OPM 2070: Introduction to Business Statistics
        • MATH 1510: Calculus I
        • MATH 1520: Calculus II
        • PSY 2050: Foundations of Research Methods and Statistics
        • STAT 1300: Elementary Statistics with Computers
    • Skill Development:
      • CMM 1200: Public Speaking (3)
      • GIS 4010: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
    • Senior Experience:
      • EAS 4910: Internship (3)
    • Environmental Studies Concentration: 24-27
      • First Tier Courses:
        • Students must choose one course from each of the concentrations' First Tier courses
      • Second Tier Courses:
        • Students choose 9-12 credits from the Second Tier courses from their primary concentration. Additionally, any First Tier course in concentrations other than the primary concentration can be used to satisfy this requirement.

Concentrations

• Advocacy and Discourse
  • First Tier Courses:
    • CMM 2100: Journalism: News Writing (3)
    • CMM 3060: Political Communication (3)
  • Second Tier Courses:
    • CMM 3200: Organizational Communication (3)
    • CMM 3060: Political Communication (3)
    • CMM 3600: Public Relations Principles and Practices (3)
    • CMM 4430: Culture, Technology and Communication (3)
    • ENGL 3885: Writing Personal Narratives (3)
    • ENGL 3590: Nature and Literature (3)
    • PHIL 3450: Disaster Narratives (3)
• Economics, Politics and Public Policy
  • First Tier Courses:
    • ECON 1900: Principles of Economics 1 (3)
    • POLS 1100: Introduction to American Government (3)
  • Second Tier Courses:
    • CMM 3060: Political Communication (3)
    • ECON 3140: Intermediate Microeconomics (3)
    • POLS 2600: Introduction to International Political Economy (3)
    • POLS 3600: Problems of Globalization (3)
    • POLS 3640: International Law (3)
    • POLS 4730: Seminar: Contemporary Political Ideologies (3)
• Natural Sciences
  • First Tier Courses:
    • EAS 1600: Sustainable Energy (3)
    • BIOL 1200: Ecological Issues and Society (3)
    • BIOL 1340: Diversity of Life (3)
    • BIOL 3450: Economic Botany (3)
  • Second Tier Courses:
    • Any upper-division BIOL, CHEM, or EAS course.
• Philosophy, Religion and Ethics
  • First Tier Courses:
    • PHIL 3420: Environmental and Ecological Ethics (3)
    • THEO 2820: Religion and Science 1 (3)
    • THEO 3510: Faith and Politics (3)
    • THEO 3525: Green Discipleship: Theology & Ecology (3)
  • Second Tier Courses:
    • ANTH 2210: Biological Anthropology (3)
    • PHIL 4150: Philosophy of Science (3)
    • ANTH 2200: Cultural Anthropology (3)
    • THEO 3510: Faith and Politics (3)
    • THEO 4930: Special Topics (3)
• Society and the Environment through Space and Time
  • First Tier Courses:
    • SOC 1180: World Geography 1 (3)
    • ANTH 2200: Cultural Anthropology (3)
    • ANTH 3270: Climate Change & Environmental Futures (3)
    • HIST 3660: History of Nature in America (3)
  • Second Tier Courses:
    • ANTH 2210: Biological Anthropology (3)
    • POLS 3330: Metropolitan Environment (3)
    • POLS 3600: Problems of Globalization (3)
    • POLS 3640: International Law (3)
    • POLS 4730: Seminar: Contemporary Political Ideologies (3)
    • SOC 4640: Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy (3)

Roadmap

• Year One:
  • Fall:
    • EAS 1430 & EAS 1435: Introduction to the Solid Earth and Introduction to the Solid Earth Lab (4)
    • Math Course: College algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus (3)
    • CORE 1500: Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (1)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (4)
  • Spring:
    • EAS 1030: Earth's Dynamic Environment II (3)
    • Biology Course (3)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (6)
• Year Two:
  • Fall:
    • Chemistry course (3)
    • Math course: A statistics class or Calculus (3)
    • Courses in chosen Concentration (6)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (6)
  • Spring:
    • Biology course (3)
    • CMM 1200 or EAS 2450: Public Speaking or Communicating in Science (3)
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (6)
• Year Three:
  • Fall:
    • EAS 3100: Environmental Issues (3)
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (9)
  • Spring:
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (9)
• Year Four:
  • Fall:
    • GIS 4010: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (6)
  • Spring:
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • Course in chosen Concentration (3)
    • University Core and/or General Electives (9)

SLU-Madrid

• The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies program at SLU-Madrid focuses on relationships between the natural environment and social, economic, political, legal, and humanistic aspects of society.
• The environmental studies curriculum at Saint Louis University is built upon a breadth-plus-depth model.
• SLU-Madrid's environmental studies program prepares students for international careers in business, government, or careers where knowledge of scientific and social perspectives on the environment is important.

Faculty

• The faculty at Saint Louis University-Madrid are experts in their respective fields. They are internationally recognized teachers, researchers, and mentors.

Fieldwork, Internships, and Careers

• SLU-Madrid's environmental science faculty organize one-day and weekend field trips where students can visit research institutes, natural parks, and natural reserves and carry out fieldwork in environmentally important sites in the Madrid region and around Spain.
• SLU-Madrid's environmental studies program prepares students for international careers in business, government, or careers where knowledge of scientific and social perspectives on the environment is important.