Program Overview

Economics/Environmental Studies, BA

Introduction

Economics deals with how people living in a world of scarcity make choices. These choices inevitably involve costs. Questions examined in environmental economics include efficient resource use, preservation of wilderness and biological diversity, local and regional air pollution, global climate change, and treatment of toxic substances. Students learn how to use economic principles to help understand the causes of environmental problems and to identify potential remedies.

Environmental Studies draws on basic knowledge of how natural systems work and is applied to solving problems largely created by human activities. Often these problems are represented by disturbances in the functioning of natural systems. In addition to the study of the natural environment, a study of laws and policy related to the environment provides a foundation for solving environmental problems.

Why Consider an Economics/Environmental Studies Major?

A combined major in Economics/Environmental Studies is available to students having a strong interest in the economic aspects of environmental studies and natural resources. The degree awarded is a B.A. in Economics.

Student Resources

• Department website: Economics; Environmental Studies
• Department advising: See the Economics/Environmental Studies section of the Economics website
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • Environmental Consulting
  • Economics/Environmental Researcher
  • Environmental Advocacy for Non-profits
  • Environmental Affairs-Business
  • Environmental Protection-Government

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

Students planning to major in Economics/Environmental Studies should declare their major as early as possible, preferably their first year at Western in both the College of Business and Economics (CBE), and College of the Environment (CENV).

• Admissions: Programs in CBE and CENV are based upon prior academic performance and other evidence of high promise. A student must complete the following requirements for admission to the Economics/Environmental Studies major:
  • Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
  • Achieved a 2.5 cumulative college GPA (including transfer work)
• The Economics/Environmental Studies major is a degree shared between the CBE and CENV. For students to gain access to the environmental studies’ major coursework, students need to complete ENVS 203 and MATH 114 or MATH 156.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (98-105 credits)

Economics/Environmental Studies Foundations (22-23 credits)

• ENVS 203 - Physical Geography (Credits: 4)
• ENVS 303 - Introduction to Environmental Studies I: Human Ecology and Ethics (Credits: 5)
• ENVS 305 - Introduction to Environmental Studies II: History and Policy (Credits: 5)
• One course from:
  • ESCI 204 - The Oceans: Topics in Marine Science (Credits: 4)
  • ESCI 225 - Beginning Ecology (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • MATH 114 - Precalculus I (Credits: 5)
  • MATH 156 - Algebra With Applications to Business and Economics (Credits: 4)

Economics/Environmental Studies Depth and Specialization (76-82 credits)

• ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics (Credits: 4)
• ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics (Credits: 4)
• ECON 303 - The History of Economic Thought (Credits: 4)
• ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics (Credits: 4)
• ECON 307 - Intermediate Macroeconomics (Credits: 4)
• ECON 383 - Environmental Economics (Credits: 4)
• ECON 384 - Energy Economics (Credits: 4)
• ECON 483 - Resource Economics (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • ECON 375 - Introduction to Econometrics (Credits: 4)
  • ECON 482 - Advanced Topics in Environmental Economics (Credits: 4)
  • ECON 484 - Clean Energy Economics (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • ENVS 342 - Geography of the World Economy (Credits: 4)
  • UEPP 355 - Environmental Law and Policy (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • ENVS 450 - Science in the Policy Process (Credits: 4)
  • ENVS 451 - Public Land Conflict & Collaboration (Credits: 4)
  • ENVS 453 - Climate Politics and Governance (Credits: 4)
  • ENVS 456 - Governing Innovation, Technology, and the Future (Credits: 5)
  • ENVS 458 - Environmental Politics (Credits: 5)
  • PLSC 420 - Environmental Politics (Credits: 5)
• One course from:
  • ENVS 326 - Climatology (Credits: 4)
  • ENVS 392 - Introduction to Climate Change (Credits: 4)
  • ESCI 392 - Introduction to Climate Change (Credits: 4)
  • ESCI 393 - Our Coastal Seas and Climate Change (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • DSCI 205 - Business Statistics (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics (Credits: 4)
  • MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference (Credits: 4)
• One course from:
  • ENVS 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment (Credits: 5)
  • ESCI 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment (Credits: 5)
  • UEPP 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment (Credits: 5)
• One course from:
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (Credits: 5)
  • MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors (Credits: 5)
  • MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus (Credits: 5)
  • MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (Credits: 4)
• Electives under advisement (15-18 credits)
  • ECON 300- and 400-level
  • ENVS 300- and 400-level

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement