Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies in Environmental Studies
Why study environmental studies?
The Environmental Studies Program at the University of Kansas, established in 1971, is one of the oldest environmental studies programs in the country. The KU Environmental Studies Program provides a rigorous interdisciplinary degree that balances learning in the physical and social sciences along with the arts and humanities. Learning Pathways, thematic areas of study that match student interest to the environmental expertise of our faculty, are a key aspect of our unique program.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.
Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | ||
MATH 107 Introduction to Statistics is the designated "math pathway"course. This course will fulfill your Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree Requirements | 16-21 | |
| Students will follow the BA or BGS degree specific requirements based on their degree selection. BA students will demonstrate proficiency in a Non-English Language, complete a Quantitative Literacy course, a Laboratory or Field Experience, and two semesters of Writing. BGS students will complete a minor, two certificates, or a second major and a Career Preparation Course. Please see the College's undergraduate tab for more detailed information on these requirements. | ||
1 credit hour of a Laboratory of Field Experience, 6 credit hours of Writing, and 3 credit hours of Quantitative Literacy are required for all BA students. These requirements will be met through the completion of the KU Core 34. | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| EVRN 140 | Global Environment I: The Discovery of Environmental Change | 3 |
| or EVRN 144 | Global Environment I: Discovery of Environmental Change, Honors | |
| EVRN 142 | Global Environment II: The Ecology of Human Civilization | 3 |
| or EVRN 145 | Global Environment II: The Ecology of Human Civilization, Honors | |
| EVRN 160 | Environmental Solutions | 1 |
| EVRN 336 | Ethics, Ideas and Nature (Environmental Social Science and Policy) | 3 |
| Environmental Social Science and Policy Satisfied by one of the follwoing. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | 3 | |
| Environmental Policy Analysis | ||
| Environmental Geopolitics | ||
| Environment, Power, and Justice | ||
| Environmental Social Problems | ||
| Sociology of Global Food | ||
| Environmental Justice and Public Policy | ||
| Water Resource Sustainability | ||
| Ethnobotany | ||
| Natural Hazards and Environmental Risks | ||
| Environmental Humanities and Arts Satisfied by one of the following. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | 3 | |
| Global Environmental Literature | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Environmental History of North America | ||
| Radical Environmentalism in the United States | ||
| Resilient and Resistant Futures: Global Perspectives in Climate Change Literature | ||
| Sculpture Intercepting the Waste Stream | ||
| Art and Ecology: Inhabiting the Ecosphere | ||
| U.S. Environmental Thought in the 20th Century | ||
| Sculpture Intercepting the Waste Stream | ||
| Art and Ecology: Inhabiting the Ecosphere | ||
| Field Ecology. Satisfied by: | 3 | |
| Field Ecology | ||
or EVRN 660 | Summer Field Ecology | |
| Environmental Studies Required Electives | 15 | |
| Satisfied by 15 hours of approved Environmental Studies Jr/Sr level coursework (300-level or above). Students are encouraged to explore one of the 10 learning pathways when selecting electives, or work closely with an Academic Advisor to create a self-designed elective pathway. Students completing the departmental honors capstone sequence (EVRN 624 & EVRN 625) may count 3 hours of that sequence toward the elective requirement. | ||
| General Electives | 33-28 | |
| Students will need to complete additional general elective credits to reach the required 120 hours. | ||
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Capstone Internship | ||
| Capstone Project | ||
| Independent Study and Honors Research in Environmental Studies (Completion of EVRN 624 AND EVRN 625 required for Capstone experience. ) | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
A sample 4-year plan for the BA degree in Environmental Studies can be found here: Environmental Studies Sample 4-year BA plan, or by using the left-side navigation.
Sample 4-year plans for the BGS degree in Environmental Studies can be found here: Environmental Studies Sample 4-year BGS plan, or by using the left-side navigation.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Analyze environmental systems using interdisciplinary approaches and methods.
- Demonstrate disciplinary and/or thematic depth of training.
- Use environmental knowledge in being an active, engaged citizen/professional.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing for diverse audiences, including scientists, policy makers, and fellow citizens.
Departmental Honors
To graduate with honors in environmental studies, an undergraduate must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in the major. The student must also complete an individual honors research project in cooperation with a faculty mentor. This project normally represents 2 semesters of original work, the completion of 3 credit hours of EVRN 624 Independent Study, and 3 credit hours of EVRN 625 Honors Research in Environmental Studies. All 6 hours may be applied to the 12 hours of environmental studies electives required for the major. Upon completion of the research project, honors candidates are required to present the results of their work at the department’s Undergraduate Research Colloquium.