BA in Environmental Studies

Area of Study Overview

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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program prepares adults for career change, advancement, or graduate education, while providing personal enrichment. The program shows how the biological, physical, and social sciences are employed to understand complex environmental problems. Required courses present the methodology and conceptual framework. Students develop a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge in environmental studies.

Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 18 credits must be upper level 300 level or above within the area of study.

NOTE: Because this area of study is interdisciplinary, it must be planned closely with a BA degree program advisor.

Credit Distribution

I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)

TESU Featured Courses are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.  For more information see About Our General Education Program.  To plan your program please contact an Advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-101English Composition I

3

ENC-102English Composition II

3

COM-209Public Speaking

3

MAT-115Intermediate Algebra

3

SOS-110Critical Information Literacy

3

For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills.

B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)

SOC-101Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology

3

ETH-230Ethics in the Digital Age

3

POS-110American Government

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership.

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)

SOC-210Marriage and the Family

3

HIS-113American History I

3

FIL-110American Cinema

3

Select two featured courses from the list below
SOC-291Criminology

3

HIS-114American History II

3

HIS-121Introduction to World History I

3

HUM-103Introduction to the Humanities III: Music

3

PHI-130Introduction to Critical Reasoning

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures.

D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)

EAS-101General Earth Science

3

BIO-208The Science of Nutrition

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Scientific Knowledge.

II. Area of Study (45 Credits)

A. Required Courses (26 Credits)

GLB-301Global Issues and Society

3

CHE-121General Chemistry I with Lab

4

-TRSFR REQ.
General Biology I with Lab

4

-TRSFR REQ.
Introduction to Environmental Science

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Earth's Resources

3

Choose nine credits from three of the following areas

ENS-314Global Environmental Change

6

-TRSFR REQ.
Anthropology of the Environment

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Economics of the Environment

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Environmental Psychology

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Philosophy/Environment

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Politics of the Environment

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Sociology/Environment

3

B. Environmental Studies Electives* (12 Credits)

-TRSFR REQ.
Environmental Studies Electives

12

Other Environmental Studies courses may be appropriate for this area of study. For additional course options, please contact an Advisor.

C Natural Sciences and Mathematics Electives (4 Credits)

-
Natural Sciences and Mathematics Electives

4

Complete 4 credits in the Natural Sciences and Math areas.

D. Capstone (3 Credits)

LIB-495Liberal Arts Capstone

3

III. Electives (30 Credits)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.

TRANSFER REQUIREMENT: TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Environmental Studies program will be able to:

  • define the human and natural phenomena that impact the environment;
  • identify and analyze the technology and management strategies that prevent, control, and remedy the human and natural phenomena that impact the environment;
  • demonstrate and communicate knowledge of environmental, socioeconomic, and political implications of human interactions with the environment;
  • explain environmental problems, analyze risks to humans and the environment, and propose alternate solutions to remedy environmental problems; and
  • demonstrate awareness of how the scientific method is applied in environmental studies research.