In the Environmental Studies major, you’ll study the consequences of human actions on the natural landscape.
The interdisciplinary nature of our major will give you the extensive and broad preparation necessary to enter a career with governmental agencies, environmental organizations, the forestry service, or other professions dedicated to preserving our natural resources and protecting our environment.
The department’s expanding study abroad opportunities have offered experiences in Costa Rica, Jamaica, Bermuda and the Bahamas.
Course Information
All Environmental Studies majors take a specific set of courses: Biological Essentials (our introductory course), General Zoology, General Botany, Environmental Science, Environmental Issues, and Ecology. You’ll also take courses outside of biology and environmental studies including chemistry and statistics. Beyond these, you’re free to choose courses that fit your interests and career goals, and because environmental studies is such a broad discipline, you can fulfill major requirements by selecting courses ranging from business and communications to religion and history.
See Environmental Studies course descriptions below »
Engaged Learning in the Classroom
Because there’s no substitute for learning by doing, we design courses that engage you through lab and field experiences where you’ll put science to work. By using equipment, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating the results yourself, you’ll learn the basics of science firsthand. Then you’ll apply what you’ve learned in research courses where you’ll plan and execute an original research project.
In the classroom, you’ll participate in discussions, group projects and case studies designed to help you apply theories to real-life situations, analyze data, critique others’ work, and hone your critical thinking skills—all of which give you confidence in your abilities as scientists.
Departmental Clubs & Organizations
FSC’s Biology Department sponsors chapters of Beta Beta Beta, a national society for students in the biological sciences, and AMSA/Pre-Professional Society, the national organization for pre-medical and medical students, interns, residents and practicing physicians.