Environmental Studies
Explore solutions to pressing environmental challenges
As an Environmental Studies major, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of human interaction within the natural environment by taking courses in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. This interdisciplinary curriculum will allow you to evaluate current and emerging environmental problems and determine potential solutions.
Majoring in environmental studies offers many opportunities for hands-on research experience as program faculty are active researchers in soil and wetland science, restoration ecology, geology, paleontology, and conservation. In addition, DePaul’s close proximity to Lake Michigan, Chicago’s urban ecosystem will allow you to interact and work with professionals in the field and learn about important environmental issues.
The Environmental Studies program offers a Standard concentration, which studies the interdependency among physical, biological, economic and social systems and a Sustainability concentration. The Sustainability concentration also offers an Urban Sustainability focus.
In addition we offer a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Management. This program allows you to complete a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in as few as five years.
Classes
Coursework
- Biology
- Earth System Science
- Ecology
- Environmental Conservation
- Environmental Data Analysis
- History of Chicago
- Issues in Environmental Design
- Philosophy and the Environment
- Sustainable Development
Resources
Concentrations/Tracks
- Standard
- Sustainability
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Aquatic ecology
- Compliance
- Ecotourism
- Education
- Environmental consulting
- Groundwater protection
- International forestry planning
- Natural resource management
- Park operations and maintenance
- Recreation planning
- Wetlands protection
- Wildlife data management
92%
of Environmental Studies graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Major Requirements
Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENV 150 | FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | 4 |
| ENV 152 | ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ECONOMICS | 4 |
| ENV 205 | BIOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | 4 |
| or BIO 193 | GENERAL BIOLOGY III FOR SCIENCE MAJORS | |
| ENV 216 | EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE (WITH LAB) | 4 |
| ENV 217 | HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT | 4 |
| ENV 250 | APPLIED ECOLOGY (WITH LAB) | 4 |
| ENV 261 | MIXED METHODS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (WITH LAB) | 4 |
| ENV 294 | SECOND YEAR SEMINAR | 2 |
| ENV 203 | CHEMISTRY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (WITH LAB ) 1 | 4 |
| or CHE 103 | ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY | |
| ENV 350 | ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND STUDIES CAPSTONE (Liberal Studies Program Capstone) 2 | 4 |
1
Students can also complete CHE 134 with CHE 135 in place of ENV 203.
2
Students in the University Honor Program and students with a double major may be required to take a different Capstone. If this is the case, they may choose to substitute ENV 350 as one of their required 300-level ENV courses or as an open elective.
Concentration Requirements
Students must also complete the requirements from one of the following concentrations: Standard or Sustainability.? Students are limited to only declaring one concentration.
Environmental Studies (BA) students are not eligible to earn a double major in Environmental Science (BS)
Students are advised to talk with their advisor before double majoring, because some major combinations are prohibited. No more than 50% of the credits that apply to one major may be drawn from another major.
Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.
