Minors in Environmental Science

Environmental Science Minor (17-20 SH)

Required courses (15-18 SH)

• BIOL 173 Concepts in Biology - 4 OR ENVS 145 Environmental Science - 2   
• CHEM 223 General Chemistry - 4    OR CHEM 155 Matter and Energy - 3   
• *ENVS 325 Environmental Ethics – 2    OR *ENVS 365 Env. Risk Assessment and Policy - 2    
• *ENVS 385 Conservation Biology - 4    
• ENVS 430 Environmental Sustainability Capstone - 2    
• SOC 245 Environment and Society - 3    

Electives (2-5 SH)

Choose from this list:

• BIOL 235 Ecology: Adaptation and Environment - 4
• *BIOL 358 Natural History of the Shenandoah Valley - 4
• *BIOL 368 Blue Ridge Botany - 2
• *BIOL 364 Entomology: Vector Biology and Control - 3
• *BIOL 465 Topics in Advanced Ecology (2)  
• *CHEM 285 Environmental Chemistry - 4
• ENVS 135 Earth Science - 2
• *ENVS 205 Environmental Applications of GIS - 3
• *ENVS 235 Sustainable Food Systems - 2

Environmental Justice Minor (19 SH)

This minor is designed for students who wish to bridge their primary major of study with an investigation of the complexities of environmental and social justice. The minor complements and enriches students’ studies in a host of fields, including public health, urban planning, public administration, community organizing, humanitarian aid, engineering, and law.  Over the course of the curriculum, students come to better understand the inextricably connected systems that underlie environmental inequities and the disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities, ranging from local levels to global arenas. 

Required courses (11 SH)

• ENVS 145 Environmental Science - 2  
• SOC  245 Environment & Society - 3  
• *SOC 430 Environmental Justice - 3  
• SOWK 360  Race & Gender - 3  

Electives (8 SH)

Choose one course from this list:

• *ENVS 235 Sustainable Food Systems - 2  
• *ENVS 325 Environmental Ethics - 2  
• *ENVS 365 Environmental Risk and Policy - 2   

Choose one course from this list:

• ECON 300 Environmental and Ecological Economics - 3  
• NURS 432 Community Health - 3  
• *PPX 401 Human Rights and Dignity - 3  
• PXD  365 Social and Political Economy - 3  
• PXD  375 Globalization & Justice - 3  
• *SOC  350 Urban Sociology - 3  

Choose one course from this list:

• BUAD 465 Project Management and Grantwriting - 3  
• *ENVS 205 Environmental Applications of GIS - 3  
• *PXD 261 Community and Conflict Analysis Techniques - 3  
• PXD 341 Mediation and Facilitation - 3  
• *PXD 451 Program Evaluation - 3 
• SOC  336 Methods of Social Research - 3  

Environmental Studies Minor (18-20 SH)

Required courses (9 SH)

• ENVS 145 Environmental Science - 2  
• *ENVS 325 Environmental Ethics   OR *ENVS 365 Environmental Risk Assessment and Policy - 2  
• ENVS 430 Environmental Sustainability Capstone - 2  
• SOC 245 Environment and Society - 3  

Electives (9-11 SH)

Choose courses from the environmental science major’s required courses or either of the major’s two elective lists (environmental science or social sustainability).

* indicates the course is offered in alternate years