Minors in Environmental Science

Environmental Science (18-21 SH)

Core Courses (16-19 SH)

• BIOL 173 Concepts in Biology - 4 OR ENVS 145 Environmental Science - 2   
• BIOL 174 Concepts in Biology Seminar -1
• *ENVS 385 Conservation Biology - 4    
• SOC 245 Environment and Society - 3    
• 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 430 Environmental Sustainability Capstone - 2    

Electives (minimum 2 SH)

• ENVS 135 Earth Science - 2
• *ENVS 205 Environmental Applications of GIS - 3
• *ENVS 235 Sustainable Food Systems - 2
• BIOL 235 Ecology: Adaptation and Environment - 4
• *BIOL 358 Natural History of the Shenandoah Valley - 4
• *BIOL 368 Blue Ridge Botany - 2
• *BIOL 388 Entomology - 3
• *CHEM 285 Environmental Chemistry - 4
• *CHEM 305 Alternative Energy - 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.

Core Courses

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

Electives

Choose one of the following courses:

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

Choose one of the following courses:

• ECON 300 Environmental and Ecological Economics - 3  
• PXD  365 Social and Political Economy - 3  
• PXD  375 Globalization & Justice - 3  
• NURS 432 Community Health - 3  
• *SOC  350 Urban Sociology - 3  
• SPAN 430 Marginalized Voices in Hispanic America - 3  
• *PPX 401 Human Rights and Dignity - 3  

Choose one of the following courses:

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

Environmental Studies Minor (18-20 SH)

Core Courses

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

Electives

Choose 9-11 SH from the Environmental Science major required courses or either of the major’s two elective lists (environmental science or social sustainability).