Environmental Studies, B.A.
Environmental studies at Saint Louis University focuses on relationships between the natural environment and social, economic, political, legal and humanistic aspects of society.
As global population and consumption rise, understanding the interplay between environmental and social systems has become an increasingly important component of decision-making and planning. SLU's B.A. in Environmental Studies program helps prepare students for careers that emphasize a dual awareness of scientific and social perspectives and their relationship to the natural environment.
Curriculum Overview
The environmental studies curriculum at Saint Louis University is built upon a breadth-plus-depth model. All students entering the environmental studies program are required to complete a core set of preparatory science and skill-development courses that provide a broad introduction to the environmental sciences. Students then choose a specialized concentration that provides more advanced instruction in their areas of interest to help prepare them for careers after graduation. The program has been developed through collaboration with many other departments on campus, and it provides considerable flexibility in course selection within the tracks. For most students, the program fuses an understanding of environmental science with the approximate equivalent of a self-designed minor in their specific area of interest.
Environmental studies students take a minimum of 38 credits of math and science core classes. Students then choose from one of the following concentrations:
- Advocacy and discourse
- Economics, politics and public policy
- Natural sciences
- Philosophy, religion and ethics
- Society and the environment through space and time
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Weekend field trips, canoe trips and social events are scheduled throughout the year. One perk associated with this major is the opportunity to join other faculty and students on annual, weeklong field trips across the country. Visit environmentally important sites and get to know the faculty, other students and alumni who join the trips.
Undergraduate students in the environmental studies program have the option to pursue internship opportunities through the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geospatial Science or in collaboration with other departments on campus. Students also have the option to participate in a capstone project designed to provide a real-world perspective as part of their undergraduate training.
Careers
The environmental studies program prepares students for careers in business, law, government or wherever knowledge of scientific and social perspectives on the environment is important. Students also have the opportunity to prepare for more advanced degrees in a wide range of fields, including law, economics and public policy.
Admission Requirements
Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.
Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Tuition
Tuition | Cost Per Year |
---|---|
Undergraduate Tuition | $54,760 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- Graduates will know the founding principles in their field of study, as well as the facts and content appropriate to the field.
- Graduates will be able to use their knowledge to reason about issues in their discipline.
- Graduates will be able to solve quantitative problems in their discipline.
Students in the bachelor's environmental studies program must complete a minimum total of 65 credits for the major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
Major Requirements | ||
Physical Sciences | ||
EAS 1430 & EAS 1435 | Introduction to the Solid Earth and Introduction to the Solid Earth Lab | 4 |
EAS 1030 | Earth's Dynamic Environment II | 3 |
Chemistry Elective | 3-4 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
CHEM 1000 | Chemistry and the Environment | |
Any chemistry course | ||
Life Sciences | 6-8 | |
Select two of the following: | ||
BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory | |
BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 | General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory | |
BIOL 1200 | Ecological Issues and Society | |
BIOL 1340 | Diversity of Life | |
Integrated Science Course | ||
EAS 3100 | Environmental Issues | 3 |
Mathematical/Statistics Requirement | 3-4 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
MATH 1200 | College Algebra | |
MATH 1400 | Pre-Calculus | |
MATH 1510 | Calculus I | |
Mathematical/Statistics Elective | 3-4 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
OPM 2070 | Introduction to Business Statistics | |
MATH 1510 | Calculus I | |
MATH 1520 | Calculus II | |
PSY 2050 | Foundations of Research Methods and Statistics | |
STAT 1300 | Elementary Statistics with Computers | |
Skill Development | ||
CMM 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
GIS 4010 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Senior Experience | ||
EAS 4910 | Internship | 3 |
Environmental Studies Concentration * | 24-27 | |
First Tier Courses | ||
Students must choose one course from each of the concentrations' First Tier courses | ||
Second Tier Courses | ||
Students choose 9-12 credits from the Second Tier courses from their primary concentration. Additionally, any First Tier course in concentrations other than the primary concentration can be used to satisfy this requirement. | ||
General Electives | 19-30 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
- *
Students who choose to select two major concentrations may apply a maximum of 12 credits from an individual department towards completion of both concentrations. One Second Tier course may be applied simultaneously towards the completion requirements of both major concentrations.
Non-Course Requirements
All Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program.
Continuation Standards
Students must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in their major courses (EAS) and required related credits (biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer sciences, physics, etc.) by the conclusion of their freshman year. Students that fall below a 2.0 GPA will be placed on probation. If a student fails to obtain at least a 2.0 GPA in their major courses and required related credits by the conclusion of their sophomore year they will not be allowed to continue in the program.
Advocacy and Discourse Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
First Tier Courses | ||
CMM 2100 | Journalism: News Writing | 3 |
CMM 3060 | Political Communication | 3 |
Second Tier Courses | ||
CMM 3200 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
CMM 3060 | Political Communication | 3 |
CMM 3600 | Public Relations Principles and Practices | 3 |
CMM 4430 | Culture, Technology and Communication | 3 |
ENGL 3885 | Writing Personal Narratives | 3 |
ENGL 3590 | Nature and Literature | 3 |
PHIL 3450 | Disaster Narratives | 3 |
Economics, Politics and Public Policy Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
First Tier Courses | ||
ECON 1900 | Principles of Economics 1 | 3 |
POLS 1100 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
Second Tier Courses | ||
CMM 3060 | Political Communication | 3 |
ECON 3140 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
POLS 2600 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 3 |
POLS 3600 | Problems of Globalization | 3 |
POLS 3640 | International Law | 3 |
POLS 4730 | Seminar: Contemporary Political Ideologies | 3 |
- 1
Required when Economics, Politics, and Public Policy is the primary concentration.
Natural Sciences Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
First Tier Courses | ||
EAS 1600 | Sustainable Energy | 3 |
BIOL 1200 | Ecological Issues and Society | 3 |
BIOL 1340 | Diversity of Life | 3 |
BIOL 3450 | Economic Botany | 3 |
Second Tier Courses | ||
Any upper-division BIOL, CHEM, or EAS course. 2 |
- 2
Note that many upper-division science courses have BIOL 1240 General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution (3 cr) and BIOL 1260 General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter (3 cr), CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 (3 cr) and CHEM 1125 General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1 cr), and/or MATH 1510 Calculus I (4 cr) as pre-requisites.
Philosophy, Religion and Ethics Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
First Tier Courses | ||
PHIL 3420 | Environmental and Ecological Ethics | 3 |
THEO 2820 | Religion and Science 1 | 3 |
THEO 3510 | Faith and Politics | 3 |
THEO 3525 | Green Discipleship: Theology & Ecology | 3 |
Second Tier Courses | ||
ANTH 2210 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
PHIL 4150 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
ANTH 2200 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
THEO 3510 | Faith and Politics | 3 |
THEO 4930 | Special Topics | 3 |
- 1
Required when Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics is the primary concentration.
Society and the Environment through Space and Time Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
First Tier Courses | ||
SOC 1180 | World Geography 1 | 3 |
ANTH 2200 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
ANTH 3270 | Climate Change & Environmental Futures | 3 |
HIST 3660 | History of Nature in America | 3 |
Second Tier Courses | ||
ANTH 2210 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
GIS 4020 | Intermediate GIS | 3 |
POLS 3330 | Metropolitan Environment | 3 |
POLS 3600 | Problems of Globalization | 3 |
POLS 3640 | International Law | 3 |
POLS 4730 | Seminar: Contemporary Political Ideologies | 3 |
SOC 4640 | Demographic Methods, Analysis, and Public Policy | 3 |
- 1
Required when Society and the Environment through Space and Time is the primary concentration.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
EAS 1430 & EAS 1435 |
Introduction to the Solid Earth and Introduction to the Solid Earth Lab |
4 |
Math Course | College algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus | 3 |
CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community | 1 |
University Core and/or General Electives | 4 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
EAS 1030 | Earth's Dynamic Environment II | 3 |
Biology Course | 3 | |
University Core and/or General Electives | 6 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Chemistry course | 3 | |
Math course | A statistics class or Calculus | 3 |
Courses in chosen Concentration | 6 | |
University Core and/or General Electives | 6 | |
Credits | 18 | |
Spring | ||
Biology course | 3 | |
CMM 1200 or EAS 2450 |
Public Speaking or Communicating in Science |
3 |
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
University Core and/or General Electives | 6 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
EAS 3100 | Environmental Issues | 3 |
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
University Core and/or General Electives | 9 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
University Core and/or General Electives | 9 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Summer | ||
EAS 4910 | Internship | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
GIS 4010 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
University Core and/or General Electives | 6 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
Course in chosen Concentration | 3 | |
University Core and/or General Electives | 9 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Students can complete all or part of their B.A. in Environmental Studies at SLU’s campus in Madrid.