Environmental Science Major

Environmental Science

The Environmental Science program is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges .  

Learning Outcomes

1. Use foundational principles to analyze problems in nature
2. Develop hypotheses and test them using quantitative techniques
3. Articulate applications of science in the modern world
4. Effectively communicate scientific concepts both orally and in writing

Advisors: D. McFarlane, K. Purvis-Roberts, C. Robins, D.Thomson, V. Vriesman

Major Requirements

The major in Environmental Science requires the successful completion of at least thirteen courses and a senior thesis. An environmentally focused study abroad semester is strongly recommended but not required. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue field and laboratory research experiences prior to the senior thesis. Students may not complete a major in Environmental Science alongside a major or minor in Biology, Geology, or Organismal Biology. Please consult with an Environmental Science advisor for more details.

Required Courses

• One introductory environmental analysis course: 
  • EA 010 SC -Intro to Environmental Analysis  
  • EA 010 PZ -Intro to Environmental Analysis  
  • EA 020 PO -Nature, Culture and Society  
  • EA 086 PZ -Environmental Justice  
• Four introductory natural science courses:
  • EA 030L KS -Science and the Environment  
  • BIOL 044L KS -Introductory Biology  
  • CHEM 014L KS -Basic Principles of Chemistry  
  • EA 055LAKS -Earth Surface Environments  or EA 055LBKS -Earth History & Evolution  or EA 055LCKS -Natural Disasters  or alternate introductory earth science course approved in consultation with the Department of Natural Sciences Environmental Science faculty
• One non-introductory elective course in Environmental Analysis, or one environmentally focused course in economics, political studies, or related discipline, approved by an Environmental Science advisor
• Six upper-division environmental science courses selected in consultation with Environmental Science faculty in the Department of Natural Sciences. Three of these courses must have a laboratory requirement. They may be cross-listed but normally may not double-count for another science major.
  • one or more in Ecology (e.g. BIOL 135L KS -Field Biology , BIOL 138 KS -Applied Ecology & Conservation , BIOL 138L KS -Appl Ecol + Conservation Lab , BIOL 146L KS -Ecology with Lab , BIOL 147 KS -Biogeography , BIOL 169L KS -Marine Ecology , BIOL 184L KS -Disease Ecology and Evolution , and others)
  • one or more that emphasizes Earth Science (e.g. EA 100L KS -Global Climate Change w/Lab , EA 103L KS -Soils and the Environment w/Lab , and others including upper division Geology courses) 
• One course in statistics or the application of quantitative methods to environmental problems. This requirement may be satisfied by taking an approved course with a quantitative focus as one of the six upper-division EA science courses. Alternatively, students may take an approved non-science course in statistics in addition to the other major requirements.
• Senior thesis to include one of the following options: a one-semester thesis - EA 191 KS -EA Science 1-semester Sr Thesis ; or a two-semester thesis - either EA 188L KS -EA Science Sr Thesis Res Proj  and EA 190L KS -EA Science 2nd Sem Sr Thesis  (Fall and Spring) or EA 189L KS -EA Science Summer Thesis Res  and EA 190L KS -EA Science 2nd Sem Sr Thesis  (Summer and Fall)

Note: additional courses may be required as prerequisites for specific upper-division courses, for career paths, or for graduate program admission. Students intending to pursue graduate study in a natural science discipline are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 015L KS -Basic Principles of Chemistry  or equivalent, and to complete math through Calculus II as expectations for admission. Graduate programs may have additional course requirements for admission.

Environmental Science Courses