Prospective Students

Majoring in Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies majors form a community drawn together around a shared purpose—transforming society to be ecologically regenerative, socially just, and economically secure. The major engages a breadth of disciplines within the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, in the belief that all of these are needed to restore planetary ecosystems and human health. ENVS majors also gain depth of knowledge by taking six 3-credit courses within a concentration that focuses either on a particular environmental challenge or a career path. ENVS students enjoy flexibility in selecting courses they find most relevant to their specific concentration. Our curriculum provides students with a powerful experience of participating in a community that shares common goals, while also developing as individuals with unique interests, knowledge, and skills.

In your first year:

Consider registering for classes with an environmental focus. Below are examples of courses you can take before applying for the major, many of which also meet various core requirements. In some cases, these courses can later be used to meet major requirements as well.

  • BIOL 2010 Ecology and Evolution (fulfills 1 Natural Science)
  • BIOL 1706 and ENVS 1075 Understanding and Protecting Our Oceans in the Wake of Climate Change (fulfills 1 Natural Science and 1 Social Science)
  • EESC 1507 and HIST 1513 Powering America: The Past and Future of Energy, Technology, and the Environment (fulfills 1 History + 1 Natural Science)
  • EESC 1701 Rivers and the Environment (fulfills 1 Natural Science)
  • EESC 2201 The Human Footprint and EESC 2202 Ecosystems (fulfills requirements for ENVS major and minor)
  • SOCY 1501 and EESC 1501 Global Implications of Climate Change (fulfills 1 Social Science +1 Natural Science + Cultural Diversity)
  • SOCY 1509 and HIST 1505 Planet in Peril: History and Future of Human Impacts (fulfills 1 Social Science +1 History)

Check out student organizations like Climate Justice at BC, EcoPledge and Real Food. This is a great way to get involved with environmental action right as you arrive on campus.

Reflect on your purpose:

  • What matters to you most?
  • What goals would you be proudest to achieve?
  • What life would bring you the greatest fulfillment?

Early in the spring term:

Submit your application. The deadline is 5:00 p.pm on February 6. You will hear about your application status prior to the spring registration period.

Minoring in Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies Minor is designed to complement any undergraduate major.  The minor curriculum introduces the scientific, political, and cultural aspects of the world’s environmental problems and makes students aware of paths toward sustainable solutions. Minors gain background for environmentally related careers in business, education, law, policy or research; and preparation for graduate study.

First year students interested in minoring in Environmental Studies are encouraged to register for courses that will fulfill minor requirements, for example:

  • SOCY 1031 Society and Environmental Transformations
  • SOCY 1501 & EESC1501 Global Implications of Climate Change
  • SOCY 1509 & HIST 1505 Planet in Peril: History and Future of Human Impacts
  • EESC 2201 The Human Footprint and EESC 2202 Ecosystems
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