Degree Requirements
All students are required to complete overall degree requirements in addition to their major. Please see Degree Completion Requirements for full details for students entering in the 2024-2025 catalog year.
Those students who started at Hiram prior to the 2024-2025 academic year will follow the Degree Requirements outlined in your catalog of record.
Major Requirements
49-57 credit hours
The environmental studies major requires that students understand both natural and human systems, develop proficiency in communicating ideas and basic quantitative analytical skills, and build other skills that support their individual goals. Students majoring in environmental studies proceed through two key integrative courses, take a series of required courses to build a multidisciplinary foundation, complete a 120-hour internship, and select three elective courses (for 9-12 credits) to complete an emphasis in either natural systems, human social systems, or communicating complexity.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Integrative Course Sequence | ||
| EVST 10100 | INTRO TO SOCIO-ENV STUDIES:ES (typically taken in the first- or second-year) | 4 |
| EVST 48000 | SENIOR SEMINAR | 4 |
| Supportive Skills & Experience | ||
| EVST 49800 | INTERNSHIP | 1 |
| Natural Systems | ||
| EVST 27800 | ECOLOGY-W/LAB:SM | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| SPC TPC: (Photosynthesis) | ||
| CHEM IN CONTEXT-W/LAB:SM | ||
| GEN I:STRUCTURE/BOND-W/LAB:SM | ||
| GEN II:INTR CHEM ANLS-W/LAB:SM | ||
| EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE | ||
| CLIMATE CHANGE | ||
| PRINCIPLES PHYSICS I-W/LAB:SM | ||
or PHYS 21300 | FUNMNTLS OF PHYSICS-W/LAB I:SM | |
| PRINCIPLES PHYSICS II-W/LAB:SM | ||
or PHYS 21400 | FUNMNTL OF PHYSICS-W/LAB II:SM | |
Alternative course in physical or natural sciences with approval | ||
| Human Social Systems | ||
| ECON 20100 | PRIN OF MICROECONOMICS:MM | 4 |
| or ECON 20000 | ECONOMIC ISSUES:MM | |
| EVST 33800 | ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM &POLICY | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| AMERICN ENVRONMNTAL HIST:CA,UD | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:ES | ||
Alternative approved by environmental studies faculty | ||
| Communicating Complexity | ||
| Select two courses in communication or writing from a pre-approved listing | 6-8 | |
| MATH 10800 | STATISTICS:MM | 4 |
| or MATH 13200 | METHODS OF DECISION MAKING:MM | |
| Area of Emphasis | ||
| Select one of the following emphasis areas in consultation with environmental studies advisor: | 9-12 | |
Natural Systems | ||
Human Social Systems | ||
Communicating Complexity | ||
| Total Hours | 49-57 | |
Supportive Skills & Experience
See Internship Guidelines for details (typically conducted at some point between the end of sophomore year and the beginning of senior year)
Additional elective skills courses may be drawn from any program and may include such diverse subjects as geographic information systems (GIS), field experience, photography, and scuba diving.
Natural Systems
Additional elective courses in this area may be drawn from any of the natural and physical sciences.
Human Social Systems
Additional elective courses in this area are typically drawn from the social sciences and humanities but can be found in many other programs, as well as the College’s INTD offerings.
Communicating Complexity
Additional elective courses in this area are typically drawn from education, communication, and writing but may include art and design, computer science, mathematics, and performing arts.
A Note about General Education Requirements: It is relatively common for environmental studies majors to complete at least six Core Curriculum requirements (CA, CM, ES, MM, SM, and UD—see College Catalog for descriptions) while meeting course requirements for the major.