ECS BA Degree

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The B.A. degree in Ecosystem Science and Policy is recommended in preparation for careers in law, government and business, including professional schools and careers in government and private industries concerned with the environment.

Students pursuing the B.A. may choose to have the major fulfill either the STEM or People & Society cognate; they will need to complete the other cognate plus the Arts & Humanities cognate.  Students with a second major in another school or college should consult their advisors regarding requirements for that major.  Any course used to fulfill one ECS requirement cannot be used to fulfill another; however, courses other than the ECS core can be used to fulfill requirements for a cognate, minor, or second major.  Students whose primary college is Arts & Sciences are required to complete four courses designated as "Writing Intensive" (also known as "W") courses. Those seeking a B.A. degree in ECS must complete at least two, but as many as four, ECS courses designated as "W". These include ECS 113, ECS 301, ECS 302, ECS 402, and ECS 403.  Up to two "W" courses may be selected from other departments. Students whose primary degree is in another school or college should follow its writing requirements. 

 Click for a printable ECS BA worksheet‌.

ECS Core Courses

  

ECS 111

Introduction to the Earth's Ecosystem

3

ECS 112

Field Problems in Ecosystem Science and Policy

2

ECS 113

Introduction to Environmental Policy

3

ECS 201

Seminar Series in Contemporary Environmental Issues I

1

or ECS 202

Seminar Series in Contemporary Environmental Issues II

ECS 232

Ecological Principles and Environmental Applications

3

ECS 301

Tools for Environmental Decision-Making: The Quantitative Perspective

3

ECS 302

Perspectives on Environmental Decision Making

3

ECS 401

Internship

3

or ECS 402

Thesis

ECS 403

Interdisciplinary Approaches

3
   

Science Core Courses

  

Geological Sciences:

  

Select one of the following:

3-6

GSC 102

Evolution of the Biosphere

  

GSC 103

Evolution of the Modern Earth's Environment

  

GSC 106

Geological Influences on Society

  

GSC 110
& GSC 114

The Earth System
and Earth Processes Lab

  

GSC 111

Earth System History

  

Marine Science:

  

MSC 101

Survey of Oceanography

3

or MSC 111

Introduction to Marine Science

Electives:

  

Environmentally-related science elective(s) to total 3 credits 1

3
   

Mathematics Courses

  

MTH 108

Precalculus Mathematics II (or higher)

3

Select one of the following Statistics courses:

3

ECS 204

Environmental Statistics

  

MSC 204

Environmental Statistics

  

BIL 311

Biostatistics

  

MTH 224

Introduction to Probability and Statistics

  

PSY 292

Introduction To Biobehavioral Statistics For Non-Majors

  
   

Social Science Core Courses

GEG 310

Geographic Information Systems I

3

Select one of the following:

3

ECO 211

Principles of Microeconomics

ECO 212

Principles of Macroeconomics

INS 102

Global Economics

Select one of the following:

3

POL 201

Introduction to American National Government

POL 202

Introduction to Comparative Politics

POL 203

Introduction to International Relations

Select one of the following:

3

APY 201

Principles of Archaeology

APY 202

Principles of Cultural Anthropology

APY 203

Principles of Physical Anthropology

APY 204

Principles of Linguistic Anthropology

Select three credit hours of environmentally-related People & Society electives: 2

3

Select three credit hours of environmentally-related People & Society electives at 300 level or higher: 2

3

APY 418

Seminar in Anthropology

APY 435

Anthropology of Nature and Environment

ARC 594

Geographic Information Systems in Urban Design

ECO 345

Environmental Economics

ECO 351

Economics of Development

GEG 345

Drinking Water: Past, Present, and Future

GEG 341

Population, Health, and Environment

GEG 334

Biogeography and Conservation

GEG 410

Geographic Information Systems II

GEG 321

Remote Sensing of the Environment

GEG 421

GIS and Environmental Modeling

HIS 368

Nature and the Environment in American History

INS 322

Economics of Development and the Environment

INS 421

Poverty and the Environment

LAS 302

Interdisciplinary Topics in Latin American and Caribbean Studies-Travel Course

POL 314

Legislative Processes

SOC 210

Introduction to Social Research

Total Credit Hours

54-57

 

1

Additional courses may be approved by the ECS program.

2

APY, ARC, ECO, ECS, GEG, HIS, INS, LAS, MAF, POL, SOC