Environmental Studies
For a description of courses, visit Class Search.
NOTE: Degree requirements for incoming students may not reflect the actual degree requirements of current students.
The Environmental Studies Major consists of 34 hours of ENV courses, plus 15 hours of natural science courses. An example three-year degree track for Environmental Studies can be found here.
Core Courses (15 hours)
The following courses are required:
- ENV 200, Introduction to Environmental Studies (3)
- ST 200, Introduction to Science Studies (3)
- ST 205, Science & Society Speakers Series (one credit course that must be completed 2 times)(2)
- ENV 330, Geographic Information Systems (4)
- One of the following:
- ST 310, Social Studies of Science & Technology (3)
- ST 320, Philosophy of Science (3)
- ST 330, Language, Rhetoric & Science (3)
Practical Experience (3 hours)
- Can be satisfied by completing ENV 400, Environmental/Sustainability Practicum, an approved community-based internship,* or another experiential learning course approved by the director.
Elective Courses (15 hours)
- Including the following:
- Twelve (12) hours must be at the 300-400 level.
- Six (6) hours must be identified as social science related, and another six (6) hours must be identified as humanities related.
- Elective courses as well as ST 310, 320, and 330 may be used to satisfy the distribution requirement.
- No more than three (3) hours of independent study or internship credit can be used to satisfy this requirement.*
- No more than one of the research methods courses (PS 210, PS 211, and SO 393) may count towards this requirement.
* A combined total of six (6) internship or independent study hours may be used to satisfy ENV Major requirements. Three (3) may be used towards the Practical Experience requirement, and three (3) may be used towards the Elective requirement.
Natural Science Courses
The following courses are required for the major. These courses may also be counted toward a minor or major in a science and technology discipline:
- NW 207, Ecology and the Natural Environment OR BI 230, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology—Fundamentals
- CH 105, General Chemistry I
- CH 106, General Chemistry II
Distribution Requirement
Students must complete six (6) credits of coursework within the major that are identified as social science related, and another six (6) credits within the major that are identified as humanities related. Elective courses as well as ST 310, 320, and 330, may be used to satisfy the distribution requirement.
Applied Local Food Systems Concentration
Environmental Studies majors have the option to add a concentration in Applied Local Food Systems (ALFS). For the ALFS concentration, ENV majors must complete ENV 405 Food Systems and Metabolic Rift, a two semester internship experience (ENV 411) with the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability, and eight-nine (8-9) elective credits of ALFS designated courses. These 8-9 elective credits, plus the ENV 405 course will count toward the fifteen (15) elective credits needed for the ENV major. Further, the practical experience required for ENV majors can be satisfied with one semester of the internship (ENV 411) required for the ALFS concentration.
NOTE: Due to the overlap in courses, students are not permitted to double major or major and minor in Science, Technology, and Society and Environmental Studies.
The Environmental Studies Minor consists of eighteen (18) hours of ENV courses, plus 5 hours of natural science courses.
Core Courses (9 hours)
The following courses are required:
- ST 200, Introduction to Science Studies (3)
- ENV 200, Introduction to Environmental Studies (3)
- One of the following:
- ST 310, Social Studies of Science & Technology (3)
- ST 320, Philosophy of Science (3)
- ST 330, Language, Rhetoric & Science (3)
Elective Courses (9 hours)
Of these, six (6) hours must be at the 300-400 level. Further, three (3) hours of the ENV electives must be identified as social science related and another three (3) hours must be identified as humanities related. Elective courses as well as ST 310, 320, and 330 may be used to satisfy the distribution requirement. A total of no more than three (3) hours of independent study or internship credit can be used to satisfy this requirement. Additionally, no more than one of the research methods courses (PS 210, PS 211, and SO 393) may count towards this requirement.
Natural Science Courses
One of the following courses is required for the minor. Either course may also be counted toward a minor or major in a science and technology discipline:
- NW 207-BI, Ecology and the Natural Environment
- BI 230, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology—Fundamentals
- NW 210-CH, Chemistry and the environment
- NW 210-CH, Energy and Sustainability
- CH 106, General Chemistry II
Distribution Requirement
Student must complete three (3) credits of coursework within the major that are identified as social science related, and another three (3) credits within the major that are identified as humanities related. Elective courses as well as ST 310, 320, and 330, may be used to satisfy the distribution requirement.
Environmental Studies FAQs
Yes, Environmental Studies is a STEM degree. Environmental Studies requires integrating scientific methods and standards to collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data and forecasts. Butler’s Environmental Studies degree implements hands-on investigation and observations to explore environmental issues and develop sustainable solutions for preserving the natural world.
Butler’s Environmental Studies graduates enter the workforce with knowledge of human, plant, and animal life and creative and critical thinking skills. Environmental Studies careers can vary from environmental policy and development to science and health journalism. Some of these jobs include but are not limited to:
Environmental Scientist
- Geologist
- Ecologist
- Policy Analyst
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Environmental Studies Professor
Current students are encouraged to consult their academic advisement report in my.butler.edu to see their individual requirements and progress toward program completion.