Environmental Studies (B.A.)
The B.A. degree in Environmental Studies exposes students to the broad range of issues that arise from the interaction of humans with the natural world, and to the tools required to understand and solve environmental problems. Climate change, water pollution, habitat loss, biodiversity decline, acid rain, and endocrine disruption are examples of recent environmental problems which require interdisciplinary thinking that crosses existing disciplinary boundaries. The tools required to address these problems are drawn from fields such as natural resource management, land use planning, cultural, historic, nature preservation, population, cultural and global studies, and ethics. Consequently, Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program, taught by faculty from across the University.
The major consists of 46-48 credit hours, with courses drawn from fields such as biology, math, public policy, economics and cultural and historic preservation. These courses are followed by student-directed research leading to a thesis in the senior year. The Environmental Studies major encourages students to address real-world problems through research, internships and field study.
Salve Regina University is uniquely poised to offer the environmental studies major because of our mission to be stewards of the earth, the talents of our faculty, the obvious connection with its beautiful surroundings, its geographic proximity to fresh and saltwater bodies, forests and farmland, and collaborations with local and regional groups, such as the Atlantic Division of the EPA, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, the Graduate School of Oceanography of the University of Rhode Island, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Save the Bay, Clean Ocean Access, and the Aquidneck Land Trust.
Students majoring in Environmental Studies complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree: 49–51 credits of core courses, 20–28 elective credits, and 46–49 credits of major courses. Students complete ten foundational courses (31 credits) and at least six elective courses in their major (16–18 credits). Students are also required to complete either directed research or an internship.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| BIO-140 | Humans and their Environment | 3 |
| BIO-140L | Humans and their Environment Lab | 1 |
| BIO-255 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| CEG-222 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CEG-450 | Capstone | 3 |
| CHP-310 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ECN-102 | Introductory Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENV-334 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| GLO-350 | Earth 2050 | 3 |
| POL-345 | International Environment and Development | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Global Studies | ||
| The Sociological Imagination | ||
| Anthropology: Interpreting Cultural Differences | ||
| Elective courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| Marine Biology | ||
| Tropical Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Earth Science | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| The City as a Work of Art | ||
| Coastal Economics & the Maritime Environment | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Special Topics in Environmental Studies | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Care for Creation: Christianity, Ethics and the Environment | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Thesis Cultural, Environmental & Global Studies | ||
| Hydroponics Practicum | ||
| Environmental Science Internship | ||
| Environmental Studies Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Total Credits | 46-49 | |
Degree Plan for Environmental Studies (B.A.)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| UNV-101 & FYT-101 |
University Seminar and First Year Studio |
4 |
| Select one of the Following ENV Electives: | 3 | |
| Anthropology: Interpreting Cultural Differences | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies | ||
| The Sociological Imagination | ||
| BIO-140 & 140L |
Humans and their Environment and Humans and their Environment Lab |
4 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNV-102 | University Seminar II | 3 |
| ECN-102 | Introductory Microeconomics | 3 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| RTS-225 or PHL-225 |
The Quest for the Ultimate: Dialogue with Global Religious Traditions 1 or Quest for the Good Life |
3 |
| HIS Core 2 | 3 | |
| ENG Core 3 | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| RTS-225 or PHL-225 |
The Quest for the Ultimate: Dialogue with Global Religious Traditions 1 or Quest for the Good Life |
3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| BIO-255 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| CEG-222 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CHP-310 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Marine Biology | ||
| Tropical Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| CEG-390 | Current Issues | 3 |
| POL-345 | International Environment and Development | 3 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the Following Electives: 1 | 3 | |
| The City as a Work of Art | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Care for Creation: Christianity, Ethics and the Environment | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the Following Electives: 1 | 3 | |
| The City as a Work of Art | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Care for Creation: Christianity, Ethics and the Environment | ||
| ENV-334 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Marine Biology | ||
| Tropical Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CEG-450 | Capstone | 3 |
| Select one of the Following ENV Electives: | 1-6 | |
| Hydroponics Practicum | ||
| Environmental Studies Internship | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Environmental Science Internship | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 13-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Art Core 4 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-127 | |