Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
The objective of the Environmental Studies B.A. program is to produce exceptional graduates who are literate across disciplines and are therefore equipped to understand relationships between humans and the biophysical world. The program examines how the environment is being used, abused, and perceived, and what individuals and organizations are doing and can do to protect it for themselves, future generations, and other living beings and ecosystems. Students participate in an internship and take a senior seminar. Both requirements emphasize civic and community engagement and preparation for future environmental careers.
Environmental Studies graduates have opportunities for employment at many different venues. Private industry opportunities include solid waste management, resource recovery and recycling, hazardous waste management, water treatment and delivery, and air pollution control. Major local corporations have employment opportunities in environmental health and safety and environmental management. Environmental consultants who specialize in creating or reviewing environmental impact reports and statements and environmental regulations are needed at the federal and state agency level as well as in the private sector. In addition, nonprofit and activist groups also recruit for public education, social media and fundraising positions.
B.A. Guided Elective Areas
Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice provides students with an understanding of the relationships between social justice and environmental problems and solutions. Students study the roles that values and social, political, and economic structures play in contributing to the environmental crisis.
The Urban Environment pathway provides students with a strong interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical understanding for dealing with environmental issues in urban settings.
The Humanities and the Environment pathway explores the varied and complex ways that different cultures — past and present — view and communicate about the environment.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationships between social justice and environmental problems in local, national and global contexts.
- Demonstrate understanding of chemical, biological, and social processes related to environmental problems and the ability to integrate these with the understandings and critical evaluations of descriptive statistics commonly used in environmental literature.
- Communicate clearly and accurately both orally and in writing and be able to conduct research appropriate to area of emphasis.
- Demonstrate basic understanding of civic activities and processes, and of methods of engagement in those processes.
- Demonstrate understanding of the interconnections of economy, politics, culture and society, and of potential points of intervention to enhance sustainability and social justice.
Environmental Studies (B.A.) — 42 units minimum
Students are advised that the CR grade is acceptable in any two courses to be counted for the major. No more than one course counted toward major requirements may be completed with a grade less than a C–.
Core (22-25 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select One: | 3 | |
| Principles of Ecology | ||
| Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution | ||
| Select One: | 3-4 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Chemistry for Energy and the Environment | ||
| ENV 500GW | Physical and Human Dimensions of Climate Change - GWAR | 3 |
| ENVS 130 | Environmental Studies | 3 |
| ENV 205 | Our Environment Through Data | 3 |
| ENVS 450 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 680 | Environmental Studies Internship | 1-3 |
| ENV 690 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
Core Electives (9-12 units)
Select one from each category:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Environment | 3-4 | |
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Our Physical Environment | ||
| Sustainability and Social Justice | 3-4 | |
| Energy, Justice, and Sustainability | ||
| Climate Change Adaptation and Justice | ||
| Applied Local Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Sustainable Development in Cities | ||
| Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment | ||
| Global/International | 3-4 | |
| Climate Politics and Policy | ||
| Climate Change Adaptation and Justice | ||
| Global Environmental Crisis | ||
| International Political Economy of Food and Hunger | ||
Guided Electives (11-12 units)
Select 11-12 units not used to satisfy the elective categories above. Electives should be organized into a coherent area of study; three suggested pathways are shown below. Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice, The Urban Environment, and Humanities and the Environment. These pathways are not mandatory; students interested in alternative routes through the elective portion of the major should consult with an advisor.
Guided Elective Pathway 1: Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice
The Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice guided electives provide students with a theoretical and applied understanding of the issues of sustainability and the connections between social justice and environmental problems and solutions. Students study the roles that values and social, political, and economic structures play in contributing to the environmental crisis. With the help of an advisor, students obtain depth by selecting elective courses from political science, American Indian studies, sociology, philosophy and religion, economics, urban studies and planning, geography, women and gender studies, and other related fields.
Take 11-12 units. Two courses must be from the shortlist. Courses used to meet other requirements of the major cannot also be used to meet the environmental sustainability and social justice emphasis requirements.
Shortlist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS 460 | Energy, Justice, and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENVS 470 | Climate Politics and Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 480 | Climate Change Adaptation and Justice | 3 |
| ENVS 530 | Environmental Leadership and Organizing | 3 |
| ENVS 570 | Applied Local Sustainability | 3 |
| GEOG 421 | Future Environments | 3 |
| PLSI 354 | Politics, the Environment, and Social Change | 4 |
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities (if not taken in core) | 4 |
| USP 515/GEOG 667 | Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment | 4 |
Longlist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AIS 310 | American Indian Religion and Philosophy | 3 |
| BECA 502 | Environmental Communication on Electronic Media | 3 |
| BUS 450 | Greening of Business | 3 |
| CINE 344 | Film Genre | 3 |
| COMM 572 | Communication and Environmental Justice | 4 |
| COMM 675 | Climate Ambassadors Practicum | 4 |
| CST 300/PLSI 386 | Introduction to Critical Social Thought | 3 |
| ECON 550 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ECON 620 | Economic Development | 3 |
| ENG 490 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| ENVS/I R 331 | Global Environmental Crisis | 4 |
| GEOG 425 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 427 | Agriculture and Food Supply | 4 |
| GEOG/ENVS 600 | Environmental Problems and Solutions | 3 |
| GEOG 647 | Geography of Water Resources | 4 |
| GEOG/USP 652 | Environmental Impact Analysis | 4 |
| GEOG 666 | Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction | 3 |
| GPS/I R/PHIL 315 | Introduction to Global Peace Studies | 3 |
| I R/IBUS 334 | International Organizations: New World Order | 4 |
| LS/ENVS 401 | International Development and Resource Justice | 3 |
| LS/ENVS 430 | Future of the Forests | 3 |
| PH 655 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| PHIL 470 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PLSI/PHIL 355 | Politics and Ethics of the Consumer Society | 3 |
| SOC/RRS 410 | Grassroots Organizing for Change in Communities of Color | 3 |
| SOC 477 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 483 | Global Sociology | 4 |
| USP/S W 456 | Urban Community Organizing and Citizen Action | 3 |
Guided Elective Pathway 2: The Urban Environment
The Urban Environment guided electives provide students with a strong interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical understanding for dealing with environmental issues in urban settings. With the help of an advisor, students obtain depth by selecting elective courses focusing on sustainable urban development, environmental justice, land-use planning, environmental policy, and the urban environment in a global perspective.
Take 11-12 units. Two courses must be from the shortlist. Courses used to meet other requirements of the major cannot also be used to meet the Urban Environment emphasis requirements.
Shortlist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS 460 | Energy, Justice, and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENVS 480 | Climate Change Adaptation and Justice | 3 |
| GEOG/USP 433 | Urban Transportation | 4 |
| GEOG/USP 652 | Environmental Impact Analysis | 4 |
| GEOG/USP 658 | Land-Use Planning | 4 |
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities | 4 |
| USP 515/GEOG 667 | Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment | 4 |
Longlist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BUS 450 | Greening of Business | 3 |
| COMM 572 | Communication and Environmental Justice | 4 |
| COMM 675 | Climate Ambassadors Practicum | 4 |
| ENVS 530 | Environmental Leadership and Organizing | 3 |
| ECON 550 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 570 | Applied Local Sustainability | 3 |
| ENVS 699 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| GEOG 425 | Economic Geography | 3 |
| GEOG/USP 432 | Urban Geography | 4 |
| GEOG/USP 433 | Urban Transportation | 4 |
| GEOG/ENVS 600 | Environmental Problems and Solutions | 3 |
| GEOG/USP 651 | San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues | 4 |
| GEOG/USP 652 | Environmental Impact Analysis | 4 |
| GEOG 666 | Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction | 3 |
| I R/ENVS 331 | Global Environmental Crisis | 4 |
| PHIL/PLSI 355 | Politics and Ethics of the Consumer Society | 3 |
| RPT 440 | Urban Recreation and Parks | 3 |
| SOC 380/USP 370 | Cities in a Global Society | 3 |
| USP 530 | Alternative Urban Futures | 3 |
Guided Elective Pathway 3: Humanities and the Environment
The Humanities and the Environment guided electives explore the varied and complex ways that different cultures—past and present—view and communicate about the environment. With an advisor, students choose coursework in disciplines dealing with verbal or visual communication, such as communication studies, creative writing, technical and professional writing, ethnic studies, journalism, photography, design, electronic media, and cinema.
Take 11-12 units. Two courses must be from the shortlist. Courses used to meet other requirements of the major cannot also be used to meet the Humanities and the Environment emphasis requirements.
Shortlist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BECA 502 | Environmental Communication on Electronic Media | 3 |
| ENG 535 | Literature and Ecology | 3 |
| JOUR 580 | Environmental Journalism | 3 |
| PHIL 470 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PLSI 354 | Politics, the Environment, and Social Change | 4 |
| WGS 593 | Gender, Health, and the Environment | 3 |
Longlist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CINE 344 | Film Genre | 3 |
| CST 300/PLSI 386 | Introduction to Critical Social Thought | 3 |
| COMM 572 | Communication and Environmental Justice | 4 |
| COMM 675 | Climate Ambassadors Practicum | 4 |
| ENVS 460 | Energy, Justice, and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENVS 480 | Climate Change Adaptation and Justice | 3 |
| ENVS 530 | Environmental Leadership and Organizing | 3 |
| HUM 380 | Nature and Human Values | 3 |
| HUM 450/AMST 410 | California Culture | 3 |
| I R/IBUS 334 | International Organizations: New World Order | 4 |
| PHIL/PLSI 150 | Contemporary Moral/Political Issues | 3 |
| PHIL 351 | Philosophy of Risk | 3 |
| PHIL/PLSI 355 | Politics and Ethics of the Consumer Society | 3 |
| PHIL 383 | Ethics in Medicine | 3 |
| SOC 477 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
General Education Requirements
| Requirement | Course Level | Units | Area Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Composition | LD | 3 | 1A |
| Critical Thinking | LD | 3 | 1B |
| Oral Communication | LD | 3 | 1C |
| Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning | LD | 3 | 2 |
| Arts | LD | 3 | 3A |
| Humanities | LD | 3 | 3B |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences* | LD | 6 | 4 |
| Physical Science | LD | 3 | 5A |
| Biological Science | LD | 3 | 5B |
| Laboratory | LD | 1 | 5C |
| Ethnic Studies | LD or UD | 3 | 6 |
| Science or Math/Quantitative Reasoning | UD | 3 | 5UD or 2UD |
| Arts or Humanities | UD | 3 | 3UD |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | UD | 3 | 4UD |
| *Students will fulfill USH through their Area 4 courses | |||
| SF State Studies | |||
| Courses certified as meeting the SF State Studies requirements may be upper or lower division in General Education (GE), a major or minor, or an elective. | |||
| American Ethnic and Racial Minorities | LD or UD | 3 | AERM |
| Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action | LD or UD | 3 | ESCA |
| Global Perspectives | LD or UD | 3 | GP |
| Social Justice | LD or UD | 3 | SJ |
| American Institutions | |||
| US and California Government | LD or UD | 3 | USG/CSLG |
Note: LD = Lower-Division; UD = Upper-Division.
First-Time Student Roadmap (4 Year)
The roadmaps presented in this Bulletin are intended as suggested plans of study and do not replace meeting with an advisor. For a more personalized roadmap, please use the Degree Planner tool found in your Student Center.
Transfer Student Roadmap (2 Year)
For students with an AS-T in Environmental Science.
ENVS ADT Roadmap.
General Advising Information for Transfer Students
- Before transfer, complete as many lower-division requirements or electives for this major as possible.
- The following courses are not required for admission but are required for graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to complete these units before transfer; doing so will provide more flexibility in course selection after transfer.
- a course in U.S. History
- a course in U.S. & California Government
For information about satisfying the requirements described in (1) and (2) above at a California Community College (CCC), please visit http://www.assist.org. Check any geographically accessible CCCs; sometimes, options include more than one college. Use ASSIST to determine:
- Which courses at a CCC satisfy any lower-division major requirements for this major;
- Which courses at a CCC satisfy CSU GE, US History, and US & CA Government requirements.
Remedial courses are not transferable and do not apply to the minimum 60 semester units/90 quarter units required for admission.
Additional units for courses that are repeated do not apply to the minimum 60 units required for upper-division transfer (for example, if a course was not passed on the first attempt or was taken to earn a better grade).
Before leaving the last California Community College of attendance, obtain a summary of completion of lower-division General Education units (IGETC or CSU GE Breadth). This is often referred to as a GE certification worksheet. SF State does not require delivery of this certification to Admissions, but students should retain this document for verifying degree progress after transfer.
Credit for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College-Level Examination Program courses: AP/IB/CLEP credit is not automatically transferred from the previous institution. Units are transferred only when an official score report is delivered to SF State. Credit is based on the academic year during which exams were taken. Refer to the University Bulletin in effect during the year of AP/IB/CLEP examination(s) for details regarding the award of credit for AP/IB/CLEP.
Students pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines often defer 6-9 units of lower-division General Education in Areas C and D until after transfer to focus on preparation courses for the major. This advice does not apply to students pursuing associate degree completion before transfer.
Transferring From Institutions Other Than CCCs or CSUs
Review SF State's lower-division General Education requirements. Note that, as described below, the four basic skills courses required for admission meet GE Areas 1A/A2, 1B/A3, 1C/A1, and 2/B4 in the SF State GE pattern. Courses that fulfill the remaining areas of SF State’s lower-division GE pattern are available at most two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
Of the four required basic skills courses, a course in critical thinking (1B/A3) may not be widely offered outside the CCC and CSU systems. Students should attempt to identify and take an appropriate course no later than the term of application to the CSU. To review more information about the 1B/A3 requirement, please visit bulletin.sfsu.edu/undergraduate-education/general-education/lower-division/#AAEL.
Waiting until after transfer to take a single course at SF State that meets both US and CA/local government requirements may be an appropriate option, particularly if transferring from outside of California.