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Environmental Studies (B.A. or B.S.)

Study environmental issues and prepare for a rewarding career solving environmental problems.

Solving today’s environmental problems demands a broad scope of knowledge and skills. At UND, you’ll study every area of environmental studies, including environmental science, community and urban development, geospatial technologies, sustainability, policy analysis and environmental planning.

Program Snapshot
Program type:
Major
Format:
On-campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

Why Study Environmental Studies ar UND?

The environmental challenges facing our planet today are larger than ever — and so are the rewards of a career spent saving the world.

As an Environmental Studies major at UND, you'll choose from two paths:

  • The Bachelor of Arts, a liberal arts degree with a strong focus on the social sciences and humanities.
  • The Bachelor of Science, which has a stronger focus on science as it relates to environmental issues.

In either program, you'll learn how to communicate effectively about environmental issues and how to make connections between the environment and policy. And you'll learn the fundamentals of environmental issues by exploring:

  • Chemistry and biology
  • Ecology and conservation
  • Geography and geographic information science
  • Policy and communication

Program Highlights

  • Conduct experiments and research problems on campus and across the northern Great Plains ecosystems.

  • Develop practical skills using the latest in industry and research software.

  • Learn how to assess physical settings and conduct laboratory analyses.

  • Explore diverse career paths through exposure to a variety of disciplinary areas.

Outcomes

 
69K
Median annual salary for environmental scientists and specialists*
11%
Projected job growth in environmental studies positions*

 

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

Environmental challenges face every business, agency and institution, giving you an endless array of career options. Some of the most popular career choices for Environmental Studies majors include:

  • Environmental scientist
  • Industrial ecologist
  • Environmental chemist
  • Conservation manager
  • Environmental restoration planner
  • Climate change analyst

The major also provides outstanding preparation for graduate study.

 

Courses You Could Take

 

ENRV 122. Foundations of Environmental Science. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the study of environmental dimensions of human activities, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies. The course integrates principles of natural science, social science, policy, and humanistic perspectives needed understand and solve environmental problems, and to communicate those problems, policy options, and solutions to various constituencies. S.

COMM 360. Communicating Science. 3 Credits.

This class is designed for upper-division students in the physical, biological, social, health and engineering sciences interested in science communication. It combines findings from research into information processing with best practices in media production to build student competency in communicating about science, scientific discoveries and the scientific process to general audiences through various media, as well as more specific audiences, such as funding organizations and policymakers. Students end the semester by producing a piece of science communication for a course-created website. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status (60+hours). F.

GEOG 274. Introduction to Geospatial Technologies. 3 Credits.

Students engage with a range of geospatial technologies to explore, analyze, and represent geographical phenomena and data through a series of field-based exercises. Students will learn about the types of societal problems that geospatial scientists are uniquely positioned to solve. Through guest speakers, readings, and discussions, they will learn about the knowledge and skills required to enter this rapidly-expanding career field and the courses in the geography curriculum that will help them to acquire these skills. F.

BIOL 332. General Ecology. 3 Credits.

An introduction to ecology. Covers the relationship of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems to their biotic and abiotic environments. Prerequisites: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, and BIOL 151L or an equivalent approved by the department. F.

ESSP 310. Sustainable Food Systems. 3 Credits.

This course will examine the need for development of sustainable food production systems. The course will introduce the concept of an integrated agro-ecosystem. Students will learn how food production systems work, how they impact natural ecosystems, how fragile the human food resource has become, and gain an appreciation of the complexity of relationships between humans and food. F, even years.

ENGL 227. Introduction to Literature and Culture. 3 Credits.

A course with alternating topics that asks students to read literary texts of a variety of genres. The course may emphasize form and texts from various historical periods as it introduces students to the pleasures of analyzing text and culture. Repeatable when topics vary. Repeatable. F,S.

Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the department?

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