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Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
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Home
Back to  Academics
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

With a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies degree from University of Redlands, you'll discover how human societies affect the natural world and how the environment, in turn, affects our quality of life.

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Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts

Program Types

Undergraduate

Mode of Study

On Campus

Department

Environmental Studies

School / College

College of Arts and Sciences

What is an environmental studies degree?

In the Environmental Studies program you will engage in a curriculum that includes the study of living systems, earth science, and environment-society relations, to examine the relationship between humans and the natural environment from a variety of perspectives. 

Why should you major in environmental studies at Redlands?

Through small class sizes, the Environmental Studies program at Redlands will immerse you in conservation and sustainability challenges, combining outdoor activities with practical solutions. You will have the opportunity to participate in community-based environmental justice events like the Climate Teach-In, explore environments through camping trips or by studying aboard, work on the Sustainable University of Redlands Farm (SURF), and join student-led organizations like Students for Environmental Action (SEA). As a student in the program, you will be provided with a robust network of professionals and skills in various areas, have the opportunity for paid summer internships and research, and the option to pursue advanced degrees post-program completion. 

Classes you'll take

To view specific classes, program requirements, and coursework information, visit the current university catalog.

Introductory Course

  • EVST 100  Introduction to Environmental Studies (4), or equivalent

Select 1 course from each of the following categories:

Environmental Social Science

  • EVST 241 Environment & Society

Earth Science

  • EVST 220 Physical Geography (4)
  • EVST 290 Environmental Geology (4)

Life Science

  • EVST 245 Marine Environmental Studies (4)
  • EVST 305  Ecology for Environmental Scientists (4)

Tools, Application & Methods: 2 Courses

  • EVST 235 Environmental Impact Assessment (4)
  • EVST 250 Environmental Design Studio I (4)
  • EVST 251 PanaMapping: Geodesign to Save the Rainforest
  • EVST 399 Research Methods & Design (4)
  • SPA 110 Introduction to Spatial Analysis & GIS (4)
  • POLI 200 Statistical Analysis and Mapping of Social Science Data (4)
  • MATH 111 Elementary Statistics with Applications (4)
  • MATH 231 Introduction to Modeling (4)

Experiential learning (practicum) take 0 credits. Complete one of the following:

  • Environmental Study Abroad
  • Environmental internship

  • Environmental travel course

  • Approved environmental community service activity
  • Environmental Studies Elective: 1 Course
  • Choose from EVST courses numbered 200 and above

Advanced Environmental Studies Elective: 4 Courses

Please note, at least 3 courses must be selected from the Natural Sciences Electives list and at least 3 of the 4 must be taken within EVST. Courses toward Core may not be double counted to meet elective studies requirements.

Social Science Electives

  • EVST 210 Energy and the Environment
  • EVST 215 Literature of American Environment (4)
  • EVST 242 Food & Nature (4)
  • EVST 248 Introduction to Sustainable Business (4)
  • EVST 276 Market-Based Conservation Policy (4)
  • EVST 277 Environmental Justice (3-4)
  • EVST 300 Environmental World Views (4)
  • EVST 310 Environmental Law (4)
  • EVST 311 Environmental Law in Action (3)
  • EVST 315 Environmental Nonfiction (4)
  • EVST 325 Public Lands Policy (4)
  • EVST 335 Environment and Development (4)
  • EVST 340 Green Business (4)
  • EVST 347 Innovation for Sustainability (4)
  • EVST 348 Advanced Sustainable Business
  • EVST 351 PanaMapping: GIS in the Jungle (3)
  • EVST 451 PanaMapping: GIS to Conserve the Rainforest (3)
  • ACCT 210 Principles of Financial Accounting and Reporting (4)
  • BUS 136 Global Marketing (4)
  • BUS 310 Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior (4)
  • ECON 205 Ecological Economics (4)
  • PHIL 211 Environmental Ethics (4)
  • PLCY 100 Introduction to Public Policy Analysis (4)
  • POLI 207 Environmental Politics and Policy (4)
  • REL 122 Religion and Ecology: Environmental Ethics (4)
  • SPA 210 Advanced GIS (4)
  • SPA 230 Field Methods GIS (3)

Natural Science Electives

  • EVST 205 Great Environmental Disasters (4)
  • EVST 225 California Plants (4)
  • EVST 230 Biodiversity (4)
  • EVST 250 Environmental Design Studio I (4)
  • EVST 254 Climate Disruption (4)
  • EVST 255 Ornithology (4)
  • EVST 281 The Palau Expedition: Explorations in Sustainable Development (3)
  • EVST 350 Environmental Design Studio II (3-4)
  • EVST 355 The Ecology of Australia and New Zealand (3)
  • EVST 375 Tropical Rainforests: the Amazon, the Andes and the Inca (3)
  • EVST 391 Environmental Hydrology (4)
  • EVST 392 Oceanography (4)
  • EVST 430 Advanced Geology Seminar (4)

Senior Seminar & Capstone: 4-8 Credits

  • EVST 473 Senior Seminar
  • EVST 475 Senior Capstone (optional)

Why should you minor in environmental studies at Redlands?

The Environmental Studies minor offers you a strong understanding of the subject through 24 credits minimum in these environmental studies-related courses.

Introductory Course

EVST 100  Introduction to Environmental Studies (4), or equivalent

Select 1 course from the following categories:

Environmental Social Science

EVST 241 Environment & Society

Earth Science

EVST 220 Physical Geography (4)
EVST 290 Environmental Geology (4)

Life Science

EVST 245 Marine Environmental Studies (4)
EVST 305 Ecology for Environmental Scientists (4)

Tools, Application & Methods: 1 Course

  • EVST 235 Environmental Impact Assessment (4)
  • EVST 250 Environmental Design Studio I (4)
  • EVST 251 PanaMapping: Geodesign to Save the Rainforest
  • EVST 399 Research Methods & Design (4)
  • SPA 110 Introduction to Spatial Analysis & GIS (4)
  • POLI 200 Statistical Analysis and Mapping of Social Science Data (4)
  • MATH 111 Elementary Statistics with Applications (4)
  • MATH 231 Introduction to Modeling (4)

Environmental Studies Elective: 1 Course
Choose from EVST courses numbered 200 and above

Environmental GIS Minor

The Environmental Geographic Information Science (GIS) minor, strategically designed to equip majors in Environmental Studies with specialized GIS competencies, is specifically tailored to enhance your expertise in environmental applications and scientific inquiry.

Core Courses

Complete ALL of the following courses:

  • GIS 110 Introduction to Spatial Analysis & GIS (4)
  • GIS 210 Advanced Spatial Analysis & GIS (4)

Advanced Methods Courses

Complete at least 2 of the following courses:

* GIS 325 and GIS 326 or GIS 425 recommended

  • GIS 167 Introduction to Python Programming (4)
  • DATA 101 Introduction to Data Science (4)
  • GIS 325 Spatial Data Acquisition & Representation (4)*
  • GIS 326 Cartography & Geovisualization (4)*
  • GIS 361 Advanced Topics in GIS (4)
  • GIS 362 Spatial DBMS (4)
  • GIS 353 Advanced Data Analysis with Python (4)
  • GIS 368 Advanced Cartography & Geovis (4)
  • GIS 369 Web GIS Applications (4)
  • GIS 425 Remote Sensing Image Analysis (4)*
  • GIS 455 Geospatial Analysis (4)
  • GIS 467 Introduction to Programming for GIS (4)
  • GIS 475 GIS Senior Seminar (4)
  • MATH 233 Introduction to Machine Learning (4)

Environmental Elective Courses

Complete at least 2 of the following courses:

* EVST 250 or EVST 350 recommended

  • BIOL 111 Introduction to Marine Biology (4)
  • CHEM 290 Mile High Chemistry: Field Experience in Environmental Chemistry (3)
  • CHEM 311 Environmental Chemistry Field Experience: Environmental Modeling (3)
  • EVST 213 Environmental Justice (4)
  • EVST 233 Environmental Geology (4)
  • EVST 250 Environmental Design Studio I (4)*
  • EVST 283 Mapping Animals (4)
  • EVST 323 Great Environmental Disasters (4)
  • EVST 333 Oceanography (4)
  • EVST 334 Environmental Hydrology (4)
  • EVST 343 Biodiversity (4)
  • EVST 350 Environmental Design Studio II (4)*
  • EVST 351 Panamapping: Geodesign to Conserve the Rainforest (3)
  • EVST 430 Advanced Geology Seminar (4)
  • EVST 433 Climate Science (4)
Undergraduate application deadlines
Fall 2025 - First Year
November 15, 2024 - Early Action
Fall 2025 - First Year
January 15, 2025 - Regular Decision*
Fall 2025 - Transfer
March 1, 2025 - Regular Decision*
Note
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the deadline based on capacity.
Apply Now

What you'll learn

Integrate social and environmental science to critically evaluate complex environmental problems or opportunities, emphasizing social sciences, ethical dimensions, and/or the humanities.
Use appropriate tools to analyze and communicate environmental problems or opportunities.
Apply interdisciplinary environmental learning to a specialization in Environmental Studies.

What you'll learn

Media card - summer science research student in wilderness

Graduates pursue careers in

Investigating environmental issues and developing solutions to protect natural resources.
Advising businesses and organizations on sustainable practices to minimize their environmental footprint.
Working to preserve natural habitats and protect wildlife through research and advocacy.
Analyzing and developing policies to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability.

Graduates pursue careers in

Mutiple media - graduating student athletes
100 %

of University of Redlands B.A. in Environmental Science graduates have successful outcomes within six months of graduation.

First Year Destination Survey, 2023

$ 67 k

average salary for environmental studies occupations in 2024.

Market research from PayScale and Zip Recruiter

9 out of 10 ( 91 %)

Alumni shared they gained critical thinking skills from their degree.

NACM Alumni Career Mobility, 2022

Top 10

Best Universities in the West

U.S. News & World Report, 2023

Featured faculty

Every Redlands faculty member is an active practitioner in their field. The classes they teach emerge from their unique research and practices, and they’re passionate about what they’re sharing.

Want to know more?

Get in touch with our admissions team.

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