Environmental Studies
College of Health and Social Sciences
Interim Dean: Alvin Alvarez
School of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement
Director: Elizabeth Brown
Environmental Studies Program
HSS 210
Phone: 415-338-1149
Website: envs.sfsu.edu
Faculty
Professor: Davidson
Assistant Professor: Fieldman
Lecturer: Plater
Associated Faculty: Barbosa, Boyer, Chattopadhyay, Chitewere, Davis, DeWitt, Gen, Grove, Gurdak, Hafernik, Henderson, Hennessy, Holzman, Kassiola, King, Komada, LeBuhn, Manning, McAfee, Nanus, Nelson, Oliphant, Palmer, Parker, Paton, Pinderhughes, Reist, Roberts, Silverman, Sklar, Wilkinson
Programs
B.S. in Environmental Studies
Concentration in:
Program Scope
The School of Public Affairs Environmental Studies Program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Earth System Science, and a concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation. Students in the bachelor of arts program have three emphases from which to choose: Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice, Humanities and the Environment, and The Urban Environment.
The objective of the program is to produce exceptional graduates who are grounded in the study of contemporary environmental problems and solutions. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills required for understanding relationships between humans and the physical world. It 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 community engagement and preparation for future environmental careers.
Career Outlook
Environmental Studies is a diverse field and includes 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. Other employment opportunities include government agency level resource scientists, natural resource managers, and planners. In addition, local nonprofit activist groups provide a small number of full-time positions in the environmental field.
Major Requirements
- Environmental Studies majors who successfully complete ENVS 450 GW in fall 2009 or thereafter will have satisfied the University Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
- Environmental Studies majors must complete ENVS 300 and ENVS 450 GW with a grade of C or better to continue in the major.
Complementary Studies
Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least twelve units of complementary studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. (Note: Students may not use an alternate prefix that is cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major.)
Students who complete two majors or a major and a minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement. Additional ways for students in the environmental studies B.A. program to satisfy the requirement is with one or more languages other than English; partial completion of a minor; partial completion of certificate; or a coherent group of courses approved by a major advisor as complementary to the major.
All complementary studies units must be approved by an advisor and all of the units must be separate from the units used to satisfy major requirements. Courses that fulfill complementary studies units may be lower or upper division units, resident or transfer units, or units taken in approved study abroad programs.
The Environmental Studies Program is impacted. Current students who wish to change their major to Environmental Studies should visit the department office for admission requirements and procedures. See the Environmental Studies website for more information: http://envs.sfsu.edu/prospective.
General Education requirements met in the Environmental Studies major or Undeclared with Interest in Environmental Studies:
The requirements below are deemed “met in the major” upon completion of the courses listed (even though the courses and their prerequisites are not approved for GE). This is true whether or not the student completes the major. All other requirements must be completed as outlined in the General Education section of the Bulletin.
- Area B1 (Physical Science) is satisfied upon completion of both CHEM 115 and CHEM 380.
- Areas B2 (Life Science) and B3 (Laboratory Science) are satisfied upon completion of either BIOL 240 or BIOL 313.
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies (B.A.)
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Core (18 - 20 units)
- ENVS 300 Introduction to Environmental Studies
- CHEM 115 General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry (5)
- CHEM 380/ Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution
- ENVS 380 Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution
- ENVS 450 GW Environmental Law and Policy - GWAR
- ENVS 680 Environmental Studies Internship (1 - 3)
- ENVS 690 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies
Electives (16 - 18 units)
Select one course from each category: 16 - 18 units
Physical Environment
- GEOG 101 Our Physical Environment
- GEOL 270 Environmental Geology
Sustainability and Social Justice
- ENVS 306/ Economics and the Environment
- ECON 306 Economics and the Environment
- ENVS 570 Campus Sustainability
- PHIL 470 Environmental Ethics
- USP 514 Sustainable Development in Cities (4)
- USP 515/ Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
- GEOG 667 Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
Global/International
- ENVS 470 Climate Politics and Policy
- I R 331/ Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- ENVS 331 Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- I R 428 International Political Economy of Food and Hunger (4)
Ecology
- BIOL 313 Principles of Ecology
Research Methods
- ENVS 224 Research Methods for Environmental Studies (4)
Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice Emphasis (11 - 12 units)
The environmental sustainability and social justice emphasis provides 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 short list. Courses used to meet other requirements of the major cannot also be used to meet the environmental sustainability and social justice emphasis requirements.
Short List
- ENVS 470 Climate Politics & Policy
- ENVS 570 Campus Sustainability
- GEOG 421 Future Environments
- PLSI 354 Politics, the Environment, and Social Change (4)
-
USP 514 Sustainable Development in Cities (4)
(if not taken in core) - USP 515/ Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
- GEOG 667 Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
Long List
- AIS 310 American Indian Religion and Philosophy
- BECA 502 Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media
- BIOL 349 Bioethics
- BUS 450 The Greening of Business
- CINE 344 Ecology and Film
- CST 300/ Introduction to Critical Social Thought
- PLSI 386 Introduction to Critical Social Thought
- GEOG 425 Economic Geography (4)
- ECON 550 Environmental Economics
- ECON 620 Economic Development
- ENGR 220 Energy: Resources, Alternatives, and Conservation
- ENVS 306/ Economics and the Environment
- ECON 306 Economics and the Environment
- I R 331/ Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- ENVS 331 Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- GEOG 422 Environmental Perception
- GEOG 427 Agriculture and Food Supply (4)
- GEOG 600/ Environmental Problems and Solutions [ES][GP]
- ENVS 600 Environmental Problems and Solutions [ES][GP]
- GEOG 647 Geography of Water Resources (4)
- GEOG 652/ Environmental Impact Analysis
- USP 652 Environmental Impact Analysis
- GEOG 666 Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction
- GPS 315/ Introduction to Global Peace Studies
- I R 315/ Introduction to Global Peace Studies
- PHIL 315 Introduction to Global Peace Studies
- H ED 655 Environmental Health
- HIST 476 American Environmental History
- I R 334 International Organizations: New World Order (4)
- I R 520 Modernization and Third World Countries (4)
- LS 460 Childhood, Nature, and Society*
- LS 681 Community Service Learning in the Schools*
- PHIL 365 Science and Civilization
- PHIL 470 Environmental Ethics
- SOC 410/ Grassroots Organizing for Change in Communities of Color
- RRS 410 Grassroots Organizing for Change in Communities of Color
- SOC 477 Environmental Sociology (4)
- SOC 483 Global Sociology (4)
- TPW 490 Grant Writing
- USP 456/ Urban Community Organizing and Citizen Action
- S W 456 Urban Community Organizing and Citizen Action
* Note: students may take one of either LS 460 (formerly S S 460) or LS 681(formerly S S 681) but not both
The Urban Environment Emphasis (11 - 12 units)
The urban environment emphasis provides 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 short list. Courses used to meet other requirements of the major cannot also be used to meet the the urban environment emphasis requirements.
Short List
- GEOG 433/ Urban Transportation (4)
- USP 433 Urban Transportation (4)
- GEOG 652/ Environmental Impact Analysis
- USP 652 Environmental Impact Analysis
- GEOG 658/ Land Use Planning (4)
- USP 658 Land Use Planning (4)
- USP 514 Sustainable Development in Cities (4)
- USP 515/ Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
- GEOG 667 Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
Long List
- BUS 450 The Greening of Business
- ECON 550 Environmental Economics
- ENGR 220 Energy: Resources, Alternatives, and Conservation
- ENVS 224 Research Methods for Environmental Studies (4)
- ECON 535/ Urban Economics
- USP 535 Urban Economics
- ENVS 306/ Economics and the Environment
- ECON 306 Economics and the Environment
- ENVS 570 Campus Sustainability
- ENVS 699 Independent Study
- GEOG 425 Economic Geography (4)
- GEOG 432/ Urban Geography (4)
- USP 432 Urban Geography (4)
- GEOG 433/ Urban Transportation (4)
- USP 433 Urban Transportation (4)
- GEOG 600/ Environmental Problems and Solutions [ES][GP]
- ENVS 600 Environmental Problems and Solutions [ES][GP]
- GEOG 651/ San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues (4)
- USP 651 San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues (4)
- GEOG 652/ Environmental Impact Analysis
- USP 652 Environmental Impact Analysis
- GEOG 666 The Geography of Garbage
- H ED 655 Environmental Health
- I R 331/ Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- ENVS 331 Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- RPT 440 Urban Recreation and Leisure Services
- SOC 480/ City in a Global Society (4)
- USP 470 City in a Global Society (4)
- USP 530 Alternative Urban Futures
Humanities and the Environment Emphasis (11 - 12 units)
The humanities and the environment emphasis explores 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 short list. Courses used to meet other requirements of the major cannot also be used to meet the humanities and the environment emphasis requirements.
Short List
- BECA 502 Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media (if not taken in the core)
- ENG 535 Literature and Ecology (if not taken in the core)
- PHIL 470 Environmental Ethics (if not taken in the core)
- PHIL 470 Environmental Ethics
- PLSI 354 Politics, the Environment, and Social Change
- WGS 593 Gender, Health, and the Environment
Long List
- ANTH 321 Endangered Cultures
- CINE 344 Ecology and Film
- CINE 527/ Documentary of Social Justice and Health
- H ED 527 Documentary of Social Justice and Health
- CST 300/ Introduction to Critical Social Thought
- PLSI 386 Introduction to Critical Social Thought
- COMM 448 GW The Rhetoric of Ecology - GWAR
- HIST 476 American Environmental History
- HUM 450/ California Culture
- AMST 410 California Culture
- HUM 380 Nature and Human Values
- I R 334 International Organizations: New World Order (4)
- I R 520 Globalization and Development (4)
- LTNS 450 Indigenismo: Indigenous Cultures of the Americas
- LS 460 Childhood, Nature, and Society*
- LS 681/ Community Service Learning in the Schools*
- HIST 681 Community Service Learning in the Schools*
- PHIL 150/ Contemporary Moral and Political Issues
- PLSI 150 Contemporary Moral and Political Issues
- PHIL 351 Philosophy of Risk
- PHIL 365 Science and Civilization
- PHIL 383 Ethics in Medicine
- SOC 477 Environmental Sociology (4)
* Note: students may take one of either LS 460 (formerly S S 460) or LS 681(formerly S S 681) but not both
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies (B.S.) — 75 - 86 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements (21 - 23 units)
- ENVS 300 Introduction to Environmental Studies
- CHEM 115 General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry (5)
- CHEM 380/ Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution
- ENVS 380 Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution
- ENVS 450 GW Environmental Law and Policy - GWAR
- GEOG 600/ Environmental Problems and Solutions [ES][GP]
- ENVS 600 Environmental Problems and Solutions [ES][GP]
- ENVS 680 Internship (1 - 3)
- ENVS 690 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies
Core Electives (15 - 24 units)
Select one course from each category:
Physical Environment
- GEOG 101 Our Physical Environment
- GEOL 270 Environmental Geology
Human Environment
- GEOG 102 The Human Environment
- ANTH 120 Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology
- ENVS 306/ Economics and the Environment
- ECON 306 Economics and the Environment
Environmental Justice/Urban Issues
- ANTH 321 Endangered Cultures
- LTNS 450 Indigenismo: Indigenous Cultures of the Americas
- USP 514 Sustainable Development in Cities (4)
- USP 515/ Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
- GEOG 667 Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4)
Ecology
(Natural Resource Management and Conservation majors take BIOL 230 and BIOL 240. Earth System Science majors take BIOL 313.)
-
BIOL 230 Introductory Biology I (5)
and
BIOL 240 Introductory Biology II (5)
or
BIOL 313 Principles of Ecology
Human Values and Environmental Ethics
- BECA 502 Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media
- ENG 535 Literature and Ecology
- PHIL 470 Environmental Ethics
- PLSI 354 Politics, the Environment, and Social Change (4)
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies: Concentration in Earth System Science
The Earth System Science concentration is for students interested in studying the environment through the physical sciences of chemistry, geology, hydrology, meteorology, and oceanography. This program provides students with a rigorous background in both quantitative and qualitative problem-solving techniques and aims to produce graduates who can understand our planet as an integrated system. Required courses provide basic knowledge in chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, and environmental regulation. Students choose an emphasis in chemical analysis, climate systems, coastal systems, hydrologic systems, or surficial processes (e.g., soils and watersheds), in consultation with an advisor.
Environmental Studies (B.S.): Concentration in Earth System Science — 75 - 88 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements (36 - 40 units)
(see above)
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning this concentration.
Concentration Requirements (22 - 23 units)
-
CHEM 215 General Chemistry II:
Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts
or other chemistry course (see advisor). - GEOG 652/ Environmental Impact Analysis
-
USP 652 Environmental Impact Analysis
or
GEOL 110 Physical Geology (4) - MATH 226 Calculus I (4)
-
MATH 124 Elementary Statistics
or
MATH 227 Calculus II (4)
or
BIOL 458 Biometry (4) - PHYS 111/ General Physics I
- PHYS 112 General Physics I Laboratory (1)
- PHYS 121/ General Physics II
- PHYS 122 General Physics II/Laboratory (1)
Elective Courses (17 - 25 units)
Choose courses from one emphasis from the elective list for the concentration in earth system science and meet with a faculty advisor to plan the course sequence. Other courses, including independent study classes (e.g., BIOL, CHEM, or GEOL 699) may be substituted upon advisement.
Chemical Analysis (17 units)
- CHEM 216 General Chemistry II Laboratory: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts (2)
- CHEM 233/ Organic Chemistry I (formerly CHEM 333)
- CHEM 234 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2) (formerly CHEM 334)
- CHEM 321 Quantitative Chemical Analysis (4)
-
CHEM 420 Environmental Analysis
or
ENGR 434 Principles of Environmental Engineering
or
GEOL 476 Groundwater Contamination - CHEM 422 Instrumental Analysis (4)
Climate System (23 - 25 units)
- ENVS 470 Climate Politics and Policy
-
GEOG 610 Remote Sensing I (4)
or
METR 415 Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean
or
METR 470/ Meteorological and Oceanic Observing Techniques and Systems (2) - OCN 470/ Meteorological and Oceanic Observing Techniques and Systems (2)
- GEOG 607 Meteorological and Oceanic Observing Techniques and Systems (2)
- OCN 405/ Planetary Climate Change (4)
- METR 405/ Planetary Climate Change (4)
-
GEOL 405 Planetary Climate Change (4)
or
GEOG 313 Earth's Climate System (4) -
GEOG 312 Geography of Landforms
or
GEOL 450 Geomorphology (4) - METR 201 Physical Processes in the Atmosphere
- OCN 200 Physical Processes in the Ocean
Coastal System (16 - 18 units)
-
BIOL 534 Wetlands Ecology (4)
or
BIOL 585 Marine Ecology -
GEOG 313 Earth's Climate System
or
GEOL 405/ Planetary Climate Change (4) - METR 405/ Planetary Climate Change (4)
- OCN 405 Planetary Climate Change (4)
-
GEOG 610 Remote Sensing I (4)
or
METR 415 Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean -
OCN 410 Coastal Processes
or
OCN 420 Physical Oceanography - OCN 200 Physical Processes in the Ocean
Hydrologic System (18 units)
- CHEM 216 General Chemistry II Laboratory: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts (2)
-
GEOG 313 Earth's Climate System
or
OCN 405/ Planetary Climate Change (4) - GEOL 405/ Planetary Climate Change (4)
- METR 405 Planetary Climate Change (4)
- GEOG 642/ Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4)
-
GEOL 642 Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4)
or
GEOL 450 Geomorphology (4)
or
GEOG 312 Geography of Landforms (4) - GEOG 647 Geography of Water Resources (4)
- GEOL 475 Hydrogeology (4)
Surficial Processes (18 - 19 units)
-
GEOG 312 Geography of Landforms
or
GEOL 450 Geomorphology (4) -
GEOG 317 Geography of Soils (4)
or
GEOL 454 Quaternary Climate and Soils - GEOG 603 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
- GEOG 621 Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Analysis (4)
- GEOG 642/ Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4)
- GEOL 642 Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4)
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies: Concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation
The concentration in Natural Resource Management provides students with the theoretical and applied knowledge and skills in ecology, conservation biology, and natural resources they need to address natural resource management and conservation issues. Required courses provide knowledge in ecology, conservation biology, statistics, and natural resource management and provide students with a solid background in both quantitative and qualitative problem-solving techniques. Students choose additional coursework in ecology, biodiversity studies, applied methods, and management of specific resources.
Environmental Studies (B.S.): Concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation — 77 - 86 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Core requirements (43 - 47 units)
(see above)
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning courses in this concentration.
Natural Resources Management and Conservation Concentration (14 - 15 units)
- BIOL 458 Biometry (4)
- BIOL 530 Conservation Biology
-
GEOG 603 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
or
GEOG 652/ Environmental Impact Analysis (4) - USP 652 (if not taken in the concentration requirements)
- GEOG 657/ Natural Resource Management: Biotic Resources (4)
- ENVS 657 Natural Resource Management: Biotic Resources (4)
Elective Courses (20 - 24)
Students must consult with a faculty advisor prior to selection of elective courses in order to determine which courses are most appropriate for the student’s particular program. Choose courses from the elective list for the concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation. At least one course from each of the themes must be included. Within each theme other courses may be selected on advisement.
Natural Resource Management and Conservation Choose at least one course from each of the themes. Within each theme other courses may be selected on advisement.
Ecology
- BIOL 482 Ecology (4)
- BIOL 529 GW Plant Ecology - GWAR (4)
- BIOL 532 Restoration Ecology
- BIOL 582 Biological Oceanography (4)
- BIOL 585/ Marine Ecology/li>
Biodiversity
- BIOL 585/ Marine Ecology (4)
- BIOL 470 Natural History of Vertebrates (4)
- BIOL 475 GW Herpetology - GWAR
- BIOL 478 Ornithology (4)
- BIOL 504 Biology of the Fungi (4)
- BIOL 514 Plant Taxonomy (5)
- BIOL 570 GW Biology of Fishes - GWAR (4)
- GEOG 316 Biogeography (4)
Resources
- GEOG 317 Geography of Soils (4)
- GEOG 427 Agriculture and Food Supply (4)
- GEOG 646 The Geography of Marine Resources (4)
- GEOG 647 Geography of Water Resources (4)
- GEOG 666 Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction
- RPT 640/ Recreational Use of National Parks and Protected Resources
- ENVS 640 Recreational Use of National Parks and Protected Resources
Applied Methodology/Techniques
- GEOG 602 Field Methods in Physical Geography (4)
-
GEOG 610 Remote Sensing I (4)
or
GEOG 611 Remote Sensing of the Environment II (4) - GEOG 621 GIS for Environmental Analysis (4)
- GEOG 642/ Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4)
- GEOL 642 Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4)
- GEOG 652/ Environmental Impact Analysis (4)
- USP 652 (if not taken in the concentration requirements)
- GEOG 658/ Land Use Planning (4)
- USP 658 Land Use Planning (4)
- GEOL 475 Hydrogeology (4)
Additional Electives
Courses from any of the above categories may be selected, as well as any of the courses below.
- BECA 502 Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media
- BUS 450 Greening of Business
- ENVS 470 Climate Politics and Policy
- ENVS 570 Campus Sustainability
- ENVS 306/ Economics and the Environment
- ECON 306 Economics and the Environment
- GEOG 425 Economic Geography (4)
- GEOG 422 Environmental Perception
- GEOG 606 Cartography (4)
- GEOL 450 Geomorphology (4)
- GEOL 476 Groundwater Contamination
- I R 331/ Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- ENVS 331 Global Environmental Crisis (4)
- OCN 410 Coastal Processes
- PLSI 354 Politics, the Environment, and Social Change (4)
- ENVS 699 Independent Study
- GEOG 699 Independent Study
- BIOL 699 Independent Study in Biology
