Environmental Studies
College of Health and Social Sciences
Dean: Don Taylor
School of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement
Director: Gerald Eisman
Environmental Studies Program
HSS 336
Phone: 415-338-1149
Website: envs.sfsu.edu
Professors: Davidson, Holzmen
Assistant Professor: Fieldman
Lecturers: Plater, Vassey
Associated Faculty: Barbosa, Boyer, Chitewere, Davis, DeWitt, Gen, Grove, Gurdak, Hafernik, Henderson, Hennessy, Hines, Kassiola, King, Komada, Kooser, LeBuhn, Manning, McAfee, Nanus, Nelson, Oliphant, Palmer, Parker, Pinderhughes, Reist, Roberts, Silverman, Sklar, Wilkinson
Programs
B.A. in Environmental Studies
Concentration in:
B.S. in Environmental Studies
Concentration in:
Program Scope
The Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies are interdisciplinary degrees for students interested in studying and working within the environmental field. The objective of the program is to produce exceptional graduates who are grounded in the study of contemporary environmental problems and solutions that transcend the existing academic disciplines and programs at San Francisco State University. 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.
The major consists of a core group of required courses for all students, and five areas of concentration (three under the B.A., and two under the B.S.) from which the student will choose one.
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.
Environmental Studies Core Curriculum
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
Environmental Studies majors who successfully complete ENVS 450 GW in fall 2009 or thereafter will have satisfied the University Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Students who wish to change their major to Environmental Studies must first complete ENVS 300 with a grade of C or better.
The Environmental Studies Program is impacted. Students who wish to change their major to Environmental Studies must apply for fall admission to the major. See the Environmental Studies website for more information: http://envs.sfsu.edu.
Environmental Studies majors must complete ENVS 300 and ENVS 450 GW with a grade of C or better to continue in the major.
The core curriculum for both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science is the same.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Core Curriculum
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS 300 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry | 5 |
| ENVS 380/ CHEM 380 |
Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution | 3 |
| ENVS 450 GW | Environmental Law and Policy - GWAR | 3 |
| ENVS 600/ GEOG 600 |
Environmental Problems and Solutions | 3 |
| ENVS 680 | Internship | 1 - 3 |
| ENVS 690 | Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies | 3 |
Select one class from each category:
Physical Environment (3 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 101 | Our Physical Environment |
| GEOL 270 | Environmental Geology |
Human Environment (3 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 102 | The Human Environment |
| ANTH 120 | Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology |
| ENVS 306/ ECON 306 |
Economics and the Environment |
Environmental Justice/Urban Issues (3 - 4 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ANTH 321 | Endangered Cultures |
| LTNS 450 | Indigenismo: Indigenous Cultures of the Americas |
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities (4) |
| USP 515 | Race, Poverty, and the Urban Environment (4) |
Ecology (3 - 10 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 230 and BIOL 240 or BIOL 313 |
Introductory Biology I (5) Introductory Biology II (5)* Principles of Ecology |
* BIOL 230 and BIOL 240 are required in the B.S. Natural Resources, Management and Conservation concentration.
Human Values and Environmental Ethics (3 - 4 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| 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) |
Total for Core: 36 - 47
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies: Concentration in Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice
The Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice concentration 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 adviser, 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.
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning courses in this concentration.
Program
Core requirements (see above): 36 - 47 units
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 421 | Future Environments | 3 |
| If not taken as part of the core, the following courses are required for this concentration: | ||
| PLSI 354 | Politics, the Environment, and Social Change (if not taken in core) |
0 or 4 |
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities (if not taken in core) |
0 or 4 |
Elective Courses (15 units)
With advisement choose 15 units of electives.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| AIS 310 | American Indian Religion and Philosophy |
| BECA 390 | The Age of Information |
| BECA 502 | Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media |
| BIOL 349 | Bioethics |
| BUS 450 | The Greening of Business |
| CINE 344 | Ecology and Film |
| CST 300/ PLSI 386 |
Introduction to Critical Social Thought |
| ECON 306/ ENVS 306 |
Economics and the Environment |
| ECON 425/ GEOG 425 |
Economic Geography (4) |
| ECON 550 | Environmental Economics |
| ECON 620 | Economic Development |
| ENVS 224 | Research Methods for Environmental Studies (4) |
| ENVS 331/ IR 331 |
Global Environmental Crisis: Challenges and Responses (4) |
| ENVS 470 | Climate Politics and Policy |
| ENVS 570 | Campus Sustainability |
| GEOG 422 | Environmental Perception |
| GEOG 427 | Agriculture and Food Supply (4) |
| GEOG 647 | Geography of Water Resources (4) |
| GEOG 666 | Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction |
| GPS 315/ IR 315/ PHIL 315 |
Introduction to Global Peace Studies |
| H ED 655 | Environmental Health |
| HIST 476 | American Environmental History |
| IR 334 | International Organizations: New World Order (4) |
| IR 520/ S S 520 |
Modernization and Third World Countries (4) |
| LS 460 | Childhood, Nature, and Society* |
| PHIL 150/ PLSI 150 |
Contemporary Moral/Political Issues |
| PHIL 365 | Science and Civilization |
| PHIL 470 | Environmental Ethics |
| SOC 410/ RRS 410 |
Grassroots Organizing for Change in Communities of Color |
| SOC 471 | Societal Change and Development (4) |
| SOC 477 | Environmental Sociology (4) |
| SOC 483 | Global Sociology (4) |
| S S 681 | Community Service Learning in the Schools* |
| TPW 490 | Grant Writing |
| USP 456/ H ED 456/ S W 456 |
Urban Community Organizing and Citizen Action |
| WGS 541 | Women Writers and Social Change |
| WGS 578 | Women, Globalization and Ecology |
| WGS 621 | Feminist Theory |
Total for concentration: 18 - 26
Total for Major: 54 - 73
* Note: students may take one of either LS 460 (formerly S S 460) or S S 681 but not both
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies: Concentration in The Urban Environment
The Urban Environment concentration provides students with a strong interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical understanding for dealing with environmental issues in urban settings. With the help of an adviser, 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.
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning this concentration.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Program
Core requirements (see above): 36 - 47
Concentration Requirements
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG 658/ USP 658 |
Land Use Planning | 4 |
| If not taken as part of the core, the following courses are required for this concentration: | ||
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities (if not taken in the core) |
0 or 4 |
| USP 515 | Race, Poverty, and the Urban Environment (if not taken in the core) |
0 or 4 |
Elective Courses (9 - 12 units)
With advisement choose from the following.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BUS 450 | The Greening of Business |
| ECON 306/ ENVS 306 |
Economics and the Environment |
| ECON 425/ GEOG 425 |
Economic Geography (4) |
| ECON 550 | Environmental Economics |
| ENVS 224 | Research Methods for Environmental Studies (4) |
| ENVS 331/ IR 331 |
Global Environmental Crises: Challenges and Responses (4) |
| ENVS 570 | Campus Sustainability |
| ENVS 699 | Independent Study |
| H ED 655 | Environmental Health |
| GEOG 432/ USP 432 |
Urban Geography (4) |
| GEOG 433/ USP 433 |
Urban Transportation (4) |
| GEOG 651/ USP 651 |
San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues (4) |
| GEOG 652/ USP 652 |
Environmental Impact Analysis (4) |
| GEOG 666 | The Geography of Garbage |
| LS 460 | Childhood, Nature, and Society* |
| RPT 440 | Urban Recreation and Leisure Services |
| SOC 480/ USP 470 |
City in a Global Society (4) |
| S S 681 | Community Service Learning in Schools* |
| USP 530 | Alternative Urban Futures |
| USP 535/ ECON 535 |
Urban Economics |
| USP 660/ S W 660 |
The Roles of Non-profit Organizations in Urban Life |
| USP 686 | Fieldwork in Urban Studies |
Total for concentration: 13 - 24
Total for Major: 49 - 71
* Note students may take one of either LS 460 (formerly S S 460) or S S 681 but not both
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies: Concentration in Humanities and the Environment
The Humanities and the Environment concentration explores the varied and complex ways that different cultures—past and present—view and communicate about the environment. With an adviser, 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.
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning this concentration.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Program
Core requirements (see above): 36 - 47
Ways of Viewing the Environment
Chose one course from the following:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BECA 502 | Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media (if not taken in the core) | 0 or 3 |
| ENG 535 | Literature and Ecology (if not taken in the core) | |
| PHIL 470 | Environmental Ethics (if not taken in the core) |
Elective Courses (6 - 9 units)
With advisement selected from the following:
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| AIS 450 | American Indian Science |
| AMST 410/ HUM 450 |
California Culture |
| ANTH 557/ USP 557 |
Ethnography of the Inner City (4) |
| BECA 502 | Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media |
| CINE 344 | Ecology and Film |
| ENG 514 | Age of the Romantics |
| ENVS 224 | Research Methods for Environmental Studies (4) |
| GEOG 421 | Future Environments |
| GEOG 422 | Environmental Perception |
| GEOG 651/ USP 651 |
San Francisco Bay Area Environmental Issues (4) |
| H ED 655 | Environmental Health |
| HH 382 | Holistic Health: Human Nature and Global Perspectives |
| HH 383 | Chinese Perspectives in Holistic Health |
| LS 460 | Childhood, Nature, and Society* |
| PLSI 354 | Politics, The Environment, and Social Change (4) |
| RPT 230 | Growth Through Adventure |
| RPT 430 | Ecology of Outdoor Recreation |
| SOC 477 | Environmental Sociology (4) |
| SOC 483 | Global Sociology (4) |
| S S 681 | Community Service Learning in the Schools* |
| USP 515/ GEOG 667 |
Race, Poverty, and the Urban Environment (4) |
| WGS 578 | Women, Globalization and Ecology |
Communicating About the Environment (15 units)
Students take at least 12 units of upper division courses in an area of emphasis (on advisement) and a 3-unit culminating project.
Total for Concentration: 21 - 27
Total for Major: 57 - 74
* Note students may take one of either LS 460 (formerly S S 460) or S S 681 but not both.
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 adviser.
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning this concentration.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Program
Core requirements (see above)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 215 | General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts | 3 |
| GEOG 652/ USP 652 or GEOL 110 |
Environmental Impact Analysis Physical Geology |
4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 227 or MATH 124 or BIOL 458 |
Calculus II (4) Elementary Statistics Biometry (4) |
3 - 4 |
| PHYS 111/112 | General Physics I/Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 121/122 | General Physics II/Laboratory | 4 |
Elective Courses (16 - 22)
Choose courses from one emphasis from the elective list for the concentration in earth system science and meet with a faculty adviser 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 (18 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CHEM 216 | General Chemistry II Lab (2) |
| CHEM 233/234 | Organic Chemistry I/Laboratory (3/2) (formerly CHEM 333/334) |
| CHEM 320 | Quantitative Chemical Analysis (4) |
| CHEM 420 or ENGR 434 or GEOL 476 |
Environmental Analysis Principles of Environmental Engineering Groundwater Contamination |
| CHEM 422 | Instrumental Analysis (4) |
Climate System (16-18 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 610 or METR 415 or METR 470/ OCN 470/ GEOG 607 |
Remote Sensing of the Environment I (4) Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean Meteorological and Oceanic Observing Techniques and Systems (2) |
| OCN 405/ GEOL 405/ METR 405 or GEOG 313 |
Planetary Climate Change (4) Earth's Climate System (4) |
| GEOG 312 or GEOL 450 |
Geography of Landforms (4) Geomorphology (4) |
| METR 201 | Physical Processes in the Atmosphere |
| OCN 200 | Physical Processes in the Ocean |
Coastal System (16-18 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 534 or BIOL 585 |
Wetlands Ecology (4) Marine Ecology |
| GEOG 313 or GEOL 405/ METR 405/ OCN 405 |
Earth's Climate System (4) Planetary Climate Change (4) |
| GEOG 610 or METR 415 |
Remote Sensing of Environment I (4) Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Ocean |
| GEOL 452 or OCN 420 |
Coastal Processes Physical Oceanography |
| OCN 200/ METR 200 |
Physical Processes in the Ocean |
Hydrologic System (22 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CHEM 216 | General Chemistry II Laboratory (2) |
| GEOG 313 or OCN 405/ GEOL 405/ METR 405 |
Earth's Climate System (4) Planetary Climate Change (4) |
| GEOG 642/ GEOL 642 or GEOL 450 or GEOG 312 |
Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4) Geomorphology (4) Geography of Landforms (4) |
| GEOG 647 | Geography of Water Resources (4) |
| GEOL 475 | Hydrogeology (4) |
Surficial Processes (18-19 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 312 or GEOL 450 |
Geography of Landforms (4) Geomorphology (4) |
| GEOG 317 or GEOL 454 |
Geography of Soils (4) Quaternary Climate and Soils |
| GEOG 603 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
| GEOG 621/ BIOL 533 |
Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Analysis (4) |
| GEOG 642/ GEOL 642 |
Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4) |
Total for concentration: 38 - 42
Total for Major: 74 - 92
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.
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning courses in this concentration.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Natural Resources Management and Conservation Concentration
Core requirements (see above)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 240 | Introductory Biology II (if not taken in major core) | 0 - 5 |
| BIOL 458 | Biometry | 4 |
| BIOL 530 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| GEOG 603 or GEOG 652/ USP 652 |
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Environmental Impact Analysis (4) |
3-4 |
| GEOG 657/ ENVS 657 |
Natural Resource Management | 4 |
Elective Courses (20 - 24)
Students must consult with a faculty adviser 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
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 482 | Ecology (4) |
| BIOL 529 | Plant Ecology (4) |
| BIOL 532 | Restoration Ecology |
| BIOL 582 | Biological Oceanography (4) |
| BIOL 585 | Marine Ecology |
Biodiversity
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 460 | General Entomology (4) |
| BIOL 470 | Natural History of Vertebrates (4) |
| BIOL 475 | Herpetology |
| BIOL 478 | Ornithology (4) |
| BIOL 504 | Biology of the Fungi (4) |
| BIOL 514 | Plant Taxonomy (5) |
| BIOL 570 | Biology of Fishes (4) |
| GEOG 316 | Biogeography (4) |
Resources
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 317 | Geography of Soils (4) |
| GEOG 427 | Agriculture and Food Supply (4) |
| GEOG 646 | Geography of Marine Resources (4) |
| GEOG 647 | Geography of Water Resources (4) |
| GEOG 666 | Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction |
| RPT 640/ ENVS 640 |
Managing Recreational Use of National Parks and Protected Resources |
Applied Methodology/Techniques
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 602 | Field Methods in Geography (4) |
| GEOG 610 or GEOG 611 |
Remote Sensing of the Environment I (4) Remote Sensing of the Environment II (4) |
| GEOG 621/ BIOL 533 |
GIS for Environmental Analysis (4) |
| GEOG 642/ GEOL 642 |
Watershed Assessment and Restoration (4) |
| GEOG 652/ USP 652 |
Environmental Impact Analysis (4) (if not taken in the concentration Requirements) |
| GEOG 658/ 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.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BECA 502 | Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media |
| BUS 450 | Greening of Business |
| ENVS 470 | Climate Politics and Policy |
| ENVS 570 | Campus Sustainability |
| ECON 306/ ENVS 306 |
Economics and the Environment |
| ECON 425/ GEOG 425 |
Economic Geography (4) |
| GEOG 422 | Environmental Perception |
| GEOG 606 | Cartography (4) |
| GEOL 450 | Geomorphology (4) |
| GEOL 476 | Groundwater Contamination |
| OCN 410 | Coastal Processes |
| ENVS 331/ IR 331 |
Global Environmental Crises: Challenges and Responses (4) |
| PLSI 354 | Politics, the Environment, and Social Change (4) |
| ENVS 699/ GEOG 699/ BIOL 699 |
Independent Study |
Total for Concentration: 34 - 44
Total for Major: 70 - 91
