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 210
Phone: 415-338-1149
Website: envs.sfsu.edu
Faculty
Professor: Davidson
Assistant Professor: Fieldman
Lecturers: Plater, Vassey
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 Environmental Studies Program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Bachelor of Science degree with the choice of a concentration in Earth System Science, or Natural Resource Management and Conservation. The Bachelor of Arts program has 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
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.
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
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 |
| CHEM 380/ ENVS 380 |
Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution | 3 |
| ENVS 450 GW | Environmental Law and Policy - GWAR | 3 |
| ENVS 680 | Internship | 1 - 3 |
| ENVS 690 | Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies | 3 |
Select one course from each category: 16 - 18 units
Physical Environment
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 101 | Our Physical Environment |
| GEOL 270 | Environmental Geology |
Sustainability and Social Justice
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ENVS 306/ ECON 306 |
Economics and the Environment |
| ENVS 570 | Campus Sustainability |
| PHIL 470 | Environmental Ethics |
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities (4) |
| USP 515/ GEOG 677 |
Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4) |
Global/International
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ENVS 470 | Climate Politics and Policy |
| I R 331/ ENVS 331 |
Global Environmental Crisis (4) |
| I R 428 | International Political Economy of Food and Hunger (4) |
Ecology
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 313 | Principles of Ecology |
Research Methods
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ENVS 224 | Research Methods for Environmental Studies (4) |
Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice Emphasis
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
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| 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/ GEOG 667 |
Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4) |
Long List
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| 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/ 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 |
| ENGR 220 | Energy: Resources, Alternatives, and Conservation |
| ENVS 306/ ECON 306 |
Economics and the Environment |
| ENVS 331/ I R 331 |
Global Environmental Crisis: Challenges and Responses (4) |
| GEOG 422 | Environmental Perception |
| GEOG 427 | Agriculture and Food Supply (4) |
| ENVS 600/ GEOG 600 |
Environmental Problems & Solutions |
| GEOG 647 | Geography of Water Resources (4) |
| GEOG 652/ USP 652 |
Environmental Impact Analysis |
| GEOG 666 | Geography of Garbage: Recycling and Waste Reduction |
| GEOL 305 | Energy and Its Environmental Issues |
| GPS 315/ I R 315/ 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/ 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/ H ED 456/ 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
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
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 433/ USP 433 |
Urban Transportation (4) |
| GEOG 652/ USP 652 |
Environmental Impact Analysis (4) |
| GEOG 658/ USP 658 |
Land-Use Planning |
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities (4) |
| USP 515/ GEOG 667 |
Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Environment (4) |
Long List
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| 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/ USP 535 |
Urban Economics |
| ENVS 306/ ECON 306 |
Economics and the Environment |
| ENVS 570 | Campus Sustainability |
| ENVS 699 | Independent Study |
| GEOG 425/ ECON 425 |
Economic Geography (4) |
| GEOG 432/ USP 432 |
Urban Geography (4) |
| GEOG 433/ USP 433 |
Urban Transportation (4) |
| GEOG 600/ ENVS 600 |
Environmental Problems and Solutions |
| 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 |
| H ED 655 | Environmental Health |
| I R 331/ ENVS 331 |
Global Environmental Crises: Challenges and Responses (4) |
| RPT 440 | Urban Recreation and Leisure Services |
| SOC 480/ USP 470 |
City in a Global Society (4) |
| USP 530 | Alternative Urban Futures |
Humanities and the Environment Emphasis
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
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BECA 502 | Environmental Communication on the Electronic Media (if not taken in the core) |
| C W 505 | Environmental Writing |
| 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
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| AMST 410/ HUM 450 |
California Culture |
| ANTH 321 | Endangered Cultures |
| CINE 344 | Ecology and Film |
| CINE 527/ H ED 527 |
Documentary of Social Justice and Health |
| CST 300/ PLSI 386 |
Introduction to Critical Social Thought |
| COMM 448 GW | The Rhetoric of Ecology - GWAR |
| HIST 476 | American Environmental History |
| 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/ HIST 681 |
Community Service Learning in the Schools* |
| PHIL 150/ 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
Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS 300 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 380/ ENVS 380 |
Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution | 3 |
| ENVS 450 GW | Environmental Law and Policy - GWAR | 3 |
| GEOG 600/ ENVS 600 |
Environmental Problems and Solutions | 3 |
| ENVS 680 | Internship | 1 - 3 |
| ENVS 690 | Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies | 3 |
Select one course from each category: 16-18 units
Physical Environment
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| GEOG 101 | Our Physical Environment |
| GEOL 270 | Environmental Geology |
Human Environment
| 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
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ANTH 321 | Endangered Cultures |
| LTNS 450 | Indigenismo: Indigenous Cultures of the Americas |
| USP 514 | Sustainable Development in Cities (4) |
| USP 515/ 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.)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 230 and BIOL 240 or BIOL 313 |
Introductory Biology I (5) Introductory Biology II (5)* Principles of Ecology |
Human Values and Environmental Ethics
| 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) |
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.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Core Requirements: 36 - 40 units (See above)
Concentration Requirements: 22 - 23 units
Electives: 17 - 25 units
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning this concentration.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 215 | General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts or other chemistry course (see advisor). |
3 |
| GEOG 652/ USP 652 or GEOL 110 |
Environmental Impact Analysis Physical Geology |
4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 124 or MATH 227 or BIOL 458 |
Elementary Statistics Calculus II (4) Biometry (4) |
3 - 4 |
| PHYS 111/ PHYS 112 |
General Physics I/ Laboratory |
4 |
| PHYS 121/ PHYS 122 |
General Physics II/ Laboratory |
4 |
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)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CHEM 216 | General Chemistry II Lab (2) |
| CHEM 233/ CHEM 234 |
Organic Chemistry I/Laboratory (3/2) (formerly CHEM 333/CHEM 334) |
| CHEM 321 | 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 (23 - 25 units)
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ENVS 470 | Climate Politics and Policy |
| 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 | Physical Processes in the Ocean |
Hydrologic System (18 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 | Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Analysis (4) |
| GEOG 642/ 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.
Note: 15 units from the core curriculum must be completed prior to beginning courses in this concentration.
Core requirements (see above) 43 - 47 units
Concentration Requirements 14 - 15 units
Electives 20 - 24 units
On-line course descriptions are available.
Natural Resources Management and Conservation Concentration
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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
| 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/ I R 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 |
