Environmental Studies  {SF State Bulletin 2015 - 2016}

Image: San Francisco State University seal on a gold background

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
Associate Professor: Fieldman
Lecturers: Plater, Magalhaes
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.A. in Environmental Studies

B.S. in Environmental Studies, Concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation

 

 

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 Natural Resource Management and Conservation. Students in the B.A. 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 (16 - 20 units)

Electives (16 - 18 units)

Select one course from each category: 16 - 18 units

Physical Environment
Sustainability and Social Justice
Global/International
Ecology
Research Methods

 

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
Long List

* 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
Long List

 

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
Long List

* 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: Concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation

 

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies Concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation 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 — 65 - 74 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Required Courses (41 - 44 units)

Elective Courses (24 - 30)

Students must consult with a faculty advisor prior to selection of elective courses in order to determine which courses are most appropriate for the students’ particular program. Choose one course from each category.

Physical Environment
Sustainability and Social Justice
Global/International
Ecology
Biodiversity
Resources
Resource Policy and Techniques

 

 

SF State Home