CHAIR: Paul W. Barnes, Ph.D., Office: 350 Monroe Hall
FACULTY:
Biological Sciences: Kathryn F. Anzelmo, Paul W. Barnes, Craig S. Hood, David A. White
Chemistry: Lynn V. Koplitz, Joelle S. Underwood
Communications: Robert A. Thomas
English: Barbara C. Ewell, Christopher S. Schaberg, Janelle Schwartz
History: Eric M. Hardy
Law: Robert R. M. Verchick
Mathematics: Michael R. Kelly
Philosophy: John P. Clark, Francis P. Coolidge
Religious Studies: Kenneth P. Keulman, Kathleen A. O’Gorman
Sociology: Anthony E. Ladd, Nicole L. Youngman
WEBSITE: http://interdisciplinary.loyno.edu/environmentalstudies

The interdisciplinary program in the Environment provides students the opportunity to engage in a broad and integrated study of the environment from a variety of academic viewpoints. The program focuses on understanding the relationships between humans and the natural world from biological, physical, chemical, sociological, economic, cultural, philosophical, and religious perspectives. Students can pursue a B.S. in Environmental Science, with a concentration in the Biological Sciences, or a B.A. in Environmental Studies, with either a Humanities or Social Science concentration. Students can also pursue a minor in Environmental Studies.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

All majors enrolled in this program will take a 4-course core curriculum, 11-12 hours of concentration courses within their major, selected adjunct courses and 30-33 hours of electives (major electives and general electives). This curriculum will introduce students to the major global and regional environmental issues facing the planet today, and will provide students with the knowledge and problem-solving skills that will enable them to play an active role in understanding our global and regional ecosystems and contributing to their future well-being. Depending on the area of concentration, this curriculum will prepare students for entry into graduate or professional schools and career paths in a diversity of fields such as environmental research, environmental policy/law, sustainability planning and development, natural resource management and conservation, environmental communications, environmental education, creative writing, environmental consulting and many others, in both public and private sectors.

CORE CURRICULUM

Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors are expected to complete a 4-course core curriculum that consists of an introductory foundations course, a course in statistics, an ecology and evolution course, and a senior capstone course (The Senior Experience).

Environment Core Courses:

• ENVA A105 Foundations in Environmental Studies
• BIOL A208 Ecology & Evolution
• MATH A260 Introduction to Statistics
• ENVA A497/498/499 Senior Experience (Capstone Course)

Concentration Courses include 3-4 advanced courses within the Biological Sciences (B.S.), the humanities (B.A.), or social sciences (B.A.) depending upon the major and area of concentration chosen by the student. For the Environmental Science (B.S.) degree, the concentration courses include a combination of lecture only and lecture + lab courses.

ADJUNCT AND MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES

In addition to the concentration and core courses, students will take appropriate major elective and adjunct courses in each of the three main program areas: natural sciences/mathematics, social sciences/business/law, and humanities/arts. These courses are intended to provide students with an increased understanding of the breadth of perspectives examining environmental issues and to strengthen fundamental skills and knowledge in the natural sciences and the environment. All students are required to take a course in Environmental Ethics or Environmental Philosophy. B.S. and B.A. (Humanities concentration) students are required to take Environmental Sociology. Beyond these requirements, the specific adjunct and major elective courses required vary depending upon the major and area of concentration.

Adjunct and Major Elective Course Requirements for the B.S. in Environmental Science (Biological Sciences Concentration):

• PHIL V243 or V245 Environmental Ethics/Environmental Philosophy
• SOCI X235 Environmental Sociology
• MATH A257 Calculus I
• BIOL A106/A107 Cells & Heredity
• BIOL A108/A109 Biology of Organisms
• CHEM A105/A107 General Chemistry I
• CHEM A106/A108 General Chemistry II
• CHEM A300/A302 Organic Chemistry I
• SOCIAL SCIENCE/LAW Social Science/Law/Business Environment elective
• HUMANITIES/ARTS Humanities/Arts Environment elective

Adjunct and Major Elective Course Requirements for the B.A. in Environmental Studies (Humanities Concentration):

• PHIL V243 or V245 Environmental Ethics/Environmental Philosophy
• SOCI X235 Environmental Sociology
• NATURAL SCIENCE 2 Natural Science/Mathematics Environment electives
• SOCIAL SCIENCE/LAW 2 Social Science/Law/Business Environment electives

Adjunct and Major Elective Course Requirements for the B.A. in Environmental Studies (Social Science Concentration):

• PHIL V243 or V245 Environmental Ethics/Environmental Philosophy
• NATURAL SCIENCE 2 Natural Science/Mathematics Environment electives
• HUMANITIES/ARTS 2 Humanities/Arts Environment electives

THE SENIOR EXPERIENCE (CAPSTONE COURSE)

The culmination of the major and minor is a senior experience (capstone) consisting either of an internship (ENVA A497), a research project (ENVA A498) or an independent study (ENVA A499). Students generally enroll for one of these options in their senior year and must submit a proposal for approval by the Environment Program Chair. The internship or research/independent study project will be directed by a participating Environment faculty member selected by the student.
The Senior Experience allows students to participate in a large spectrum of learning experiences that contribute to their environment education and prepare them for future work in environmental fields. Internships have included work with a variety of public agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations, including the Student Conservation Association, the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, the Audubon Nature Institute, the Crescent City Farmer’s Market, Hollygrove Market and Farm, and the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. Research and independent study projects have included work on such topics as public lands issues, global climate change impacts, international environmental agreements, solid waste issues, deforestation, interstate water use agreements, corporate ethics, wetland loss, and alternative transportation.
STUDY ABROAD

Students are encouraged to broaden their environmental education and experiences in ecosystems and cultures outside the U.S. by taking advantage of Loyola’s numerous study abroad opportunities. Various summer and semester exchange programs exist for study in Costa Rica, Belize, India, New Zealand, Mexico, China, Europe and other locations. Students should consult with the Environment Program Chair prior to undertaking their study abroad program to assess the suitability of courses for use in their major or minor.