Related News
-
February 19, 2019 | Economics, Policy & Governance, Environmental Health
-
November 18, 2018
-
July 9, 2018 | Climate Change, Water
Environmental Sciences and Policy majors gain a broad understanding of the natural world, humans’ impacts on it, and the physical, biological and social sciences critical to finding solutions to Earth’s most pressing environmental issues.
Within this interdisciplinary framework, students can acquire in-depth knowledge in a specialized field by pursuing a three-course “sub-discipline” in topics such as climate change, sustainability, ecotoxicology, environmental justice, marine ecology, renewable energy and environmental economics, among many others. Many students do independent research in their area of specialty to fulfill Graduation with Distinction honors. About 40% of our students are double majors or are pursuing customized interdepartmental majors.
A degree in Environmental Sciences or Environmental Sciences and Policy prepares students for careers as sustainability directors, natural or social scientists, energy analysts, environmental lawyers, policymakers, conservation specialists, ecotoxicologists, medical doctors and veterinarians, and in many other fields.
You’ll find our alums working at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, the National Institute of Environmental Health, and the Department of Justice. You’ll also find them at law firms, nonprofit organizations, multinational corporations, private consulting firms, hospitals and global health institutions; and in state, local and national governments, as well as other industries or sectors.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Sciences is for students planning careers or advanced studies in the natural sciences. If you want to help forge new scientific or technological solutions to climate change and other challenges, this is the path for you. The B.S. degree requires 17-18 courses.
Biology: BIO 201L or 202L or 203L
Calculus: (MATH 111L and 112L) or MATH 122L
Chemistry: CHEM 101DL and (CHEM 201DL or 210DL)
Environmental Sciences: ENVIRON 102
Physics: PHYS 141L or 151L or 161L
Statistics: STAT 101 or 102 or 111 or 130 or 199 or BIO 304
Note: Some or all of the Chemistry, Calculus, Environmental Sciences and Physics co-requisites can be satisfied by appropriate AP credit.
ENVIRON 201 Integrating Environmental Sciences and Policy
Choose 6 courses, at least one from each category:
Note: 1 of these 6 courses can also count as a Focus Area course.
(F) Typically offered fall semester
(Sp) Typically offered spring semester
(Marine Lab) taught at Duke University Marine Lab
Students will focus on one area for depth of expertise in consultation with their major advisor. At least 3 courses must contribute to this focus, with 1 being at the 500 level or above. Courses listed as Core can be used to fulfill this requirement.
Students are encouraged to pursue a Research Independent Study as part of the focus requirement (Only one unit of Independent Research Study will count towards the focused area).
Students should submit advisor-approved focus essays in their senior year, a week after the Spring Registration period ends in November. If students subsequently change plans during Add/Drop in their final semester, a revised essay will have to be submitted.
The focus essay should prepare an argument that ties together courses taken previously that relate to the area, the 3 chosen courses to be taken to further their depth, and any relevant experience. Students are encouraged to deliberately consider how they structure their focus area from the outset, and not simply tie together disparate courses after the fact in the essay.
Relevant courses from other departments can be used to fulfill the focus area requirement, see linked list below. Note that this is not an exhaustive list nor is it a menu from which to choose courses – rather, students should carefully consider, in consultation with their academic advisors, as to how each course adds depth in their chosen focus area and articulate this in the focus essay.
Focus Studies Course Suggestions >
Select 1 of the following:
Project-based course that examines current environmental issues from both the NS, SS, and Humanities. Students in the BS and AB majors will work together to further their knowledge and skills in solving environmental problems.
One semester of Independent Research required, 2 recommended
Graduation with Distinction requirements & deadlines
B.S. Major Requirements Worksheet
B.S. (with MSC Concentration) Major Requirements Worksheet
The Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Environmental Sciences and Policy prepares students to be science-literate decision makers. Students seeking a strong foundation for careers in policy, business, law, human health, education or public service are well served by this curriculum. The A.B. degree requires 14-15 courses.
Note: Some or all of the Chemistry, Calculus and Environmental Sciences co-requisites can be satisfied by appropriate AP credit.
ENVIRON 201 (Integrating Environmental Sciences and Policy)
3 courses, one from each category
Students will choose a focus area in consultation with their major advisor. Three courses fulfill this requirement, with at least one being at the 500 level or above. Students will choose between natural sciences and social sciences to develop the skills, knowledge, and capacity to evaluate environmental issues from a perspective of depth. For example, students may choose to study energy and will take 3 natural science courses in this area.
Students should submit advisor-approved focus essays in their senior year, a week after the Spring Registration period ends in November. If students subsequently change plans during Add/Drop in their final semester, a revised essay will have to be submitted.
The focus essay should prepare an argument that ties together courses taken previously that relate to the area, the 3 chosen courses to be taken to further their depth, and any relevant experience. Students are encouraged to deliberately consider how they structure their focus area from the outset, and not simply tie together disparate courses after the fact in the essay.
Relevant courses from other departments can be used to fulfill the focus area requirement, see linked list below. Note that this is not an exhaustive list nor is it a menu from which to choose courses – rather, students should carefully consider, in consultation with their academic advisors, as to how each course adds depth in their chosen focus area and articulate this in the focus essay.
Focus Studies Course Suggestions >
Choose 1 of the following:
Project-based course that examines current environmental issues from both the NS, SS, and Humanities. Students in the BS and AB majors will work together to further their knowledge and skills in solving environmental problems.
One semester of Independent Research required, 2 recommended
Graduation with Distinction requirements & deadlines
Could include a semester at the Marine Lab, Study Abroad that includes field work/field course, Duke Engage, Summer REU programs relevant to student’s major or research independent study not used elsewhere in the major. Complete the UG Summer Field Experience or Internship Report for approval of your internship/experience.
*Approval of substitute courses taken at other universities must be obtained from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the department offering the course. Please note that some of these courses are prerequisite to some upper-level courses in this major.
A.B. Major Requirements Worksheet
A.B. (with MSC Concentration) Major Requirements Worksheet
The minor in Environmental Sciences and Policy allows students to demonstrate an environmental science knowledge in addition to their own major. The minor consists of five courses.
The remaining three courses are selected from the 200-level and above ENVIRON or EOS courses. One approved substitution of a course in another department may be included.