MSU Billings Catalog

Environmental Studies Bachelor of Arts Degree

Requirements

  • Environmental Studies students must earn a minimum of 120 credits, including at least 36 upper-division credits.
  • Students must earn a grade of “C-” or better in all Core Requirements and Track Electives.
  • Many of the required Environmental Studies Core courses also fulfill General Education requirements.
  • 12 additional Environmental Studies Core credits are required beyond those used in General Education.
  • Students must complete at least one specialize "Career Oriented Track" of courses.
  • Most Environmental Studies students also complete a Minor field of study (recommended).

Required Courses

General Education/Environmental Studies Core
Students should consult with an academic advisor before registering for General Education courses. In order to maximize credit options, Environmental Studies students should complete the following.
Global Academic Skills
Mathematics:
STAT 216Introduction to Statistics *4
English:
WRIT 101College Writing I *3
or WRIT 121 Intro to Technical Writing
Communication & Information Literacy:
COMX 111Intro to Public Speaking *3
Natural Sciences
Life Sciences - Select one course & lab:4
Discover Biology
and Discover Biology Lab *
Principles of Living Systems
and Principles Living Systems Lab *
Physical Sciences:
GPHY 262
GPHY 263
Spatial Sciences Tech and Appl
and Spatial Sciences & Tech Lab *
4
Social Sciences and History
Social Sciences:
ECNS 201Principles of Microeconomics *3
History:
Select from list3
Cultural Diversity
GPHY 121Human Geography *3
Arts and Humanities
Fine Arts:
Select from list3
Humanities:
Select from list3
Subtotal33
Additional Environmental Studies Core Requirements
BIOE 202Intro to Environmental Ecology3
ENST 210Intro to Environmental Studies3
ENST 498Internship/Cooperative Educ3
ENST 499Senior Thesis/Capstone3
Select one additional (second) writing course from the following:3
Intro to Technical Writing *
College Writing II
Intermediate Tech Writing
Subtotal15
Career Oriented Tracks
Each student completes at least one of the four Tracks below.
1. GIS Skills
GPHY 282Mapping Techniques3
GPHY 380Principles of GIS3
GPHY 484Applied GIS/Spatial Analysis3
GPHY 491Special Topics3
Select two courses from:6
Art & the Environment
Business and the Environment
The Environmental Vision
Envir Impact & Policy Analysis
Seminar/Workshop
Cooperative Educ/Internship
Montana and the West
American Environmental History
Native Americans & Environment
American Indian Policy and Law
Nature, Culture, Ethics
Public Policy Analysis
Sociology Hunting & Poaching
Environmental Sociology
Subtotal18
2. Environmental Advocacy
COMX 300Exploring Comm Studies3
COMX 330Principles of Media Studies3
COMX 341Public Advocacy3
HSTA 460Montana and the West3
or HSTA 470 American Environmental History
Select two courses from:6
Art & the Environment
Business and the Environment
Prin of Organizational Comm
Political Communication
The Environmental Vision
Envir Impact & Policy Analysis
Seminar/Workshop
Native Americans & Environment
Nature, Culture, Ethics
Public Policy Analysis
Sociology Hunting & Poaching
Environmental Sociology
Subtotal18
3. Environmental Management and Policy
BGEN 440Business and the Environment3
or BMGT 322 Operations Management
GPHY 282Mapping Techniques3
HSTA 460Montana and the West3
or HSTA 470 American Environmental History
NASX 476American Indian Policy and Law3
PSCI 260Intro to State and Local Govt3
Select one course from:3
The Environmental Vision
Envir Impact & Policy Analysis
Principles of GIS
Seminar/Workshop
Native Americans & Environment
Nature, Culture, Ethics
Public Policy Analysis
Sociology Hunting & Poaching
Subtotal18
4. Eco-Spatial Analysis
BIOE 370
BIOE 371
General Ecology
and General Ecology Lab
4
BIOO 320General Botany3
BIOO 321General Botany Lab1
GPHY 282Mapping Techniques3
GPHY 380Principles of GIS3
GPHY 484Applied GIS/Spatial Analysis3
Select one course from:3
Business and the Environment
The Environmental Vision
Envir Impact & Policy Analysis
Seminar/Workshop
Montana and the West
American Environmental History
Native Americans & Environment
American Indian Policy and Law
Nature, Culture, Ethics
Public Policy Analysis
Sociology Hunting & Poaching
Environmental Sociology
Subtotal20
Language Requirement8
In Bachelor of Arts degrees requiring modern language, the language requirement is satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to satisfactory completion of two semesters of college level work in that language. Many students use Modern Language credits to complete this requirement; however, options are available for students fluent in non-English languages, including Native American languages.
Electives44-46
Any other college-level credits, including credits toward upper-division minimum, Minor Field of Study (recommended), career interests, and/or necessary prerequisite courses.
Total Minimum Credits120
*

May satisfy General Education requirements.

Certain courses in this program have prerequisites; students should check the course descriptions for required prerequisites.

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall
WRIT 101College Writing I3
COMX 111Intro to Public Speaking3
ECNS 201Principles of Microeconomics3
BIOB 101
BIOB 102
Discover Biology
and Discover Biology Lab
4
or BIOB 160
BIOB 161
Principles of Living Systems
and Principles Living Systems Lab
Gen Ed Fine Arts3
Total16
Spring
WRIT Course (WRIT 121, WRIT 201, or WRIT 221)3
STAT 216Introduction to Statistics4
GPHY 262Spatial Sciences Technology and Applications & Lab4
GPHY 121Human Geography3
Gen Ed History3
Total17
Second Year
Fall
Modern Language4
ENST 210Intro to Environmental Studies3
Career Track Course3-4
Minor Field3
Gen Ed Humanities3
Total16-17
Spring
Modern Language4
Career Track Course3-4
Minor Field3
BIOE 202Intro to Environmental Ecology3
Open Elective3
Total16-17
Third Year
Fall
Career Track Course3-4
Career Track Course3
Minor Field6
Open Elective3
Total15-16
Spring
Career Track Course3-4
Career Track Course3
Minor Field6
Upper Division Open Elective3
Total15-16
Fourth Year
Fall
ENST 498Internship/Cooperative Educ3
ENST 499Senior Thesis/Capstone3
Career Track Course3
Upper Division Open Elective3
Total12
Spring
Complete Career Track3-6
Complete Minor Field3-6
Complete Upper Division Electives3-6
Total12-15