Environmental Studies Major, B.A.
This major is designed for students seeking interdisciplinary preparation in the social sciences and humanities needed to understand how society affects the environment, how it organizes itself to respond to environmental problems, and how understanding of the environment is transmitted through culture. The major prepares students for graduate and professional training, especially in environmental policy, journalism, education, and law. There are two tracks available. Students should contact Dr. Amy Cooke to discuss the right track for their interests and career goals.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the environmental studies program (B.A.), students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge in the connections in social and/or natural sciences through an understanding of major concepts, theoretical reasoning, and empirical findings in environmental studies
- Demonstrate knowledge of a marketable skill (e.g. GIS, communication, statistics) to enhance their ability to apply concepts from the program in the real world
- Demonstrate mastery of research and problem-solving skills through individual or team-based projects working for a researcher or client in a social or natural science
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
The environmental studies program provides two options:
- Environmental Studies Major, B.A. (with several concentration areas)
- Environmental Studies Major, B.A.–Sustainability Track
Environmental Studies Major, B.A.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ENEC 201 |  Introduction to Environment and Society H, F | 4 |
| ENEC 202 | Introduction to the Environmental Sciences | 4 |
| ENEC 698 | Capstone: Analysis and Solution of Environmental Problems | 3 |
| or ENEC 694H | Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | |
| One of the following earth system science courses: | 3-4 | |
| How Cells Function F | ||
or BIOL 104 | Biodiversity | |
or BIOL 201 | Ecology and Evolution | |
| Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 1 | ||
| Ecological Processes in Environmental Systems 1 | ||
| Coastal and Estuarine Ecology 1 | ||
| Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems and Water in Our World Laboratory 1 | ||
| Synoptic Meteorology | ||
| Energy Resources | ||
| Two courses from one of the following skills categories: | 6 | |
GIS: | ||
| Anthropological Application of GIS | ||
| Landscape Analysis 1 | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information | ||
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| GIS in Public Health | ||
| Applied Issues in Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Geovisualizing Change | ||
| Geographic Information Science Programming | ||
Remote Sensing: | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing of the Environment | ||
| Advanced Remote Sensing | ||
| Geologic and Oceanographic Applications of Geographical Information Systems | ||
Statistics: | ||
| Introduction to Data Models and Inference F | ||
or BIOS 600 | Principles of Statistical Inference | |
| Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics H | ||
| Statistics for Environmental Scientists | ||
| Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy H | ||
| Five courses chosen from one of the concentrations list below | 15-20 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I F | ||
| General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity F | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | ||
| General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta F | ||
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Economics H, F | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| Enough General Education and free electives to accumulate at least 120 credit hours. 2 | varies | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
This course appears on a core requirement list as well as a concentration requirement list, but can only be counted toward one of the two.
- 2
Recommended courses are ECON 400 and one of the following PH courses: COMM 375/ENEC 375, ENEC 325, or ENEC 368/PHIL 368.
Agriculture and Health Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 252 | Archaeology of Food | 3 |
| ANTH 306 | Water and Inequality: Anthropological Perspectives | 3 |
| ANTH 319 | Global Health | 3 |
| ANTH/ENEC 238 | Human Ecology of Africa | 3 |
| ENEC 325 | Water Resource Management and Human Rights H | 3-4 |
| ENEC 370 | Agriculture and the Environment H | 3 |
| ENEC 395 | Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies for Undergraduates | 3 |
| or ENEC 396 | Directed Readings | |
| ENEC 420 | Community Design and Green Architecture | 3 |
| ENEC 693H | Honors Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies 1 | 3 |
| or ENEC 694H | Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | |
| ENEC/ENVR 522 | Environmental Change and Human Health | 3 |
| ENEC/GEOL 324 | Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems 1 | 3 |
| ENEC/GEOL 324L | Water in Our World Laboratory | 1 |
| GEOG 334 | Human Ecology of Health and Disease | 3 |
| GEOG 457 | Rural Latin America: Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources H | 3 |
| GEOG 542 | Neighborhoods and Health | 3 |
| PLCY 475 | The Political Economy of Food H | 3 |
| PLCY 485 | Poverty, Health, and Human Development in Low Income Countries | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
- 1
This course appears on a core requirement list as well as a concentration requirement list, but can only be counted toward one of the two.
Ecology and Society Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 226 | The Peoples of Africa | 3 |
| ANTH 318 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| ANTH 320 | Anthropology of Development | 3 |
| ANTH 439 | Political Ecology | 3 |
| ANTH/ENEC 238 | Human Ecology of Africa | 3 |
| ANTH/ENEC 460 | Historical Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 201 | Ecology and Evolution 1, H | 4 |
| or BIOL 260 | Introduction to Ecology | |
| BIOL/ENEC 272 | Local Flora | 4 |
| BIOL 277 | Vertebrate Field Zoology | 3 |
| BIOL 402 | Infectious Disease in the Developing World | 3 |
| BIOL 427 | Human Diversity and Population Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 461 | Fundamentals of Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 463 | Field Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 464 | Global Change Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 465 | Global Biodiversity and Macroecology | 3 |
| BIOL 469 | Behavioral Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 561 | Ecological Plant Geography | 3 |
| BIOL 565 | Conservation Biology H | 3 |
| BIOL 567 | Evolutionary Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL/ENEC 256 | Mountain Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIOL/ENEC 461 | Fundamentals of Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL/ENEC 562 | Statistics for Environmental Scientists | 4 |
| CHIN 356 | Chinese Environmental Literature | 3 |
| ENEC 222 | Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 1 | 4 |
| ENEC 304 | Restoration Ecology | 4 |
| ENEC 395 | Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies for Undergraduates | 3 |
| or ENEC 396 | Directed Readings | |
| ENEC 462 | Ecosystem Management | 3 |
| ENEC 479 | Landscape Analysis 1 | 3 |
| ENEC 489 | Ecological Processes in Environmental Systems 1 | 4 |
| ENEC 491 | Effective Environmental Communication | 3 |
| ENEC 693H | Honors Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies 1 | 3 |
| or ENEC 694H | Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | |
| ENEC/GEOG 264 | Conservation of Biodiversity in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ENEC/GEOL 324 | Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENEC/GEOL/MASC 450 | Biogeochemical Processes | 4 |
| ENEC/MASC 352 | Marine Fisheries Ecology | 3 |
| ENEC/MASC 441 | Marine Physiological Ecology | 3 |
| ENEC/MASC 444 | Marine Phytoplankton | 3 |
| ENEC/MASC 448 | Coastal and Estuarine Ecology 1 | 4 |
| ENEC/MASC 471 | Human Impacts on Estuarine Ecosystems | 4 |
| ENEC/PLAN 641 | Watershed Planning | 3 |
| ENEC/PLCY 372 | Global Environment: Policy Analysis and Solutions | 3 |
| ENEC/PLCY 520 | Environment and Development | 3 |
| ENEC/POLI 254 | International Environmental Politics | 3 |
| GEOG 228 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 232 | Agriculture, Food, and Society | 3 |
| GEOG 261 | The South | 3 |
| GEOG 334 | Human Ecology of Health and Disease | 3 |
| GEOG 423 | Social Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 444 | Landscape Biogeography | 3 |
| GEOG 470 | Political Ecology: Geographical Perspectives | 3 |
| GEOG 597 | Ecological Modeling | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
- 1
This course appears on a core requirement list as well as a concentration requirement list, but can only be counted toward one of the two.
Environmental Behavior and Decision Making Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 422 | Anthropology and Human Rights | 3 |
| ANTH 539 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| BIOL/MATH 553 | Mathematical and Computational Models in Biology | 3 |
| BUSI 507 | Sustainable Business and Social Enterprise H | 3 |
| COMM/ENEC 375 | Environmental Advocacy | 3 |
| ENEC/POLI 254 | International Environmental Politics | 3 |
| ENEC 305 | Data Analysis and Visualization of Social and Environmental Interactions | 4 |
| ENEC 309 | Environmental Values and Valuation | 3 |
| ENEC 312 | Risk-Based International Environmental Decisions | 3 |
| ENEC/GEOL 324 | Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENEC 325 | Water Resource Management and Human Rights H | 3-4 |
| ENEC 350 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| ENEC 351 | Coastal Law and Policy | 3 |
| ENEC 380 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENEC 395 | Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies for Undergraduates | 3 |
| or ENEC 396 | Directed Readings | |
| ENEC 462 | Ecosystem Management | 3 |
| ENEC/BUSI 463 | Corporate Environmental Stewardship | 3 |
| ENEC/ENVR 470 | Environmental Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENEC 474 | Sustainable Coastal Management | 3 |
| ENEC/PLCY 480 | Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
| ENEC 485 | Coastal Resource Economics and Policy | 3-4 |
| ENEC 491 | Effective Environmental Communication | 3 |
| ENEC 492 | Social Science Research Methods | 3 |
| ENEC/MEJO 565 | Environmental Storytelling | 3 |
| ENEC 580 | Environmental Markets: Science and Economics | 3 |
| ENEC 581 | Water Resource Planning and Policy Analysis | 3 |
| ENEC/ENVR/PLAN/PLCY 585 | American Environmental Policy | 3 |
| ENEC 586 | Water Quality Policies and Planning | 3 |
| ENEC/PLAN 641 | Watershed Planning | 3 |
| ENEC 675 | Environmental Communication and the Public Sphere | 3 |
| ENEC 685 | Environmental and Resource Economics | 3 |
| ENEC 693H | Honors Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies 1 | 3 |
| or ENEC 694H | Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | |
| ENEC/PLAN 547 | Energy, Transportation, and Land Use | 3 |
| ENEC/PLCY 372 | Global Environment: Policy Analysis and Solutions | 3 |
| ENEC/PLCY 475 | The Political Economy of Food H | 3 |
| GEOG 237 | Natural Resources | 3 |
| GEOG 435 | Global Environmental Justice | 3 |
| GEOG 470 | Political Ecology: Geographical Perspectives | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Population, Environment, and Development Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 318 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| ANTH 319 | Global Health | 3 |
| ANTH 439 | Political Ecology | 3 |
| ANTH 459 | Ecological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 539 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| ANTH/ENEC 238 | Human Ecology of Africa | 3 |
| ENEC 266 | Contemporary Africa: Issues in Health, Population, and the Environment | 3 |
| ENEC 325 | Water Resource Management and Human Rights H | 3-4 |
| ENEC 350 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| ENEC 351 | Coastal Law and Policy | 3 |
| ENEC 370 | Agriculture and the Environment H | 3 |
| ENEC 380 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENEC 395 | Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies for Undergraduates | 3 |
| or ENEC 396 | Directed Readings | |
| ENEC 485 | Coastal Resource Economics and Policy | 3-4 |
| ENEC 491 | Effective Environmental Communication | 3 |
| ENEC 492 | Social Science Research Methods | 3 |
| ENEC 580 | Environmental Markets: Science and Economics | 3 |
| ENEC 693H | Honors Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies 1 | 3 |
| or ENEC 694H | Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | |
| ENEC/GEOL 324 | Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems | 3 |
| ENEC/PLCY 520 | Environment and Development | 3 |
| ENVR 600 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| GEOG 222 | Health and Medical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 237 | Natural Resources | 3 |
| GEOG 269 | Human-Environment Interactions in the Galapagos Islands | 3 |
| GEOG/ENEC 437 | Social Vulnerability to Climate Change | 3 |
| GEOG/ENEC 451 | Population, Development, and the Environment | 3 |
| GEOG 452 | Mobile Geographies: The Political Economy of Migration | 3 |
| GEOG 457 | Rural Latin America: Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources H | 3 |
| GEOG 470 | Political Ecology: Geographical Perspectives | 3 |
| PLCY 475 | The Political Economy of Food H | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Environmental Studies Major, B.A.–Sustainability Track
This major is designed for students who wish to pursue business and policy with an interdisciplinary approach to resiliency and sustainability. This track is appropriate for students wishing to pursue graduate or professional studies in business or policy.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ENEC 201 | Introduction to Environment and Society H, F | 4 |
| ENEC 307 | Energy and Material Flows in the Environment and Society | 3 |
| ENEC 330 | Principles of Sustainability | 3 |
| or ENEC 431 | Sustainable Cities: Exploring Ways of Making Cities More Sustainable | |
| ENEC 698 | Capstone: Analysis and Solution of Environmental Problems | 3 |
| or ENEC 694H | Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | |
| One course from each of the Pillars of Sustainability, plus one additional course at the 300-level or above in any pillar (4 courses total): | 12-15 | |
Equity | ||
| Water and Inequality: Anthropological Perspectives | ||
| Political Ecology | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Environmental Values and Valuation | ||
| Water Resource Management and Human Rights H | ||
| Environmental Law and Policy | ||
| Coastal Law and Policy | ||
| Social Vulnerability to Climate Change | ||
| Political Ecology: Geographical Perspectives | ||
| Liberation Geographies: The Place, Politics, and Practice of Resistance | ||
| Living Things, Wilderness, and Ecosystems: An Introduction to Environmental Ethics | ||
| Solving Urban Problems | ||
| Political Economy of Poverty and Inequality | ||
| Public Transportation | ||
| Pedestrian and Bike Transportation | ||
| Social and Economic Justice | ||
Economics | ||
| Sustainable Business and Social Enterprise H | ||
| Environmental Economic Theory | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Corporate Environmental Stewardship | ||
| Energy Economics | ||
| Coastal Resource Economics and Policy | ||
| Environmental Markets: Science and Economics | ||
| Applied Environmental Finance: How to Pay for Environmental Services | ||
Environment | ||
| Introduction to the Environmental Sciences | ||
| Mountain Biodiversity | ||
| Conservation of Biodiversity in Theory and Practice | ||
| Restoration Ecology | ||
| Water in Our World: Introduction to Hydrologic Science and Environmental Problems and Water in Our World Laboratory | ||
| Agriculture and the Environment H | ||
| Mountain Preservation | ||
| Community Design and Green Architecture | ||
| Sustainable Cities: Exploring Ways of Making Cities More Sustainable | ||
| Environmental Life Cycle Assessment | ||
| Ecosystem Management | ||
| Human Impacts on Estuarine Ecosystems | ||
| Energy and the Environment: A Coastal Perspective | ||
| Ecological Processes in Environmental Systems | ||
| Sustainable Energy Systems | ||
| American Environmental Policy | ||
| Introduction to Watershed Systems | ||
| Population, Development, and the Environment | ||
| Energy Resources | ||
| North Carolina Estuaries: Environmental Processes and Problems | ||
| Marine Physiological Ecology | ||
| Marine Phytoplankton | ||
| Coastal and Estuarine Ecology | ||
| Wetland Hydrology | ||
| Energy: Physical Principles and the Quest for Alternatives to Dwindling Oil and Gas | ||
| Energy, Transportation, and Land Use | ||
| Policy Instruments for Environmental Management | ||
| Two courses from one skill area and one additional course from a second skill (3 courses total): | 9-12 | |
Basic Science | ||
| Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratoryand How Cells Function H, F | ||
| Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratoryand Biodiversity H, F | ||
| Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratoryand Ecology and Evolution H, F | ||
| General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory Iand General Descriptive Chemistry IIand Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II F | ||
| General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences and General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
Communications and Research | ||
| Environmental Advocacy | ||
| Internship in Sustainability 2 | ||
or ENEC 493 | Environmental Internship | |
or ENEC 593 | Environmental Practicum | |
| Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies for Undergraduates | ||
or ENEC 396 | Directed Readings | |
| Effective Environmental Communication | ||
| Social Science Research Methods | ||
| Honors Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies 1 | ||
or ENEC 694H | Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | |
| Environmental and Science Journalism H | ||
| Environmental and Science Documentary Television | ||
| Environmental Storytelling | ||
| Communicating Under Pressure: Tools for Effective Communication | ||
GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
| Anthropological Application of GIS | ||
| Landscape Analysis | ||
| Temporal GIS and Space/Time Geostatistics for the Environment and Public Health | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information | ||
| Introduction to Remote Sensing of the Environment | ||
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| Geovisualizing Change | ||
| Geographic Information Science Programming | ||
| Geologic and Oceanographic Applications of Geographical Information Systems | ||
Analytics | ||
| Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics H | ||
| Statistics for Environmental Scientists | ||
| Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy H | ||
| Introduction to Decision Analytics | ||
| Methods of Data Analysis | ||
| Time Series Data Analysis | ||
| Programming and Informatics | ||
| Introduction to Programming and Data Science H | ||
or COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | |
| Systems Fundamentals | ||
| Tools for Information Literacy | ||
| Foundations of Information Science | ||
| Information Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Economics H, F | 4 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus for Business and Social Sciences F | 3 |
| or MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I | |
| Enough General Education and free electives to accumulate at least 120 credit hours. 1 | varies | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
Suggested Program of Study for B.A. Major
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F | 3 | |
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | 4 |
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Economics H, F | 4 |
| ENEC 201 | Introduction to Environment and Society H, F | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Electives or IDEAs in Action Requirements | 3 | |
| Hours | 31 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I F | ||
| General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity F | ||
| ENEC 202 | Introduction to the Environmental Sciences | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | ||
| General Physics II: For Students of the Life Sciences F | ||
| Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta F | ||
| One earth system science core | 3-4 | |
| Two courses from the concentration core | 6 | |
| Electives or IDEAs in Action Requirements | 7 | |
| Hours | 28-29 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Two courses from the environmental skills core | 6 | |
| Two courses from the concentration core | 6 | |
| ECON 400 | Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics H | 4 |
| Electives or IDEAs in Action Requirements | 15 | |
| Hours | 31 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| ENEC 698 | Capstone: Analysis and Solution of Environmental Problems | 3 |
| Remaining concentration course | 3 | |
| Electives or IDEAs in Action Requirements as needed to complete curriculum and a minimum of 120 academic hours | 24 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 120-121 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Suggested Program of Study for the Sustainability Track
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F | 3 | |
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| ENEC 201 | Introduction to Environment and Society H, F | 4 |
| MATH 152 or MATH 231 | Calculus for Business and Social Sciences F or Calculus of Functions of One Variable I | 3 |
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Economics H, F | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Electives or IDEAs in Action Requirements | 7 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| ENEC 330 or ENEC 431 | Principles of Sustainability or Sustainable Cities: Exploring Ways of Making Cities More Sustainable | 3 |
| Two envrionmental skills core courses | 6 | |
| Two pillars of sustainability core courses | 6 | |
| Electives or IDEAs in Action Requirements | 15 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| ENEC 307 | Energy and Material Flows in the Environment and Society | 3 |
| One environmental skills core course | 3 | |
| Two pillars of sustainability core courses | 6 | |
| ECON 400 | Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics H | 4 |
| Electives or IDEAs in Action Requirements | 14 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| ENEC 698 or ENEC 694H | Capstone: Analysis and Solution of Environmental Problems or Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies | 3 |
| Remaining IDEAs in Action courses and free electives to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours | 27 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Dual Bachelor’s–Master’s Degree Program
Four dual bachelor’s–master’s programs are offered:
- Environmental and science communication is a collaboration between the environment, ecology and energy program (E3P) and the School of Journalism and Media;
- Environmental informatics is a collaboration between E3P and the School of Information and Library Science;
- Environmental finance and leadership is a collaboration between E3P and the School of Government;
- Environmental geography is a collaboration between E3P and the Department of Geography.
Each program is designed for students to earn their bachelor’s degree and complete a master’s degree in a professional school in as few as five years. The dual degree in environmental and science communication is approached through the bachelor of arts degree with a major in environmental studies, and students then complete a master’s degree in journalism with a focus on strategic communication. The dual degree in environmental informatics is approached through the bachelor of science degree with a major in environmental science, and students then complete a master’s in information sciences (M.S.I.S.). The dual degree in environmental finance and leadership is approached through either the bachelor of science in environmental science or the bachelor of arts in environmental studies, and students then complete a master of public administration (M.P.A.). The dual degree in environmental geography is is approached through either the bachelor of science in environmental science or the bachelor of arts in environmental studies, and students then complete a master's in geography.
Students may begin taking courses for the graduate degree while in the undergraduate program. In some programs, up to 12 hours of undergraduate credits can also be counted in the graduate degree. Early advising is essential to success in navigating these dual-degree programs. Advisors are available in both units to help students prepare and select courses appropriately to get the most from their education.
Applying for one of the dual-degree programs is a two-step process. It is highly recommended that interested first- and second-year students speak to an advisor early in their college program. Students must submit a conditional application to most programs no later than their junior year to ensure that they will receive preference in registering for courses. Students must formally apply to the program through The Graduate School in their senior year. The GRE is not required for applications from current UNC–Chapel Hill students for the dual degrees in environmental science and communication, nor for the dual degrees in environmental geography; for other dual degrees students should check with their advisors about GRE requirements. For complete information on the application process and curriculum requirements, please go to the specific website listed above for the dual-degree program of interest.
In addition to the four dual-degree programs specific to collaborations with E3P, there are other dual-degree undergraduate/graduate programs developed by other UNC departments and colleges. Programs of interest include the Department of City and Regional Planning for a Master's in City and Regional Planning (M.C.R.P.), the Department of Public Policy for a Master's in Public Policy (M.P.P.), and the Gillings School of Global Public Health for a range of public health-related master's programs.
Special Opportunities in Environmental Science and Studies
Honors in Environmental Science or Studies
Students in either the B.S. or B.A. degree program may participate in honors research leading to graduation with honors or highest honors. This distinction is earned by participation in honors research (ENEC 693H) and culminates in ENEC 694H, thesis writing and defense. Students should follow the guidelines established by Honors Carolina and meet with the faculty honors advisor, Dr. Geoff Bell, to ensure that appropriate requirements are fulfilled. (Requirements can be found on the Honors Program website). Honors students can use three credit hours of ENEC 693H (research) or ENEC 694H (thesis), but not both courses, to fulfill a concentration requirement.
Departmental Involvement
The Carolina Environmental Student Alliance (CESA) is an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to uniting the environmental interests of students across campus. Participation is open to all students and community members with an interest in the environment.
Experiential Education
Possibilities for experiential education include APPLES service-learning courses (ENEC 593), Coral Reef Ecology and Management (ENEC 259), Sierra Nevada Program (ENEC 208), internships (ENEC 393, ENEC 493), research (ENEC 395, ENEC 396, ENEC 698), and honors research (ENEC 693H, ENEC 694H). Additionally, a series of experiential education field sites is available in North Carolina and around the world where students may take coursework and conduct research for a semester. Fall semester field sites are offered in North Carolina at Highlands Biological Station (mountain/ecology), the Institute for Marine Sciences (marine ecology/geology), and the Coastal Studies Institute/Outer Banks (coastal policy and economics). Spring semester field sites are offered on the UNC campus (Sustainable Triangle field site) and in Thailand (energy and pollution). The Thailand field site experience incorporates part of the following summer as well. Summer programs are also offered in the Galapagos via UNC's Center for Galapagos Studies. Contact our advisors about other opportunities. Faculty members often arrange Burch Program summer educational trips to such locations as Australia (conservation, restoration, and natural resource management), Siberia, Russia (ecology and anthropology), the Sierra Nevadas (ecology and physical geography), and northern Europe (energy, sustainability, and communication).
Internships
Students are encouraged to apply for paid or unpaid internships in local, state, national, and international environmental organizations. Internship opportunities can be found through the Ecostudio Internship Incubator website. These internships provide valuable practical experience, and some may be conducted for academic credit. Students interested in academic credit should contact the director of undergraduate studies, Dr. Amy Cooke, or the Ecostudio, to obtain the required application for credit before the term begins.
Study Abroad
Exchange and other study abroad programs are available through the UNC Study Abroad Office. At some locations students may take courses for UNC credit, such as some field sites listed above. Students may take courses at other universities during study abroad and apply for transfer credit as well. We encourage students to participate in study abroad during their career at Carolina.
Undergraduate Awards
Undergraduates may be considered for the Watts and Betsy Carr Awards, Mary and Watts Hill Jr. Awards, and Robert Alonzo Winston Scholarships.
Undergraduate Research
All students are encouraged (but not required) to complete an independent or team research project. Such projects introduce students to the tools needed for graduate study. They also provide an important opportunity for working directly with the world-class environmental faculty members and graduate students at UNC–Chapel Hill, as well as in the many environmental organizations in the Research Triangle. The Triangle area contains one of the largest collections of environmental organizations and expertise in the world, providing unique opportunities for students to conduct research on an immense range of topics from fundamental scientific research to policy applications. Students interested in obtaining course credit for research should speak with either Dr. Geoff Bell (honors advisor) or Dr. Amy Cooke (director of undergraduate studies) to ensure all the requirements and appropriate paperwork has been approved within the first week of classes.
Department Programs
Majors
- Environmental Studies Major, B.A.
- Environmental Science Major, B.S.
- Dual Bachelor's-Master's Degree Programs
Minors
Graduate Programs
Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program
3202 Murray Hall, CB# 3275
(919) 962-1270
