Environmental Studies Option

This option is designed for students interested in developing a broad understanding of environmental issues from scientific and public policy perspectives. In addition to required foundations courses (BIOB 170IN, ERTH 101IN, GPHY 121D, STAT 216Q, and PHL 322 or HSTA 470), students select 21 credits each from approved list of science and public policy courses. Twelve credits of science and of public policy must be upper division courses (300 or 400 level).  BIOB 170IN, ERTH 101INSTAT 216Q, and LS 499R may overlap with Core.  Proposed substitutions must be submitted in writing to the program advisor or director.

Freshman YearCredits
FallSpring
LS 101US - Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing3  
WRIT 101W - College Writing I3  
BIOB 170IN - Principles of Biological Diversity4  
University Core3  
Electives2  
ERTH 101IN - Earth System Sciences  4
GPHY 121D - Human Geography  3
Public Policy Electives (see below)  6
Year Total: 15 13
Sophomore YearCredits
FallSpring
LS 301 - Integrative Seminar1  
Liberal Studies Requirements6  
Public Policy Electives (see below)3  
University Core3  
Electives3  
STAT 216Q - Introduction to Statistics  3
Liberal Studies Requirements  6
Natural Science Electives (see below)  3
University Core  3
Year Total: 16 15
Junior YearCredits
FallSpring
LS 301 - Integrative Seminar1  
PHL 322 - Philosophy & Envirnmntl Ethics3  
Natural Science Electives (see below)3  
Public Policy Electives (see below)3  
University Core3  
Electives2  
Natural Science Electives (see below)  6
Public Policy Electives (see below)  6
Electives  3
Year Total: 15 15
Senior YearCredits
FallSpring
LS 301 - Integrative Seminar1  
Natural Science Electives (see below)6  
Public Policy Electives (see below)6  
Electives3  
LS 499R - Senior Capstone   4
Natural Science Electives (see below)  3
Public Policy Electives (see below)  3
Electives  5
Year Total: 16 15
Total Program Credits: 120

Per MSU requirements for the degree, a minimum of 42 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. 

Natural Sciences Electives to be chosen from

ANSC 491Special Topics1-4
BIOB 420Evolution3
BIOE 103CSEnvironmental Science and Society3
BIOE 370General Ecology 3
BIOE 405Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology3
BIOE 416Alpine Ecology3
BIOE 421Yellowstone Wildlife Ecology3
BIOE 427RNResearch in Freshwater Ecology3
BIOE 428Freshwater Ecology3
BIOE 440RConservation Biology3
BIOO 162CSInsects and Human Society3
BIOO 220General Botany3
CHMY 143College Chemistry II4
CHMY 153Honors College Chemistry II4
ENSC 110Land Resources and Environmental Sciences3
ENSC 245INSoils3
ENSC 272CS Water Resources3
ENSC 444Watershed Hydrology3
ENSC 454Landscape Pedology3
ENSC 460Soil Remediation3
ENSC 461Restoration Ecology3
ERTH 212RNYellowstone: Scientific Lab4
ERTH 303Weather and Climate3
ERTH 307Principles of Geomorphology4
ERTH 432RSurface Water Resources3
GEO 103CSIntro to Envrmntl Geology4
GEO 105INOceanography3
GEO 420Hydrogeology3
GPHY 411Biogeography3
GPHY 426Remote Sensing3
GPHY 441RMountain Geography4
HORT 105Introduction to Horticulture3
HORT 345Market Gardening3
NRSM 101Natural Resource Conservation3
NRSM 102Montana Range Plants1
NRSM 240Natural Resource Ecology3
NRSM 330Fire Ecology and Mgmt3
NRSM 353Grazing Ecology and Management3
NRSM 455Riparian Ecology & Management3
WILD 201Intro to Fish and Wildlife1
WILD 438Wildlife Habitat Ecology3
Up to 12 credits required in a minor or in a second degree program may be applied toward the Natural Science and Public Policy electives.

Public Policy electives to be chosen from

AGBE 210ISEconomics of Ag Business3
AGBE 337Agricultural Law3
AGSC 465RHealth, Agriculture, Poverty4
BMGT 406Negotiation/Dispute Resolution3
ECHM 205CSEnergy and Sustainability3
ECNS 101ISEconomic Way of Thinking3
ECNS 132Econ & the Environment3
ECNS 317Economic Development3
ECNS 332Econ of Natural Resources3
GPHY 141DGeography of World Regions3
GPHY 284 Intro to GIS Science & Cartog 3
GPHY 321Urban Geography3
GPHY 322Economic Geography3
GPHY 326Geography of Energy Resources3
GPHY 329Environment and Society3
GPHY 365Geographical Planning3
GPHY 384Adv GIS and Spatial Analysis3
GPHY 402Water and Society3
HSTA 468History of Yellowstone3
HSTA 470American Environmental History3
HSTR 484World Environmental History3
LS 103Gateway to Sustainability Studies3
LS 301Integrative Seminar1-3
LS 450Evolution and Public Opinion3
NRSM 421Holistic Thought/Mgmt4
NRSM 430Natural Resource Law3
PSCI 210ISIntroduction to American Government3
PSCI 347The U.S. Congress and the Legislative Process3
PSCI 362Natural Resource Policy3
PSCI 436Politics of Food & Hunger3
RLST 223IHSacrifice, Rite & Ritual3
SFBS 146Introduction to Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems3
SFBS 445RCulinary Marketing: Farm/Table3
SOCI 355Population and Society3
SOCI 470Environmental Sociology3
Up to 12 credits required in a minor or in a second degree program may be applied toward the Natural Science and Public Policy electives.