Environmental Studies Structured Concentration, Multidisciplinary Studies, BS

Program Director: Beth Bee (205-A Brewster Building; 252-328-5197; beeb@ecu.edu)

The Multidisciplinary Studies, BS offers a structured concentration in environmental studies. Students fulfilling the degree requirements are awarded a Multidisciplinary, BS.

Environmental studies is a multidisciplinary academic field that studies the relationship between humans and their environment. The environmental studies structured concentration offers courses that integrate social and scientific understandings of environmental issues, practical responses to environmental problems, and the narratives and values that shape interactions with nature and the natural world. The curriculum includes courses from a range of disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities that are focused on environmental topics. Majors develop research, technical, and critical thinking skills and apply their knowledge and skills to faculty-mentored research experience opportunities and thesis projects or internships. Study abroad coursework may also be used to satisfy requirements for the major but must be approved by the program director. Students should work with their advisor to develop a program of study to ensure that they complete any necessary prerequisite requirements for upper-level courses. Additional courses beyond those listed may be approved by the program director if they contribute significantly to the student’s knowledge and skills regarding environmental studies.

To be accepted into the program, students must have completed 30 s.h. with a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.

For more information about the structured concentration in environmental studies, please contact the program director or visit the program website.

The Multidisciplinary Studies, BS (environmental studies structured concentration) requires 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

MATH 1065 - College Algebra or higher approved general education math course

2. Core - 42 s.h.

A minimum of 24 s.h. from sections 2 and 3 must be above 2999.

a. Research and seminar courses (6 s.h.)

All research and seminar courses require a faculty mentor and approval of the program director. Choose a minimum of 6 s.h. from the following courses:

b. Approved courses in the environmental sciences structured concentration (36 s.h.)

Focus area - 21 s.h.

Select one primary area of focus (12 s.h.) and one secondary area of focus (9 s.h.) and then choose courses from the following:

Earth and environment:

Environment and society:

Methods or techniques course - 3 s.h.

Choose one course from the following:

Natural sciences - 6 s.h.

Choose two courses with different prefixes from the following:

Social sciences and humanities - 6 s.h.

3. Minor or approved structured electives - 18 s.h.

A minimum of 24 s.h. from sections 2 and 3 must be above 2999.

4. Electives to complete requirements for graduation

ECU Minor Requirements Policy

The university’s policy regarding double counting credits between major and minor can be found in the Academic Advisement, Progression and Support Services section of this catalog. See “Minor Requirements”.

No more than 9 credit hours required for satisfying a major can count towards the credits required for satisfying a minor, excluding specified cognates (required courses but outside of the major discipline).
Individual programs may have additional restrictions.
A student may not major and minor in the same discipline as defined by the program’s 6-digit CIP code.

If you have questions, please reach out to your program coordinator or director.