BS or BA MAJOR & MINOR

What You’ll Study

Environmental studies is available as major or a minor. If you decide to major, you’ll declare your choice to pursue it as either a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science during your sophomore or junior year.

This interdisciplinary major starts with core courses in biology, ecology, chemistry, math, and environmental ethics. Then you’ll select from a wide range of courses in a concentration and elective area based on your interests.

Concentrations

On top of the core environmental studies courses, you’ll choose one of the following concentrations for the bulk of your coursework in the major (or design one of your own with the help of your faculty advisor).

Elective Areas

You’ll also choose elective courses from topic areas such as:

  • Natural science systems
  • Managing natural resources
  • Creating sustainable communities
  • Education and outreach
  • Communication and arts
  • Spirituality and conservation

Honors Program in Natural Sciences

Environmental studies majors can opt to participate in the honors program, which grants honors recognition on your degree. To graduate with honors, you must earn a 3.5 GPA, complete an independent research project or internship, and present your work to the faculty.

What does "environmental studies" mean, anyway?

This interdisciplinary major might be for you if you’re interested in the interaction of subjects like:

  • Forestry
  • Agriculture
  • Conservation biology
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Soil science
  • Economics and business
  • Environmental policy
  • Education
  • Park interpretation
  • Community activism
  • Journalism
  • Art and the environment
  • Urban gardening

Explore Classes in This Program

ENS 201

Applied Ecology

Take your lessons out into the real world by applying them to today’s most pressing environmental problems. Emphasis is on field work for topics like composting, wetlands, water pollution, fish and wildlife management, and environmental impacts.

PHI 252

Environmental Ethics

Gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and other beings that inhabit the natural world. Includes philosophies like the Land Ethic, Deep Ecology, Ecofeminism, and some Eastern approaches.

REL 213

Religion and Environmental Justice

Explore the environmental justice movements of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand, East African religions in Kenya, and other spaces where the protection of our natural world and spiritual beliefs intersect.

Still curious? See the Curriculum
Meet Our Faculty

As I field biologist, I always say our best laboratories are right out the back door of the science building. Within a 5 minute walk we have 3 ponds, a trout stream and 600 acres of Forest.

Mark Brenner, Ph.D.
Meet Mark Brenner See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Mark Brenner
Mark Brenner, Ph.D.
Dave Ellum

In today's world it is not enough to just know things, we need people who can also do things. Warren Wilson students take joy in accomplishing both — incredibly well.

Dave Ellum, Ph.D.
Meet Dave Ellum See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Dave Ellum
Dave Ellum, Ph.D.
Liesl Peterson Erb

I am more guide than teacher; I love guiding intelligent, passionate students as they help change the world not just after they graduate, but as part of their educational experience.

Liesl Peterson Erb, Ph.D.
Meet Liesl Peterson Erb See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Liesl Peterson Erb
Liesl Peterson Erb, Ph.D.
Amy Knisely

Teaching and learning at Warren Wilson is not for the faint of heart! And some days I wake up tired. But the strong-hearted, active-minded students and educators, busy together in this beautiful valley and beyond, send me home energized every day.

Amy L. Knisley, Ph.D.
Meet Amy L. Knisley See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Amy Knisely
Amy L. Knisley, Ph.D.

The best part of the job is watching students graduate with a strong portfolio of experiences and find meaningful work connecting people to places.

Mallory McDuff, Ph.D.
Meet Mallory McDuff See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Mallory McDuff, Ph.D.

I believe my responsibility is not only as an instructor but as a mentor and a resource for the future. My classes are not just an experience with a grade; they are an opportunity to build social capital.

Joshua Earl Arnold
Meet Joshua Earl Arnold See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Joshua Earl Arnold

Everywhere you look there's a story to be told here at Wilson. It's my job to help guide my students to see these stories and learn how to best share them with the world.

Peter Erb, MA
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Peter Erb, MA

Warren Wilson has some of the most accessible experiential learning opportunities of any college campus in the country. It is one of the primary reasons why I wanted to be here as a faculty member, particularly when the forest is a stone’s throw away from the classroom!

Eric Griffin
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Eric Griffin, Ph.D
Mark Brenner

Hands-on, All-in

Warren Wilson integrates your academics with work and community engagement. Engaging all your passions and interests results in an education with meaning and real professional experience.
Break Trip
Lead a Break Trip 
Students work with communities in Appalachia, Virginia and Whitesville, WV to fight mountaintop removal
Jessica Culpepper
Taking a Stand 
Alumna Jessica Culpepper, '04, writes about climate change
A DEET Alternative 
Alumna Brooke Bissinger, '00, creates nontoxic alternatives to DEET
Ecodorm
A National Model 
Live in EcoDorm, a national model for res halls
Wildlife Certification
Certified
Our campus is a Certified Wildlife Habitat
Ben Linthicum
Udall Scholar 
Alumnus Ben Linthicum, '16, awarded Udall Scholarship
Kayak
Work 
The Outdoor Adventure Crew takes advantage of our location
Exchange Semester 
Study agriculture at the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece
Salamander
Fieldwork Experiences

Get into the Great Outdoors

Environmental studies gets you out into the forests, the fields, and the community. Many classes and research projects have some type of outdoor component. The college farm is a field laboratory for tasks like testing soil and water quality. And there aren’t many other majors with classes like kayaking and rock climbing on the requirements list.

Like this program? You might like these too.

Conservation Biology Ecological Forestry Environmental Education Environmental Policy & Justice Sustainable Agriculture Water and Earth Resources