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Environmental Studies

This guide points to selected resources in the area of Environmental Studies. Information about Washington University and its libraries is also found here.

Environmental Biology Major

The Environmental biology major will provide students with courses and research experiences that will poise them to become scientific leaders that address our most pressing environmental problems, such as: how do we feed the world without destroying the environment? How do we conserve and restore biodiversity? How do we enhance our ability to capture and store solar energy so that we can decrease our dependency on fossil fuels? 

In the Biology department, we have research strengths in plant development, genetics, physiology, biochemistry and genetic engineering.  Biodiversity is vital to human existence and is being destroyed at an unprecedented rate.  There is a growing scientific need to understand how biodiversity is created, how it responds to disturbance and how it can be restored.  Our advanced coursework and research experiences at the Tyson Research Center will prepare undergraduate students for research in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation. Understanding how plants, algae and bacteria capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy in an efficient manner is key to creating advanced biofuels and man-made systems that provide new ways to collect and store solar energy.  Undergraduates have the opportunity to take several advanced courses on these topics, and work in cutting-edge labs funded by the Department of Energy.

This major has been approved by the Biology department as a special major within the department.  It currently requires 60-61 credits. 

Environmental Biology Courses

Required Courses

One of the following Chemistry courses offered at the 200+ level

One of the following courses in Statistics, GIS

One Biology Lab Course

We recommend:

Choose one of the following BIOL 300+ courses (Area A or B in Biology)

Choose one of the following BIOL 300+ (Area C in Biology)

Plus 1 more Bio 300+ course in any area (could include BIOL 500 - Independent Work)

One of the following EPSC 300+ courses