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Passionate about protecting Earth's natural resources and paving the way for future generations through protection, research and development? Environmental studies may be the best major for you.

Why Saint Martin's University

The environmental studies program at Saint Martin's is a truly interdisciplinary program. Students have an opportunity to focus on a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree. In each of these pathways, students gain experience in a broad spectrum of environmental topics and service learning opportunities.

  • Students participate in research and internships as a fundamental part of the major.
  • Individualized tailoring of the student’s program of study to prepare them for graduate study, or careers in science and/or policy.
  • Strong commitment to an interdisciplinary approach with faculty from a variety of areas (Biology, English, Chemistry, Anthropology, History, Business, etc.).
  • Opportunities for collaborations with local businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and universities.
  • Proximity to natural resources and conservation sites, with opportunities to examine the interactions and collaborations between public and private organizations focused on environmental issues.

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The Environmental Studies program at Saint Martin's incorporates the Benedictine tradition of creating sustainable communities of peace for 1500 years, and benefits from our close proximity to the Washington State Department of Ecology and the state government in Olympia. We are also able to take advantage of the natural resources located immediately on our campus and close by in Western Washington.

The B.S. track is a degree centered in Biology and the fundamental scientific processes governing the environment. The degree is rooted by a broad selection of courses in ethics, service learning, social science, economics, policy, and mathematics. Additional tracks may be designed in both chemistry and mathematical modeling.

The B.A. track is a degree centered in policy and social justice issues surrounding the environment. Students receive a critical foundation in science concepts and an expansive selection of electives allows a student to focus on areas of ethics, service, economics, policy, or food sustainability

Graduates of the University's environmental studies program will be prepared for avariety of careers in environmental sciences including:

  • Research and development
  • Biotechnology and bioinformatics
  • State and federal government
  • Botany
  • Marine biology
  • Genetics
  • Agriculture
  • Environmental protection

 

For a complete list of professional applications, visit "What Can I Do With This Major?". For additional information about how Saint Martin’s can help you find the career for you, visit our Career Center.

Arts and Sciences at Saint Martin's University

Who to Contact

Aaron Coby, Ph.D.

Aaron Coby, Ph.D.

Interim Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Professor, Biology and Environmental Studies,
College of Arts and Sciences
360-688-2663

Environmental studies program requirements

Bachelor of Arts

  • University core requirements
  • 16 semester hours of lower division courses
  • 15 semester hours of upper division courses
  • 21 semester hours of elective courses

Bachelor of Science

  • University core requirements
  • 34 semester hours lower division courses
  • 16 semester hours upper division courses
  • 15 semester hours elective courses

Minor

  • 7 semester hours of lower division courses
  • 12 semester hours of elective courses

2020-2021 academic catalog

Popular environmental studies courses

  • Climate change
  • Global environment politics
  • Environmental humanities
  • Environmental law
  • Environmental social issues

Faculty

Jeff Birkenstein, Ph.D.

"There is no hiding in my classes. Students are in the middle of it. Students not only read great texts, but they create knowledge. They write and discover new things about themselves, about their topics. There are many reasons to attend a smaller school, and this is chief among them."

Jeff Birkenstein, Ph.D.
Professor, english
 College of Arts and Sciences