The B.A. degree program has no prerequisites. The degree requires at least thirteen course credits, consisting of the core requirements, the concentration, and the senior requirement.
Concentration Courses
Students plan their concentration in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. A concentration is defined as six courses that provide depth in a field of interest; four courses should be intermediate and upper level electives from a single department or program, and at least two additional electives from relevant disciplines outside the immediate area of concentration forming a coherent area of study. Common concentrations include energy, biodiversity, climate change, policy, human health, urban planning, food and agriculture, and history. Because students work with the DUS to define the concentration courses that best suit their academic direction, concentration courses vary. Please visit our concentration page to find more detailed recommendations about established concentrations and associated courses.
Senior Seminar and Essay
For the BA degree, students most often complete one term of EVST 496, a colloquium in which they write their senior essay. Students writing the one-term essay must also complete an additional advanced seminar in the environment. Two-term senior research projects require the permission of the DUS. For examples of past senior essay topics and more information about the senior essay process, visit the Student Research section of our website.
- EVST 496 (a and b): Senior Research Project and Colloquium. Independent research under the supervision of members of the faculty, resulting in a senior essay. Students meet with peers and faculty members regularly throughout the fall term to discuss the progress of their research. Projects should offer substantial opportunity for interdisciplinary work on environmental problems.