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Degrees
There are many pathways to a career in sustainability or the environment.
School of Environment & Sustainability
The School of Environment & Sustainability will prepare you for meaningful careers in sustainability and the environment.
Majors
The biology major provides a broad background in biology at all scales of organization, from molecules to cells to organisms to ecological communities.
- Eight departmental units:
- One organismal biology course chosen from Biology 110, 111, 121, 152, 172, or 208.
- One experimental design and statistical analysis course: Biology 247.
- One molecular-to-cellular level course: Biology 289.
- One population-to-ecosystem level biology course chosen from 210, 217, 275 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate), 365, 372, or 375 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate).
- Three additional units of biology courses numbered 200 or above.
- Capstone: one additional unit of biology with the CP designation.
- Three supporting units:
- One unit chosen from Chemistry 117, 150, 220, or 230.
- Two additional units chosen from courses in chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, physics or any of the following courses: Philosophy 100, Anthropology 230, 260, 330.
- Students majoring in biology may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
- Nine departmental units from this list, with at least 1 unit from each of the five branches of chemistry. Chemistry 117 may be used as 1 of the 9 units:
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Two supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115
- Physics 101 or 102
- Students majoring in chemistry may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
The major embodies a scholar-practitioner model in the liberal arts tradition, with the purpose of providing students with a sequence of intellectual, ethical, and practical experiences that lead to a broad, integrated knowledge of youth and education. This knowledge is realized in the practical ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, and adults in schools and other social settings.
Teacher education at Beloit is fully integrated into an academically rigorous major that stresses experiential and interdisciplinary learning, a respect for difference, and critical global perspectives on education and youth issues. The department’s teacher licensing programs are fully accredited by Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction.
*Asterisked courses are required for student teaching.
- Four units from Education and Youth Studies 102, 151, 164, 201.
- Two units from Education and Youth Studies 246, 255*, 256*, 265*, 266*, 276 (may be taken twice), 390.
- Two units from Education and Youth Studies 300*, 306, PRAX 200 (internship in education and youth-related setting, under the supervision of Education and Youth Studies faculty and site-based personnel).
- Capstone: Education and Youth Studies 382.
The environmental biology major provides a broad background in biology with a focus on how organisms interact with environments.
- Seven departmental units:
- One organismal biology course chosen from Biology 110, 111, 121, 152, 172, or 208.
- One experimental design and statistical analysis course: Biology 247.
- One molecular-to-cellular level course: Biology 289.
- One population-to-ecosystem level biology course chosen from 210, 217, 275 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate), 365, 372, or 375 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate).
- Two additional units of biology courses numbered 200 or above.
- Capstone: one additional unit of biology with the CP designation.
- Four supporting units:
- One unit chosen from Chemistry 117, 150, 220, or 230.
- One additional unit chosen from courses in chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, or physics.
- Two additional units with the Environmental Studies prefix (ENVS), Journalism 225 (when topic is environmental writing), or Political Science 255.
- Students majoring in environmental biology may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
- Six units from this list, with at least 1 unit from each of four of the five branches of chemistry. Chemistry 117 may be used as 1 of these 6 units.
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Seven supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115
- Physics 101 or 102
- Biology 110, 111, 121, 152, 172, or 208
- Geology 100 or 110
- Three additional units from economics, environmental studies, interdisciplinary studies, or political science, approved by petition to the department chair.
- In preparation for graduate study or employment in environmental science, additional science, mathematics, and social science courses and at least one summer or semester of experience in an environmental internship or program are strongly recommended.
- Students majoring in environmental chemistry may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.
- Environmental communication and arts (2)
- One unit from “history and theory”: Art History 245; English 190; History 150; Anthropology/Museum Studies 247.
- One unit from “practice”: Art 103, 115, 117, 125, 150, 325; Environmental Studies 287/Spanish 282; Journalism /Media Studies 125; Museum Studies 145; Performing and Applied Arts 106, 112, 114; Theatre and Dance 106, 112, 114; Writing 100.
- Environmental justice and citizenship (2): Two units chosen from Anthropology 100; Economics 199; Political Science 110, 130, 160, 180.
- Environmental sciences (2): Two units chosen from Biology 111, 121, 152, 172, 208, 217; Chemistry 117, 150, 220; Geology 100, 110, 235, 240.
- Four units from environmental core courses, chosen in consultation with the advisor: Anthropology 219; Economics/Environmental Studies 205; Environmental Studies 258, 280-284, 286; History/Environmental Studies 237; Journalism 225 (when topic is environmental writing); Media Studies 105; Media Studies 350/Environmental Studies 260; Philosophy/Environmental Studies 224; Political Science/Environmental Studies 210, 246, 255, 257. An appropriate internship or a course taken as part of domestic off-campus or study abroad may fulfill up to 1 unit of the “core” study.
- Two concentration courses (2): An appropriate internship or a course taken as part of domestic off-campus or study abroad may fulfill up to 1 unit of the “concentration” study, in consultation with the student’s advisor.
- One unit from Studio Art 200, 205, 210, 215, 280, 325; English 205; Interdisciplinary Studies 222; Performing and Applied Arts 280, 351; Theatre and Dance 242, 342, 351.
- One 200-level or higher communications and arts course. May include Environmental Studies 290-294; environmental studies in a foreign language, including French 215, Japanese 280, and Environmental Studies 287/Spanish 282; or a course chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
- Environmental Studies 380 (.5).
- Writing/communication requirement: Writing in environmental studies incorporates the multiple traditions that inform the examination of human/environment interactions. Students are exposed to a variety of writing styles in the natural science, social science, humanities, and interdisciplinary courses required for the major. The capstone course, Environmental Studies 380, provides opportunities for students to explore writing and speaking in ways that communicate to diverse audiences about environmental issues.
The interdisciplinary environmental geology major provides an understanding of how soil, water, and mineral resources form and involves the practical application of geologic principles to environmental problem solving.
- Five and one-half departmental units:
- Geology 100 or 110, 200, 215, and 385 (.5).
- Two from Geology 230, 235, 240.
- Supporting courses (7 units):
- Two from Biology 121, 152; Geology 105, 205, 220, 230, 235, 240, 245 and 251 (as appropriate).
- One from Chemistry 117, 220, 230, 240, 245, 250 or Physics 101, 102.
- One from Biology 247, Mathematics 110 or 115.
- Three from appropriate courses in environmental studies, economics, and political science; such courses must be chosen in consultation with the major advisor.
- Thesis.
- Strongly recommended:
- Proficiency in a spoken foreign language.
- Summer internship or field-intensive program incorporating aspects of environmental geology.
- In preparation for graduate study and professional work in environmental geology, and in consultation with the major advisor, students should elect additional courses in geology and mathematics. In addition, and depending on interests, students should elect additional courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and public policy.
- Writing/communication requirement: The department of geology strives to develop the communication skills of our students. We recognize that complete understanding of any discipline requires the ability to express that understanding in both oral and written form. Geology is a highly visual science; consequently, we also train students to design effective illustrations and figures to convey complex information.
- Our majors learn the skills necessary to compose oral presentations, which are typically accompanied by high-quality slides or computer-generated illustrations; in addition, they learn to write papers using conventions appropriate to geologic inquiry. Many students employ these skills to communicate research findings at professional conferences in the form of oral or poster presentations.
- All 200- and 300-level courses include assignments fashioned to help students communicate professionally through oral presentations and written reports. Such skills are cultivated to a significant degree in our W courses:
- 230: Sedimentology
- 235: Geomorphology
- 325: Tectonics
- Our thesis requirement is designed to develop disciplinary expertise in communication. The following course supports the thesis requirement and is designated W: Geology 385-Thesis Research.
Students majoring in environmental geology may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and/or physics.
- Environmental communication and arts (2)
- One unit from “history and theory”: Art History 245; English 190; History 150; Anthropology/Museum Studies 247.
- One unit from “practice”: Art 103, 115, 117, 125, 150, 325; Journalism/Media Studies125; Museum Studies 145; Performing and Applied Arts 106, 112, 114; Spanish 282/Environmental Studies 287; Theatre and Dance 106, 112, 114; Writing 100.
- Environmental justice and citizenship (2): Two units chosen from Anthropology 100; Economics 199; Political Science 110, 130, 160, 180.
- Environmental sciences (2): Two units chosen from Biology 111, 121, 152, 172, 208, 217; Chemistry 117, 150, 220; Geology 100, 110, 235, 240.
- Four units from environmental core courses, chosen in consultation with the advisor: Anthropology 219; Economics/Environmental Studies 205; Environmental Studies 258, 280-284, 286; History/Environmental Studies 237; Journalism 225 (when topic is environmental writing); Philosophy/Environmental Studies 224; Political Science/Environmental Studies 210, 246, 255, 257. An appropriate internship or a course taken as part of domestic off-campus or study abroad may fulfill up to 1 unit of the “core” study.
- Two concentration courses: An appropriate internship or a course taken as part of domestic off-campus or study abroad may fulfill up to 1 unit of the “concentration” study, in consultation with the student’s advisor.
- One unit from statistics: Anthropology 240; Biology 247; Economics 251; Health and Society/Political Science 201; Mathematics 106; Sociology 205.
- One 200-level or higher justice and citizenship course. May include Environmental Studies 290-294; environmental studies in a foreign language, including French 215, Japanese 280, and Environmental Studies 287/Spanish 282; or a course chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
- Environmental Studies 380 (.5).
- Writing/communication requirement: Writing in environmental studies incorporates the multiple traditions that inform the examination of human/environment interactions. Students are exposed to a variety of writing styles in the natural science, social science, humanities, and interdisciplinary courses required for the major. The capstone course, Environmental Studies 380, provides opportunities for students to explore writing and speaking in ways that communicate to diverse audiences about environmental issues.
The disciplinary geology major provides an understanding of earth processes and the evolution of life forms on Earth.
- Eight and one-half departmental units:
- Geology 100 or 110, 105, 200, 215, and 385 (.5).
- Four units from Geology 205, 210, 220, 230, 235, 240, 245, and 325.
- Supporting courses (3 units):
- Mathematics 110 or 115.
- Physics 101 or 102.
- One chemistry course from 117, 220, 230, 240, or 250.
- Thesis.
- Strongly recommended:
- Proficiency in a spoken foreign language.
- Summer internship or field-intensive program incorporating aspects of geology.
- In preparation for graduate study and professional work in geology, and in consultation with the major advisor, students should elect additional courses in geology and mathematics. In addition, and depending on interests, students should elect additional courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, and physics.
- Writing/communication requirement: The department of geology strives to develop the communication skills of our students. We recognize that complete understanding of any discipline requires the ability to express that understanding in both oral and written form. Geology is a highly visual science; consequently, we also train students to design effective illustrations and figures to convey complex information.
- Our majors learn the skills necessary to compose oral presentations, which are typically accompanied by high-quality slides or computer-generated illustrations; in addition, they learn to write papers using conventions appropriate to geologic inquiry. Many students employ these skills to communicate research findings at professional conferences in the form of oral or poster presentations.
- All 200- and 300-level courses include assignments fashioned to help students communicate professionally through oral presentations and written reports. Such skills are cultivated to a significant degree in our W courses:
- 230: Sedimentology
- 235: Geomorphology
- 325: Tectonics
- Our thesis requirement is designed to develop disciplinary expertise in communication. The following course supports the thesis requirement and is designated W: Geology 385-Thesis Research.
- Our majors learn the skills necessary to compose oral presentations, which are typically accompanied by high-quality slides or computer-generated illustrations; in addition, they learn to write papers using conventions appropriate to geologic inquiry. Many students employ these skills to communicate research findings at professional conferences in the form of oral or poster presentations.
Students majoring in geology may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and/or physics.
- Nine departmental units (5 of which must be taken at Beloit College):
- At least l unit from each of the four subfields:
- U.S. politics: 110, 215, 216, 221, 225.
- Comparative politics: 130, 236, 237, 248, 249, 250, 251, 255, 261, 265, 270, 272, 273.
- International relations: 160, 237, 246, 250, 255, 262, 270, 273, 275.
- Political theory: 180, 280, 285, 287.
- One unit from Political Science 310, 330, 380, 386, or Interdisciplinary Studies 375.
- Four additional units in political science.
- No more than 3 units at the 100-level may count toward the major.
- At least l unit from each of the four subfields:
- Supporting courses (4 units):
- One unit in economics.
- One unit in history.
- Two units from Philosophy 100 (logic), any (non-native) language, or any statistics (including Political Science 201 if taken as a 10th political science unit).
- An experiential learning activity that might include an internship, off-campus study semester, honors project, or research special projects, as approved by the advisor.
- Students are strongly encouraged to develop an area of thematic emphasis in their course of study.
- Writing/communication requirement: Political science majors are expected to be proficient in multiple modes of writing, including the different kinds of work involved in research oriented projects, close textual exegesis, policy analysis, and other forms of writing related to applied politics, such as position papers and reports. Our curriculum is structured with an eye toward introducing students to each of these forms of writing, and graduating seniors should have encountered each of them in fulfilling their major requirements. In addition, our capstone seminars (300-level courses) seek to provide students with a sustained research and writing project.
Minors
The biology minor focuses on the mechanisms by which organisms regulate life processes, grow and develop, reproduce, and behave.
- Five departmental units.
- At least one organismal biology course chosen from: Biology 110, 111, 121, 152, 172, or 208.
- At least one unit of molecular-to-cellular biology chosen from: Biology 208, 215, 237, 256, 257, 260, 275 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate), 289, 300, 340, 345, 347, 360, or 375 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate).
- At least one unit of population-to ecosystem biology chosen from: Biology 210, 217, 365, 372, or 375 (in consultation with advisor, when topic is appropriate).
- One supporting unit chosen from chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, or physics.
Additionally:
- The minor is not open to majors in biology, biochemistry, or applied chemistry (with biology as a complementary discipline).
- No more than 2 units taken to satisfy requirements for a major or another minor may count toward the biology minor.
- No course may satisfy two requirements for the minor.
- Five units selected from Chemistry 117 or the five branches of chemistry.
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Biology/Chemistry 260 and 300 may not be used to satisfy both biology and chemistry requirements.
*Asterisked courses are required for student teaching.
- Two units from Education and Youth Studies 102, 151, 164, 201.
- Two units from Education and Youth Studies 246, 255*, 256*, 265*, 266*, 276, 390.
- One unit from Education and Youth Studies 300, 306.
- One unit of introductory economics or political science from Economics 199; Political Science 110, 130, 160, 180.
- One unit of introductory natural science from Biology 111, 121, 152, 172, 208; Chemistry 117, 150; Geology 100, 110.
- Four units of environmentally related courses from Anthropology 219; Economics/Environmental Studies 205; Environmental Studies 258, 280, 380; History/Environmental Studies 237; Journalism 225 (when topic is environmental writing); Philosophy/Environmental Studies 224; Political Science 255/Environmental Studies 256; Political Science/Environmental Studies 257; or up to 1 unit of internship or research experience chosen in consultation with an environmental studies advisor.
- Five departmental units:
- Geology 100 or 110.
- Four additional units from 100-, 200-, or 300-level geology courses, including no more than one non-lab course.
- Declared minors in geology are invited to elect Geology 171 and are encouraged to participate in the spring field excursion.
- Six units of political science, with no more than 3 at the 100-level.