Environmental Studies, B.A.
View ChecksheetMinimum Total Credit Hours: 120
Minimum Upper-Division Hours: 40
Overall GPA - Combined and OU: 2.25
Major GPA - Combined and OU: 2.25
Program Code: B406
Major Requirements
A Grade of C or better must be earned in each course counted for major credit.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| GIS 2023 | Introduction to Spatial Thinking and Computer Mapping | 3 |
| GEOG 3023 | Principles of Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 3213 | Principles of Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 4313 | Interpreting Society and Environment: Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| GEOG 4893 | Research and Professional Development | 3 |
| GEOG 4953 | Capstone | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| ENST 2813 | Environmental Studies Cornerstone | 3 |
| ENST 3891 | Environmental Studies Learning Community (three semesters) 1 | 3 |
| ENST 3893 | Environmental Studies Research Project | 3 |
| or ENST 3800 | Environmental Internship | |
| GEOG 3443 | Environment and Society | 3 |
| GEOG 4033 | Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Law and the Environment | ||
| Introduction to Water Law | ||
| Principles of Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Conservation | ||
| Major Electives | ||
| Choose 12 hours of 3000-4000 level Environment-oriented courses with a minimum of one course from three of the following five categories: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Applied Disciplines, or Interdisciplinary. | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
General Education and College Requirements
Courses for fulfillment of General Education and college requirements must be from the approved General Education course lists at http://www.ou.edu/content/gened/courses.html. Courses graded P/NP will not apply.
MINIMUM OF 40 HOURS REQUIRED FOR UNIVERSITY-WIDE GENERAL EDUCATION
At least three hours of Upper-Division General Education coursework must be completed outside the major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Area I: Symbolic and Oral Communication | ||
| English Composition (6 hours) | ||
| ENGL 1113 | Principles of English Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 1213 | Principles of English Composition | 3 |
| or EXPO 1213 | Expository Writing | |
| Language (0-13 hours in the same language) | ||
| The college requirement cannot be met by high school coursework. | ||
| Beginning Course | 0-5 | |
| Beginning Course, continued | 0-5 | |
| Intermediate Course (2000 level) 1 | 0-3 | |
| Mathematics (3 hours) | ||
| Choose one course from the General Education Mathematics list | 3 | |
| Core Area II: Natural Science (7 hours, 2 courses) | ||
| Choose two courses, each from different disciplines, including one with laboratory component | 7 | |
| Core Area III: Social Science (6 hours) | ||
| P SC 1113 | American Federal Government | 3 |
| Choose one course from General Education Social Science list | 3 | |
| Core Area IV: Arts and Humanities | ||
| Artistic Forms (3 hours) | ||
| Choose one course from the General Education Artistic Forms list | 3 | |
| Western Culture (6 hours) | ||
| HIST 1483 | United States to 1865 | 3 |
| or HIST 1493 | United States, 1865 to the Present | |
| Choose one course from the General Education Western Culture list (excluding HIST 1483/1493) | 3 | |
| World Culture (3 hours) | ||
| Choose one course from the General Education World Culture list | 3 | |
| Core Area V: First Year Experience (3 hours) | ||
| AGSC 1513 | Where the Land Meets the Sky 2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 37-50 | |
- 1
College Requirement for Bachelor of Arts: One language course at the intermediate level or demonstrated competency at that level. The college requirement cannot be met by high school coursework.
- 2
If a student transfers into the program after already taking an approved OU FYE course, they will not be required to take AGSC 1513.
Additional College B.A. Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Social Science Electives (3 hours must be Upper-Division) | ||
| Choose one course from Arts & Humanities General Education list 1 | 3 | |
| Choose one course from the Social Science General Education list 1 | 3 | |
| Additional Natural Science | ||
| GEOG 1114 | Physical Geography | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 10 | |
Free Electives
Electives to bring total applicable hours to the minimum total required for the degree.
Information Concerning General Rules, Regulations and Minimum Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees
Total Hours: A minimum of 120 semester hours acceptable toward graduation must be completed.
Upper-Division Hours: A minimum of 40 upper- division semester hours acceptable toward graduation must be completed. OU courses numbered 3000 or above are upper- division. Transfer work is counted as lower-division or upper-division credit depending on the level at which it was offered at the institution where it was earned. Two-year college work is accepted only as lower-division credit.
Senior Institution Hours: A minimum of 60 semester hours applied toward graduation must be earned at senior (4-year) institutions.
Residency:
- A minimum of two semesters must be spent in residence in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences.
- At least 36 of the last 48 hours must be completed in residence at OU.
Individual Studies: No more than six hours of independent study or directed readings may be applied toward degree requirements.
Grade Point Averages: Students must earn a minimum overall 2.25 for each of the following: Combined Retention GPA (all college grades), OU Retention GPA, GPA for all major courses, and GPA for all major courses taken at OU.
Suggested Semester Plan of Study
This plan shows one possible grouping of courses that would allow students to graduate in four years. Please refer to the front of the degree checksheet for official requirements. Students must consult with College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and/or Department of Geography academic advisers to verify that courses selected each semester fulfill the recommended plan and satisfy University, College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences, and Environmental Studies major requirements.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1113 | Principles of English Composition (Core I) | 3 |
| General Education Math (Core I) 1 | 3 | |
| AGSC 1513 | Where the Land Meets the Sky | 3 |
| Artistic Forms (Core IV) 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213 | Principles of English Composition (Core I) or Expository Writing | 3 |
| P SC 1113 | American Federal Government (Core III) | 3 |
| Social Science (Core III) | 3 | |
| World Culture (Core IV) 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Beginning Language (Core I) | 5 | |
| GEOG 1114 | Physical Geography | 4 |
| ENST 2813 | Environmental Studies Cornerstone | 3 |
| ENST 3891 | Environmental Studies Learning Community | 1 |
| Western Culture (Core IV) 1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Beginning Language Ctd (Core I) | 5 | |
| Gen Ed Natural Science Lab (Core II) 1 | 4 | |
| GIS 2023 | Introduction to Spatial Thinking and Computer Mapping | 3 |
| ENST 3891 | Environmental Studies Learning Community | 1 |
| HIST 1483 or HIST 1493 | United States to 1865 (Core IV) or United States, 1865 to the Present | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOG 3023 | Principles of Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 3443 | Environment and Society | 3 |
| ENST 3891 | Environmental Studies Learning Community | 1 |
| Natural Science (Core II) 1 | 3 | |
| Intermediate Language | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOG 3213 | Principles of Human Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 4313 | Interpreting Society and Environment: Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| ENST 3893 | Environmental Studies Research Project | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Law and the Environment | ||
| Introduction to Water Law | ||
| Principles of Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Conservation | ||
| College Elective (Humanities or Social Science) 1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GEOG 4893 | Research and Professional Development | 3 |
| GEOG 4033 | Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change | 3 |
| Major Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Major Elective 2 | 3 | |
| College Elective (Humanities or Social Science), Upper-division 1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEOG 4953 | Capstone | 3 |
| Major Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Major Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
To be chosen from the University-Wide General Education Approved Course List. Three hours of general education must be upper-division outside the major.
- 2
Choose 12 hours of 3000-4000 level Environment-oriented courses with a minimum of one course each from three of the following five categories: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Applied Discipline or Interdisciplinary. Requires advisor approval.