Combined Major

Biology-Environmental Studies Major

Department/Program

Total credit requirements for a Biology-Environmental Studies major: 66 (including 27 credits in Biology, 14 credits in supporting Science, and 25 credits in required coursework for all Environmental Studies majors)

 

Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors

  • Required Courses
    • Introductory Coursework: Environmental Studies 120 and 207
    • Foundation Coursework: Fulfill the following requirements for the two areas outside of your area of concentration (arts and humanities, natural and physical sciences, or social sciences).
      • Environmental Arts and Humanities: Take two elective courses from the list below.
      • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Take 7 credits in elective courses from the list below. Credits must come from at least two departments, and include at least one course with a lab.
      • Environmental Social Sciences: Take two elective courses from the list below.
    • Interdisciplinary Coursework: Take one interdisciplinary elective from the list below.
    • Senior Coursework: Environmental Studies 479
  • Additional Requirements
    • Fulfill all of the requirements for a major in a specific area of concentration, chosen from:
      • Environmental Arts and Humanities: Art-Environmental Studies or Environmental Humanities
      • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Biology-Environmental Studies, Chemistry-Environmental Studies, Geology-Environmental Studies, or Physics-Environmental Studies
      • Environmental Social Sciences: Anthropology-Environmental Studies, Economics-Environmental Studies, History-Environmental Studies, Politics-Environmental Studies, or Sociology-Environmental Studies
  • Senior Requirements
    • Environmental Studies 479
    • Further requirements as specified by the chosen major
  • Honors
    • Specified within each major
  • Notes
    • Up to 8 transfer credits may be applied to a major in Environmental Studies.
    • No courses taken P-D-F can be applied toward the major.

Requirements for Biology-Environmental Studies Majors

  • Complete the Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors (25 Credits)
  • Required Biology Courses
    • Biology 101, 101L, 102, and 102L
    • 3 credits of Biology 490 or 498
    • Biology 499
    • Upper-level electives (at least 3 credits must be taken at the 200-level before proceeding to coursework at the 300-level):
      • Three credits in Molecular/Cell Biology
      • Four credits in Organismal Biology
      • Eight credits in Ecology/Evolution
  • Required Supporting Science Courses
    • Chemistry 125, 126, 135, and 136; or 140
    • Chemistry 245
    • Mathematics 124 or 125; or a course in statistics (Mathematics 128 or 247, Economics 227, Psychology 210, or Sociology 208)
  • Senior Requirements
    • 3 credits of Biology 490 or 498
    • Biology 499
    • One-hour oral exam and a passing score on the senior written exam
  • Honors
    • Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program.
    • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
    • Chair of the department will notify the Registrar of students attaining honors no later than the beginning of Week 12.
    • An acceptable copy of the Honors Thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
  • Notes
    • Courses in Physics are recommended.
Item #
Title
Credits
6 - 8
6 - 8
3 - 4
3
4
8
Sub-Total Credits
30-35
Total Credits
66