Environmental Studies Major (BA)

Department of Natural Sciences

New Major effective Fall 2026

Environmental issues including climate change, sustainable and equitable resource management, and conservation and loss of biodiversity are among the world’s greatest challenges. Addressing these issues requires connecting the science regarding potential responses and associated outcomes to solutions that are feasible and fair given economic, political, and cultural contexts.  Leaders in these areas thus require a solid science background and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders to 1) place options for managing environmental issues in a larger historical and cultural context, 2) communicate options clearly to stakeholders, and 3) implement and manage ongoing environmental (e.g., restoration, conservation) actions.

The major in Environmental Studies will allow students to pursue an interdisciplinary degree that is rooted in the relevant science but focused on the ability to add a broader context to scientific findings, allowing students to build bridges between sectors and disciplines. Students in the BAES major will take a set of core science and environmental policy courses that focus on recognizing and addressing environmental issues at various levels.  They will also complete an introductory seminar course featuring both outside speakers and Baruch and CUNY faculty that will showcase contemporary topics in the field and related careers students may pursue.  Students will then choose elective courses that focus on comparing potential solutions to environmental issues from various perspectives, solution implementation, and communication among stakeholders.  These electives will include at least nine credits in courses outside of environmental science and at least one team- and discussion-based capstone course that emphasizes experiential and community-engaged learning.

Note the majors in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies share the same core courses, so students can learn more about the field before selecting a specific major. Interested students should contact the Department of Natural Sciences at 646 660-6250 or learn more at https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/naturalsciences/

Requirements for the Major

Fall 2026 Environmental Studies Major (BA) Course Offerings

(Subject to Change)

Please see Schedule of Classes for details

Required Course:

BLS/PAF 3200 – Climate Justice

Electives:

ENV/BIO 3020 – Bio of Invertebrates

ENV/BIO 3030 – Principles of Evolution

ENV 3070 – Agroecology

ENV 4900 – Capstone: Env Science

MGT 3800 – Management and Society

PAF 3442 – Cities and Sustainability

PSY 3185 – Environmental Psychology

Contact

Department of Natural Sciences
646-660-6250