Return to: 3030.30 Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Coordinator: Rebekah Chapman, rchapman@gsu.edu
The BIS in Environmental Science program provides a foundation in the physical and life sciences, policy, and global and urban sustainability issues. This concentration emphasizes a broad-based course of study, exposing students to the complex social and scientific processes involved in understanding and addressing environmental issues. Students are encouraged to develop specific areas of focus depending on their future goals (e.g., graduate school, government agencies, environmental consulting firms, etc.).
Students in the B.I.S. in Environmental Science program may additionally be interested in pursuing undergraduate certificates available through the Department of Geosciences alongside their major depending on their career goals Options include undergraduate certificates in Geographic Information Science (GIS), Water Science, and Sustainability. Students interested in these certificates should contact the Undergraduate Director in Geosciences to enroll in the program. Courses that apply to the Environmental Science, B.I.S. degree program also may be used in support of the certificate; however, only one course can be applied to two different certificates.
Students should be aware that there are prerequisites for several courses in the different departments represented in this major. In addition, some of the upper-level course options are offered only once a year, with some specialty courses being offered only every other year. Students should consult historical/projected course schedules and develop a course plan early in order to have the required prerequisites when selected courses are offered and have other options in mind for limited offerings. Additional course options may be available by working directly with faculty members in research, topics courses, and internships in several departments. Students may contact the faculty coordinator to ensure that certain topics may be taken for credit within the Environmental Science, B.I.S. major if they do not appear on the lists below. As a part of the Geosciences department, B.I.S. Environmental Science students are encouraged to attend colloquium series offered in a number of relevant departments on campus to learn more about the range of opportunities in these disciplines both at the university and beyond.
Program Admission
Students may enroll in a concentration upon admission to Georgia State University. Students who wish to change their major to this degree program should select a concentration in consultation with their academic advisor and the faculty coordinator. A 2.0 Georgia State University GPA is required.
Students who enroll in a concentration will be required to submit a course plan checklist to demonstrate their understanding of the degree requirements. It is highly recommended that students develop a course of study with their specific faculty coordinator before taking coursework in the degree program to avoid taking courses that will not count towards graduation.
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies students should also consult regularly with the faculty program coordinator for the specific program regarding course selection, program plans, experiential learning, and other academic opportunities.
Program Degree Requirements
Please refer to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies of this catalog for academic regulations for this program.
Students must complete coursework in at least three disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in the Major Area and in at least two disciplines in the Allied Studies Area (unless a minor is selected). These areas should be constructed so that students take courses in distinct disciplines in each area (with some overlap expected); that is, the same prefix should not predominate in both areas unless a minor is selected in the Allied Studies Area. If you wish to take courses primarily in one area, then you should consider a major in that discipline if one is available.
In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College Degree Requirements) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation).
University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements
Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in the Major and Allied Studies areas to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)
Graduation with Distinction in the Major
This program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the faculty program coordinator for the specific criteria for this honor.
