Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Urban Planning & Sustainable Development, BA
What Is the Study of Urban Planning and Sustainable Development?
This interdisciplinary program prepares students to enter professional fields concerned with the sustainability of the human and natural environment. The Urban Planning and Sustainable Development program consists of a core, and specialization electives. The core incorporates the interdisciplinary foundation of Huxley College’s approach to the study of the environment. Urban planning and sustainable development concentrate studies in public policy development, law, and methods and processes of planning and decision making. The specialization elective component of the program is flexible. It allows students to develop an area of special interest, concentrating on a minor in an academic discipline, or to select from a number of thematically oriented clusters of courses.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Do you want to use your knowledge and skills to promote positive change in the environment? Do you love solving problems and implementing shared visions in both natural settings and urban communities? Are you interested in the laws and policies that govern environmental change? Then Planning and Sustainable Development is the major for you.
How to Declare:
Phase I: Students can declare themselves as an Environmental Studies (ENVS) major at any time. At the time of declaration a Huxley Faculty Advisor is assigned, based on the student’s interests. Students do not need to specify their specific major until their application to Phase II. In Phase I students must complete the ENVS Preparatory Courses (and optionally can enroll in ENVS Core Courses as well).
ENVS Preparatory Courses: (8 courses)
- BIOL 101 or 204
- CHEM 121
- ECON 206
- MATH 114 or 156
- PLSC 250
- ENVS 201 – Understanding Environmental Data & Information (old: ESTU 297B)
- ENVS 202 – Introduction to Environmental Studies & Sustainability (old: ESTU 202)
- ENVS 203 – Physical Geography (old: EGEO 203)
Phase II: Upon completion of the ENVS Preparatory Courses students can apply for Phase II (applications are accepted 3 times per year). The application requires a 1-2 page essay (with specific ENVS major rationale) and the submission of a Plan of Study signed by the faculty advisor(s). Urban planning applicants must also submit a portfolio of work demonstrating their ability to integrate sustainable design, social equality concerns, and environmental systems principles, and on enrollment limits.
Application Deadlines for Phase II: Applications should be received by the Huxley College office by April 25 for admission to summer or fall quarters; October 6 for admission winter quarter; and January 15 for admission spring quarter.
Advising Tips: Prospective environmental studies majors are encouraged to call 360-650-3520 to make an appointment with the Huxley College admissions advisor, Kathryn Patrick, in order to explore their environmental studies interest and develop a plan of study.
Coursework
PHASE I (33 credits):
- One course from:
- BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology
- BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
- ENVS 201 - Understanding Environmental Data and Information
- ENVS 202 - Introduction to Environmental Studies and Sustainability
- ENVS 203 - Physical Geography
- PLSC 250 - The American Political System
- MATH 114 - Precalculus I
PHASE II: ENVS CORE (17-20 credits):
- One course from:
- ENVS 303 - Human Ecology and Sustainability
- ENVS 304 - Environment and Resource Policy
- ENVS 305 - Environmental History and Ethics
- One course from:
- ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
- ENVS 361 - Introduction to Planning
- One course from:
- ESCI 302 - Environmental Pollution
- ESCI 310 - Environmental Systems
- ESCI 325 - Fundamentals of Ecology
- ESCI 392 - Introduction to Global Change
- One course from:
- ESCI 309 - Exploring Environmental Data
- ESCI 321 - Oceanography
- ESCI 330 - Natural History of the Pacific Northwest
- ESCI 333 - Introduction to Environmental Toxicology
- ESCI 361 - Water Quality
- ESCI 463 - Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Major (76-78 credits):
- One course from:
- ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns (if not taken above)
- ENVS 361 - Introduction to Planning (if not taken above)
- ENVS 360 - Plan Graphics: Methods in Urban Planning Design Graphics
- ENVS 370 - History of Planning
- ENVS 372 - Natural Hazards Planning
- ENVS 373 - Transportation Systems and Planning
- One course from:
- ENVS 450 - United States Environmental Policy
- ENVS 456 - U.S. and Washington State Environmental Regulations
- ENVS 457 - Environmental Dispute Resolution
- ENVS 461 - Land Use Law
- ENVS 462 - Planning Theory
- ENVS 470 - Planning Methods
- ENVS 472 - Planning Studio
- ENVS 473 - Planning Studio II Implement
- ENVS Capstone - One course from:
- ENVS 410 - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- ENVS 430 - Borderlands
- ENVS 460 - Greening Business Policy and Practice
- ENVS 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities
- ENVS 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment
- ENVS 496 - Environmental Stewardship
- ESCI 470 - Ecological Restoration
- ESCI 490 - Environmental Risk Assessment
- ESCI 491 - Oceanography of Puget Sound
- ESCI 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment
- One course from (minimum of 10 credits):
- ENVS 498A - Senior Thesis
- ENVS 498B - Internship
- ENVS 498C - Senior Project
- ENVS 498D - Foreign Study
- 20 credits - Specialized electives at the 300- or 400- course level, under advisement.
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
- QSR: MATH 114
- SSC: ECON 206; ENVS 202; PLSC 250
- LSCI: BIOL 101, 204; CHEM 121; ENVS 203
Sample Careers
- Urban Planner
- Environmental Lawyer
- County Planner
- Environmental Public Relations
- Director of Non-Profit Organizations
Department
Contact
Huxley College
Admissions Advisor:
Kathryn Patrick
ES 539, 360-650-3520
Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu
Department Chair:
Michael Medler
AH 210, 360-650-3173
Michael.Medler@wwu.edu
Planning Track Advisor:
Nicholas Zaferatos, ES444
Nicholas.Zaferatos@wwu.edu