Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Economics/Environmental Studies, BA
What Is the Economics/Environmental Studies Major?
Economics deals with how people living in a world of scarcity make choices. These choices inevitably involve costs. Questions examined in environmental economics include efficient resource use, preservation of wilderness and biological diversity, local and regional air pollution, global climatic change, and treatment of toxic substances. Students learn how to use economic principles to help understand the causes of environmental problems and to identify potential remedies.
Environmental Studies draws on basic knowledge of how natural systems work and is applied to solving problems largely created by human activities. Often these problems are represented by disturbances in the functioning of natural systems. In addition to the study of the natural environment, a study of laws and policy related to the environment provides a foundation for solving environmental problems.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
A combined major in Economics/Environmental Studies is available to students having a strong interest in the economic aspects of environmental studies and natural resources. The degree awarded is a B.A. in Economics.
How to Declare:
Admission to programs in the College of Business and Economics (CBE)
Students planning to major in Economics should declare their major as early as possible,preferably their first year at Western.
Admission to CBE is selective and based upon prior academic performance and other evidence of high promise. For admission as a full Economics major, student must have completed the following requirements:
- Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
- Achieved a 2.5 cumulative college GPA (including transfer work)
Complete the online application form at: http://www.cbe.wwu.edu/College/Applications.asp
Admission to Huxley College
Pre-major: Any student may declare as an Environmental Studies pre-major. The forms are available at the Huxley College office in ES 539.
Admission as a full Environmental Studies Major is selective and based upon the following four criteria:
- Completion of required preparatory course work
- A brief essay in response to a given question
- Relevant experience
- Academic performance (GPA)
Applications should be received by the Huxley College office by April 25 for summer or fall quarter admission; October 6 for winter quarter; and January 15 for spring quarter.
Coursework
Students are advised to see the department for GPA requirements within the major.
Preparatory Courses (18-19 credits)
- One course from:
- BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology
- BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- One course from:
- MATH 114 - Precalculus I
- MATH 156 - Alegbra With Applications to Business and Economics
- Additional Lab Science course in BIOL, CHEM, GEOL or PHYS
Major (85 credits)
- ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECON 303 - The History of Economic Thought
- ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics
- ECON 307 - Intermediate Macroeconomics
- ECON 383 - Environmental Economics
- ECON 384 - Energy Economics
- ECON 483 - Resource Economics
- ECON 493 - Senior Seminar: Economics, the Environment and Natural Resources
- ENVS 450 - United States Environmental Policy
- ENVS 455 - Environmental Law
- One course from:
- DSCI 205 - Business Statistics
- MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics
- MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference
- One course from:
- ENVS 340 - Developing World
- ENVS 341 - Population and Resources
- ENVS 342 - Geography of the World Economy
- 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
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: MATH 114, 124, 156, 157, 240
- SSC: ECON 206, 207; ENVS 342
- LSCI: BIOL 101, 204; CHEM 121
Sample Careers
- Environmental Consulting
- Economics/Environmental Researcher
- Environmental Advocacy for Non-profits
- Environmental Affairs-Business
- Environmental Protection-Government
Department
Contact
Economics Major Information
Academic Department Manager
Diane BrearleyPH 315, 360-650-3910Diane.Brearley@wwu.eduEcon@wwu.edu
Economics Department Chair
Paul StorerPH 315A, 360-650-6531Paul.Storer@wwu.edu
Environmental Studies Information
Huxley Undergraduate Advisor
Kathryn PatrickES 539, 360-650-3520Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu
Environmental Studies
Department Chair
Michael MedlerAH 217, 360-650-3277Michael.Medler@wwu.edu