Environment and Sustainability, BS, Ecological Systems Specialization Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Science in Environment and Sustainability with a Specialization in Ecological Systems
Sample Plan for New Students
The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests.
- Semester Degree Plan (for students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond)
- Quarter Degree Plan (for students who enroll prior to Summer 2027)
For more information about 91探花's transition to the semester calendar, visit 91探花 Moves to Semesters.
Degree Requirements
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
- Credits in Major: 52 semester credits or 78 quarter credits
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Semester-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll in Summer 2027 and beyond
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 1000: Signature Seminar (3) | UCOR Stage I (3) |
| Course 2 | UCOR Stage I (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage I (3) | ENVS 2100: Natural History (3) |
| Course 4 | College Language Requirement (4) | College Language Requirement (4) |
| Course 5 | ENVS 1600: Sustainability, People and Environment (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Get Involved
- Plan for Study Abroad
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | ENVS 2150: Geoscience (3) | ENVS 2950: Ethics, Equity & Environment (3) |
| Course 2 | Gen BIOL Lecture + Lab I (4) | Gen BIOL Lecture + Lab II (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage II (3) | ENSC 1500: Environmental Field Methods (3) |
| Course 4 | General Elective (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 5 | General Elective (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR Stage II (3) | UCOR Stage III (3) |
| Course 2 | UCOR Stage III (3) | ENVS 3050: Economics and Environment (3) |
| Course 3 | ENVS 3400: Applied Data Analysis (3) | ENVS 3500: Intro to GIS (3) |
| Course 4 | ENVS Specialization Elective (3) | ENVS Specialization Elective (3) |
| Course 5 | ENVS 3000: Environmental Politics (3) or ENVS 4740: Intl Enviro Gov (3) | ENVS 3750: Sustainability Careers (2) or ENVS 4950: Internship (2) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Mentor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR Stage III (3) | UCOR Stage III (3) |
| Course 2 | HIST 3510: Environmental History (3) | ENVS 4900: Senior synthesis - Capstone (3) |
| Course 3 | ENVS Specialization Elective (3) | ENVS Specialization Elective (3) |
| Course 4 | General Elective (3) | General Elective (3) |
| Course 5 | General Elective (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Mentor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Stage I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Stage. For more information, please visit the University Core website.
Stage 1: Foundations
- UCOR 1000/2000 Signature Seminar
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Reasoning
- UCOR 1500 Philosophies of Humanity
Stage 2: Inquiry
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2300 Inquiry Seminar in Creative Arts and Expression
- UCOR 2400 Inquiry Seminar in Literature, Art, or History
- UCOR 2600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 2800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
- UCOR 29XX Ethical Inquiry
Stage 3: Engagement
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3200 Global Perspectives
- UCOR 3300 Responsibility and Action
Curriculum Notes
- Students choose from one of four specializations, or work with your advisor to design your own specialization.
- Urban Sustainability (BA): How can we build livable cities that are ecologically sustainable and equitable? Gain knowledge and skills in urban planning and community design, food systems, Geography Information Systems (GIS), urban ethics, economics, and politics needed to support sustainability in our cities.
- Politics, Policy, and Justice (BA): What policies and political processes support sustainability and environmental justice? Gain the knowledge and skills needed to propose policy alternatives and advocate for changes needed to address complex environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.
- Environmental Education and Communication (BA): How do we communicate our pressing environmental problems and potential solutions? Gain the knowledge and skills needed to teach, raise public awareness, and motivate change by using a broad base of mediums and communication strategies for diverse audiences.
- Ecological Systems (BS): How can we sustainably manage and restore our environment and ecosystems? Gain knowledge and skills in the physical, ecological and environmental sciences needed to address our pressing environmental concerns such as biodiversity loss, water contamination, air pollution and the resilience of our ecosystems.
- Design your own Specialization (BA). Do you have a specific field of interest within the field of Environment and Sustainability not covered in one of the above options? Work with your faculty advisor to tailor your specialization to meet your academic needs.
- Students fulfill their specialization requirements through ENVS Specialization Electives as shown in the sample academic plan.
- Note, those students wishing to complete a BS should select the Ecological Systems specialization.
- Courses included in a specialization cannot satisfy requirements elsewhere in the major.
- Several ENVS courses are offered multiple times a year, students should refer to the tentative course offerings when creating their educational plan.
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements. Reach out to the College of Arts & Sciences Advising Center for support via email at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the .
- Level up your skills at the .
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for .
- Search the expansive network of .
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for .
- Create something at the .
Quarter-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Plan For New Students
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | ENVS 2100 – Natural History: Theory & Practice (5) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 3 | Language I 1150 (5) | Language II 1250 (5) | Language III 1350 (5) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Create plan in Student Planning
- Get Involved
- Plan for Study Abroad
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BIOL 1610 – Molecular & Cellular Biology + BIOL 1611 – Lab (4+1) Satisfies UCOR 1800 – Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences (5) | BIOL 1620 – Evolution & Ecology + BIOL 1621 – Lab (4+1) Satisfies ENVS 3200 – Principles of Ecology (5) | BIOL 1630/1631 (Satisfies General Elective) (5) |
| Course 2 | ENVS 2150 – Geoscience (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | ENVS 2950 – Ethics, Justice & Env’t (5) |
| Course 3 | †ENVS 1600 – Sustainability, People, & the Environment (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) |
†ONLY offered in Winter 2027
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | ENVS 3400 – Research Design & Statistics (5) | ENVS 3050 – Economics & the Environment (5) | †ENVS 3000 – Environmental Politics (5) (offered typically in the Winter) OR ENVS 4740 – International Environmental Governance (5) |
| Course 2 |
General Elective (5) |
ENVS 3500 – Intro to Geographic Information Systems (5) | ENSC 1500 – Environmental Field Methods (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | HIST 3510 – Environmental History (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) |
| Course 4 | ENVS 4950 – Internship (3) OR *ENVS 3750 – Environmental Careers (3) |
†In Winter 2026 ONLY EVST 3000 will be offered AND in Spring 2027 ONLY EVST 4740 will be offered
*EVST 3750 ONLY offered in Winter quarter
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | ENVS 4900 – Sr Synthesis: Capstone (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 2 | ENVS Specialization Elective (5) |
ENVS Specialization Elective (5) |
ENVS Specialization Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for graduation
- Continue post-graduation planning
University Core Requirements
Prospective students can preview the semester-based University Core by reviewing the University Core Stages Visual Plan (PDF) or explore the current University Core curriculum at seattleu.edu/core.
Curriculum Notes
- Courses included in a specialization cannot satisfy requirements elsewhere in the major.鈥�
- The choice of a specialization should be made before the completion of 90 credits toward the degree and must be certified by submitting an “Addition of鈥痑nother鈥疢ajor, Degree or Specialization” form to the Office of the Registrar.鈥�
- 35 credits of specialization electives: BIOL 1610/1611; BIOL 1620/1621/ BIOL 1630/1631; ENSC 1500. Choose one of: BIOL 2600; BIOL 3650; BIOL 4650. 10 credits of specialization electives:鈥�疊IO 2600*BIOL 3650*; BIOL 4650* BIOL鈥�2350, 2520, 3800, ENVS 3700,鈥痑n approved course from Blakely Island Field Studies or another university, or Special Topics courses approved by the department. *If not taken above.鈥�
- Several ENVS courses are offered multiple times a year, students should refer to the tentative course offerings when creating their educational plan.
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the
- Level up your skills at the
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for
- Search the expansive network of .
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for .
- Create something at the .