Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Studies (Extension) — Geographic Information Science Emphasis, BA


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Department of Environmental Studies, College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region

79-80 credits

Introduction

WWU College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region is a distance based, hybrid interactive network that allows students to actively work alongside world-famous researchers located in Poulsbo, Port Angeles, and Everett, Washington. As a direct transfer pathway program, freshman and sophomore students in regional community colleges have guidance into four-year, direct transfer degree programs into College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region. Designed for working students, classes are scheduled from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and are initiated utilizing hybrid modality that combines in-person teaching, hands-on field labs, and interactive video conferencing.

Academic programming is designed to prepare tomorrow’s interdisciplinary problem solvers by integrating educational course work, faculty-student collaboration, applied research, and professional and community service. Based on the College of the Environment’s Bellingham campus interdisciplinary curricula, College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region takes an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to understanding human-environment systems and environmental challenges. The College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region Environmental Studies major includes core classes in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to prepare our students to integrate knowledge from multiple fields of study. The Environmental Studies major equips students to succeed as environmental professionals through experiential learning and advanced coursework in each degree pathway, either a GIS emphasis or a minor in Environmental Science.

Why Consider an Environmental Studies (Extension) Major with a Geographic Information Science Emphasis?

Many environmental systems and issues involve spatial patterns that can be analyzed, visualized, and communicated through Geographic Information Science (GIS) techniques. The GIS emphasis provides students with in-depth training in GIS theory and techniques. Our students gain advanced skills in the creation, development, management, analysis, and visualization of spatial data. We teach our students how to use GIS for a wide range of environmental applications, from modeling climate change impacts to identifying inequitable patterns of exposure to pollutants to prioritizing land for renewable energy installations or conservation easements.

Do you love maps? Are you comfortable with spatial problem solving? Do you enjoy the combination of art and science that goes into cartography? Are you curious about how spatial data can be used to explain the patterns and processes behind environmental issues? If so, then Environmental Studies (Extension) with a Geographic Information Science Emphasis is the major for you! Come join us as we work together to map our world! This major can be completed in two years.

 Contact Information

Department Chair
Rebekah Paci-Green
Western Washington University
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Arntzen Hall 206
360-650-2707
Rebekah.Paci-Green@wwu.edu

Academic Program Director for
College of the Environment
- Salish Sea Region

Jenise M. Bauman
Western Washington University
1000 Olympic College Way
Poulsbo, WA 98370
360-394-2756
Jenise.Bauman@wwu.edu

Program Manager for
College of the Environment
- Salish Sea Region

Dennis Matthews
Western Washington University
915 N. Broadway Ave.
Everett, WA 98201
360-650-7242
Dennis.Matthews@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Environmental Communications | Environmental Analyst | Environmental Advocate | Government Agency Employee | Sustainability Officer | Water Resource Manager | Park Ranger | Forest Service Employee | Educator

 Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Applicants are instructed to complete a Direct Transfer Associates (DTA) Degree from the community college that the student is currently attending. College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region advisors and program coordinators work with advisors and faculty at partnered community colleges to advise students to take preparatory classes during their freshman and sophomore year. Once students have completed, or are completing, the Associate Transfer Degree and required courses, students may apply to the College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region and Western Washington University. Community College equivalent courses of ENVS 201, ENVS 203, MATH 114, BIOL 101, and CHEM 161 must be completed with a C- or better for application to this major. ENVS 204 will be offered within the program.

Questions, contact:

Dennis Matthews
Program Coordinator
College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region
Western Washington University
915 N Broadway Ave, Everett, WA 98201
Dennis.Matthews@wwu.edu | 360-650-7242

A pre-advising session should be scheduled with the program coordinator, Dennis Matthews to determine readiness for application.

Formal application is made to Western Washington University through the Admissions Office online application process. Once admitted, students will work with a College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region program advisor to select a depth and specialization area by the end of the first fall quarter. 

Outline for Application Process:

  • Make a note of the application deadline(s) for Fall Quarter admission.
    • Financial Aid Priority Deadline: January 31
    • Priority Application Deadline: March 1
    • Final Application Deadline: June 1
  • Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov; WWU School Code 003802
  • Schedule a pre-advising appointment with Dennis Matthews to determine readiness for the application (emails provided above)
  • Complete both the Transfer & Post-baccalaureate for Location Program Admission application and the College of the Environment – Salish Sea Region application and submit the $60 application fee by visiting admissions.wwu.edu/apply/location-programs.
  • Request an official transcript from institutions where you have earned prior college credit. If you previously attended WWU, it is not necessary to provide WWU transcripts or other transcripts previously submitted to WWU. Have the official transcript sent electronically or in a sealed envelope to:

Western Washington University Office of Admissions
Old Main 200, MS 9009 516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Environmental Studies (Extension) foundation and core requirements


Foundations Core (25 credits)


MATH 112 or suitable math placement score is necessary for some foundations courses, but higher-level math courses are recommended. Students are strongly encouraged to take chemistry, biology, and MATH 114 as part of their GUR courses to access upper division Environmental Science courses.

Environmental Studies Core Knowledge Areas (23 credits)


Environmental Data Analysis and Communication (7 credits)


The Biophysical Environment (8 credits)


Socio-ecological Systems (4 credits)


Social Justice and the Environment (4 credit)


Culminating Experience (9-10 credits)


If students take courses in this Culminating Courses category, the same courses may not be counted in other categories in this major.

Depth and Specialization


Students completing Environmental Studies degrees must choose a pre-defined emphasis, a pre-approved minor, or collaborate with a faculty adviser to develop a student-faculty designed plan of study. All depth and specialization pathways must include at least 20 credits of additional coursework beyond the courses used to fulfill requirements in other areas of the Environmental Studies major.

Geographic Information Science Emphasis (22 credits)


Many classes are offered only once per year and must be taken in sequence, so careful planning with an advisor is recommended. 

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