The Environmental Studies and Sciences (ENVS) program at Rhodes College is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental challenges. Rooted in a liberal arts tradition, the program offers a holistic approach to understanding the environment, integrating perspectives from social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and fine arts. Students engage in hands-on learning experiences, from fieldwork to research projects to local internships, fostering a deep understanding of environmental issues and solutions. With dedicated faculty guidance and a commitment to sustainability, Rhodes College prepares students to become thoughtful leaders and stewards of our planet, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
We offer a major and minor in both Environmental Studies and Environmental Sciences. Environmental Studies classes focus on social factors relating to the environment, including elective classes in economics, history, religious studies, art and more. Environmental Science classes focus more on the natural science relating to the environment with elective classes in biology, chemistry, geology, math, and geography. While students in both majors/minors take classes in both environmental studies and environmental sciences, the chosen area of study focuses on the respective area. Classes required for both majors include ENVS-150: Environment and society, ENVS-225: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and ENVS-486: Senior Seminar. This way, periodically throughout the curriculum, students are able to share their different backgrounds of study in the class setting.
Student with ENVS majors go on to a range of different careers, with some examples including graduate and professional schools in biology, business, city and regional planning, earth systems science, ecology and evolution, environmental education, environmental science, geography, law, and public health. Alumni are currently teaching (locally and internationally), working for non-profit organizations, working as GIS analysts, working for businesses, and much more!