College of the Sciences
Environmental Geography
Bachelor of Science | Major
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, Environmental Geography Specialization
Prepare for a career in natural resource management.
Environmental Geography combines physical geography, human geography and spatial analytic techniques like Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Take courses in natural resource management, environmental systems, GIS, and remote sensing to explore the complex interactions of humans and the environment with an Environmental Geography degree.
Questions? Contact Us.
Environmental Studies Program
Create Your Future
What You'll Study
Academic Catalog | Environmental Studies Website
Foundational Courses
- BIOL 181 - General Biology
- CHEM 181/LAB - General Chemistry
- GEOL 101/LAB - Introduction to Geology
- GEOL 103/LAB
- GEOL 108/LAB - Earth and Energy Resources
- GEOG 107 - Our Dyanmic Earth
- ANTHRO 130 - Cultural Worlds
- ECON 201 - Principles of Economics Micro
- GEOG 101 - World Regional Geography
- POSC 101 - Introduction to Politics
- SOC 107 - Principles of Psychology
Core Courses
- ENST 201 - Earth as an Ecosystem
- ENST 202 - Environment and Society
- ENST 300 - Analysis of Environmental Systems
- ENST 303 - Environmental Resource Management
- ENST 330 - Environmental Leadership and Advocacy
- ENST 360 - Environmental Justice
- ENST 400 - Environmental Methods and Analysis
- ENST 460 - Environmental Law
- ENST 461 - Environmental Policy
- ENST 487 - End-of-Major Capstone
Culminating Experience
- ENST 495 - Senior Research
- ENST 490 - Cooperative Education
- UNI 309 - Civic Engagement
- UNIV 304 - International Sustainable Development
Department-Approved Upper-Level Electives
- ENST 310 - Energy and Society
- ENST 330 - Environmental Leadership and Advocacy
- ENST 360 - Environmental Justice
- ENST/POSC 364 - Environmental Conflict and Change
- ENST 398 - Special Topics
- ENST 455 - Environmental Literature
- ENST 480 - Campus Sustainability
- GEOG 301 - Introduction to GIS and Maps
- SUST 301 - Introduction to Sustainability
Environmental Geography Specialization
Biology
- BIOL 101 - Fundamentals of Biology
- BIOL 181 - General Biology I
Chemistry
- CHEM 101 - Chemistry and Planet Earth
- CHEM 111 - Introduction to Chemistry
- CHEM 111LAB - Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 181 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 181LAB - General Chemistry Laboratory I
Geoscience
- GEOG 107 - Our Dynamic Earth
Social Science
- GEOG 101 - World Regional Geography
Physical Geography
- GEOG 361 - Soils
- GEOG 382 - Environmental Hydrology
- GEOG 386 - Geomorphology
- GEOG 387 - Biogeography
- GEOG 388 - Weather and Climate
- GEOG 453 - Riparian and Wetlands Analysis
- GEOG 483 - Snow
Techniques Courses
- GEOG 403 - GIS and Data Management
- GEOG 325 - Field Methods in Geography
- GEOG 330 - Airphoto Interpretation
- GEOG 404 - GIS Analysis
- GEOG 409 - Quantitative Methods in Geography
- GEOG 430 - Remote Sensing Credits
Resource Courses
- GEOG 305 - Introduction to Land Use Planning
- GEOG 373 - Water Resources
- GEOG 440 - Ecology and Culture
- GEOG 442 - Alternative Energy
- GEOG 449 - Environmental Hazard Analysis and Management
- GEOG 455 - Pyrogeography
- GEOG 456 - Recreational Resources: Analysis and Management
- GEOG 458 - People, Parks, and Protected Areas
- IEM 302 - Energy, Environment, and Climate Change
Geography Electives
- GEOG 422 - Geography of Food and Agriculture
- GEOG 450 - Arid Environments
- GEOG 451 - Mountain Environments
- GEOG 452 - Coastal Environments
- GEOG 454 - Forest Environments
- GEOG 479 - Geography of the West
Force for Good
As part of the CWU community, our students and alumni continue to make a positive impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future. Our department provides service-learning opportunities where you can enact positive change to increase CWU campus sustainability.
Career-Forward
Geography is crucial in protecting and preserving our planet by equipping us with the knowledge and skills to tackle environmental challenges. Prepare for careers in environmental planning, design, and restoration, as well as in environmental assessment and monitoring, resource management, natural areas preservation, and outdoor and environmental education.
Experiential Learning
You will engage in fieldwork, laboratory research, and internships that bring classroom concepts to life. Through these experiences, you will forge lasting connections with your peers, faculty, and industry professionals, strengthening the sense of community that sets our program apart.
Rich Natural Setting
CWU is located in a unique environment close to subalpine meadows, a shrub-steppe desert, and snowmelt rivers. Our environment also includes a range of resource uses including agriculture, recreation, indigenous land use, and renewable energy generation helping you learn about how to balance different social perspectives about the environment.
Apply
Discover how to apply to your program of choice at Central.
Financial Aid
Our Financial Aid staff are here to help you navigate financial aid.
Student Life
Pursue your interests in a supportive community. Learn more.
Visit
The best way to discover what makes CWU so special is to experience it yourself.
Priority
Sustainability is one of the top goals in CWU’s Institutional Strategic Plan, guiding all work that the University engages in.
Connections
Join other students who are passionate about saving the environment in the Environmental Club.
Focused
Get involved at Wildcat Farm, CWU’s very own organic growing space with u-pick flower days and vibrant produce box subscriptions.
Why Environmental Studies at Central?
- Our small class sizes allow for more personalized attention from faculty, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
- Engage in fieldwork, laboratory research, and internships that bring classroom concepts to life. Through these experiences, you will forge lasting connections with your peers, faculty, and industry professionals.
- Let our faculty connect you to local resource groups that can put you on the top of the list for internship opportunities.
Successful Fields
Environmental Consultant
Natural Resource Manager
GIS Specialist
Climate Change Analyst
Environmental Planner