This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.
Advisers Cardelús, Frauendorf, Frey, Ingram, McCay, McHugh, Watkins
This major is affiliated with the Environmental Studies Program (ENST) and is designed for students interested in biology and the environment.
Environmental biology provides the student with a focus on biological systems and how organisms interact with the abiotic and biotic components of the environment. It also provides a breadth of exposure to environmental studies beyond the field of biology. The courses below are required for the major.
For students graduating in the Class of 2025 and earlier, please refer to prior University Catalog requirements.
Major Requirements
Environmental Studies Courses (Six)
One of the following environmental ethics courses:
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEE in the course offerings.
Community-based Study of Environmental Issues
Both of the following methods courses:
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESME in the course offerings.
One of the following environmental justice courses:
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEJ in the course offerings.
One of the following environmental politics, policy, planning, or economics courses:
Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEP in the course offerings.
- ECON 228 - Environmental Economics
- ENST 241 - Sustainability and Climate Action Planning
- ENST 250 - Environmental Policy Analysis
- /
Biology Courses (Six)
Required Courses
-
BIOL 181 - Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity
and
This course and its credit bearing laboratory component must be completed with a grade of C- or better. - BIOL 330 - Conservation Biology
Additional Biology Courses
Three additional biology courses, numbered below BIOL 470, with at least one from each of the areas noted below. Only one of these courses may be or .
Research Course
One of the following courses in research:
- Biology course numbered BIOL 470 or higher
- ENST 491 - Independent Study (with permission of the program director)
Introductory Chemistry Requirement
Students should choose one of the following three options:
- CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I and CHEM 101L
- CHEM 102 - General Chemistry II and CHEM 102L
or - CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I and CHEM 101L
- GEOL 303 - Geochemistry
or - CHEM 111 - Chemical Principles and CHEM 111L
Honors and High Honors
To qualify for honors or high honors in environmental biology, students must fulfill the requirements for honors or high honors in biology. The major GPA used to determine eligibility is calculated from all courses counted toward the major, both ENST courses and those taken in other departments and programs. See the for specific honors requirements.
Graduate Study or a Career in the General Area of Environmental Biology
Students who wish to pursue graduate study or a career in the general area of environmental biology should consider taking /, /, /, and /.
Environmental Studies Program
For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the catalog page.