Environmental Geography Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Advisers Ballvé, Burnett, Klepeis, Meyer, Loranty, Scull

Environmental geography engages students in the interrelations between human systems and the natural environment. The major combines courses in the Department of Geography with a common set of environmental studies courses and courses offered in other relevant disciplines. In collaboration with the major adviser, environmental geography majors select a specific theme within environmental studies on which to focus. Examples that correspond to geography faculty expertise include climatology, population studies, environmental health, environmental systems analysis, gender and the environment, geographic information systems (GIS), political economy of the global environment, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable development.

This major in affiliation with the Environmental Studies Program (ENST) provides students with an opportunity to consider explicitly environmental issues from a geographic perspective. Courses in geography and a common set of courses in the ENST program are combined in an interdisciplinary course of study that focuses on climatology, population studies, environmental health, urban ecology, environmental systems analysis, geographic information systems analysis, sustainable agriculture, sustainable development, and gender and environment.

Major Requirements

The major program consists of the following requirements:

Environmental Studies Courses (five)

One of the following environmental ethics courses:

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEE 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 introductory environmental science courses:

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of ESEN 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.

Community-based Study of Environmental Issues

Geography Courses (seven)

All of the Following
Electives
  • Four elective courses in GEOG
    • Only one may be a 100-level course.

Honors and High Honors

To qualify for honors or high honors in environmental geography, students must fulfill the requirements for honors or high honors in geography. 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.

Environmental Studies Program

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.