FAQs

Course Schedule

• Spring 2025 Course Schedule
• Fall 2024 Course Schedule

What is EPIB?

The major in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior (EPIB) examines the human dimensions of environmental problems. It addresses such issues as how human actions affect the environment and how humans are affected by the environment; how societies adapt to changes in natural resource availability and environmental change; and how individuals, nations, and international agencies respond to environmental hazards. Courses in the program deal with local, regional, and national differences in the use of resources; with social and environmental aspects of health and illness; with alternative strategies for environmental management; with the ethical, moral, and legal dimensions of environmental and resource issues; and with the roles of governmental and non-governmental agencies in environmental affairs.

The objectives of the curriculum are to teach basic concepts and methods from the social, biological, and physical sciences as they relate to the interactions among people and the environment; to train students in the techniques of empirical research; to provide opportunities for experiences in “real world” situations; to guide students in acquiring practical skills such as environmental assessment, professional writing, data analysis, and demographic analysis; and to broaden students’ knowledge regarding environmental problems and how people cope with them.

What Type of Degree Will I Earn?

Students in any EPIB option receive the Bachelors of Science (BS) degree. EPIB is a social sciences major, but students earn a “sciences” bachelor rather than an “arts” bachelor degree because the science core requirements at the SEBS are higher.

What Is the Math Requirement?

The School of Environmental Sciences (SEBS) requires students to either place into Precalculus or higher OR to complete Intermediate Algebra (01:640:026). For the EPIB major’s quantitative methods requirement, students also need to complete a total of 6 credits:

• Either 01:960:211 (Statistics I) or 01:960:401 (Basic Statistics for Research),* AND
• 11:374:201 (Research Methods, with a C or above)

*Note: Although EPIB majors only need to place into PreCalculus or higher, you need to take PreCalculus Part I (01:640:111) or a higher course as a prerequisite for the required statistics courses, Statistics or Basis Statistics for Research. Alternatively, some students prefer to take an equivalent Statistics course at a community college.

What is the Pass/No-Credit Option?

Certain courses are offered on a Pass/No Credit basis. These courses are indicated by the credit prefix P/NC in the course listings in the catalog and in the Schedule of Classes. The credits earned on a Pass/No Credit basis count toward the credits required for graduation but are not included in the calculation of the cumulative grade-point average. Students who have completed 60 degree credits also may register for two unspecified elective courses (no more than one per term) on a Pass/No Credit basis. Caron Chess explains “EPIB Students who want environmental jobs may find they need more science. Pass/no credit courses make it easier for EPIB students to take more difficult classes.” BUT you cannot take one of these Pass/No Credit science courses until you finish ALL of your science requirements. A grade of C or better must be achieved in order to convert the instructor’s grade to a Pass. Forms are available in the SEBS Office of Academic and Student Programs and must be submitted by the end of the second week of the term. Once elected officially, the Pass/No Credit designation may not be restored to a letter grade.

What Are the Rules for Academic Integrity?

Faculty shares the responsibility for educating students about the importance and principles of academic integrity. Individual faculty members are also responsible for informing students of the particular expectations regarding academic integrity within individual courses. If there is an issue or a violation, contact Karen O’Neill who will provide you with the proper and relevant forms.

What Does the EPIB Minor Involve?

Minor requires 18 credits:

• Must take 11:374:101 – Introduction to Human Ecology
• At total of 5 courses like the ones below, of which 3 must be at the 300 or 400 level: For full list see EPIB minor page.
  • 11:374:312 Environmental History
  • 11:374:313 US Environmental Policy
  • 11:374:314 Natural Resources Policy
  • 11:374:315 International Environmental Policy

Do SEBS Requirements Overlap with Human Ecology Classes?

Yes, they do!

• 11:374:101 Introduction to Human Ecology, 11:374:115 Water and Society, 11:374:175 Energy and Society, and 11:374:279 Politics of Environmental Issues all fulfill the Core requirement for Contemporary Challenges: Our Common Future (CCO)
• 11:374:250 Environmental Justice fulfills the Core Requirement for Contemporary Challenges: Diversity and Social Inequalities (CCD)
• 11:374:279 Politics of Environmental Issues and 11:374:115 Water and Society fulfills the Core Requirements of Social Analysis [SCL-GVT] – Governmental and Regulatory Analysis
• 11:374:101 Introduction to Human Ecology and 11:374:175 Energy and Society fulfill the Core Requirements of Social Analysis [SCL] – Social/Cultural Analysis
• 11:374:310 Storytelling for Science and 11:374:311 Environmental Writing fulfill the Core Requirements of Discipline-Based Writing and Communication [WCd]