Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences and Studies

Analyze and think critically about environmental issues

Local and global societies face an array of environmental problems, from biodiversity loss to climate change to various types of pollution. To tackle these problems, future leaders need to understand the science behind the issues as well as the societal context in which they occur. The Environmental Sciences and Studies (E.S.S.) major provides students the knowledge and skills to become these future leaders through two major options. The general Environmental Studies major exposes students to environmental issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, while the Environmental Studies major with an emphasis in science allows students to focus primarily on the natural and physical science aspects of today’s environmental problems. Both major curricula integrate Franklin’s Academic Travel program, offer opportunities to pursue independent research, incorporate real-world experience, and encourage majors to study abroad.

In particular, Franklin’s affiliation with the School for Field Studies (S.F.S. - www.fieldstudies.org) allows E.S.S. students to study at one of the S.F.S. sites during a summer or semester and receive major credit. Both major programs prepare students for careers in government, non-profit conservation, and consulting, as well as for graduate degree programs.

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies major gives students an interdisciplinary background and enables them to think critically about, analyze, and understand today's environmental issues. In this major, students receive a broad overview of environmental issues that include environmental science, the social sciences, and the humanities. Students take a core set of fundamental courses and then tailor a set of broad upper-level electives that reflect the students' specific interests.

Environmental Studies with an Emphasis in Science

This emphasis targets students who are intrigued by the science behind environmental issues. The coursework emphasizes the environmental sciences and quantitative methods, while still providing insight from other disciplines to help students understand the societal issues intertwined with the environment. Students take a core set of fundamental courses and then develop a set of science-focused upper-level electives that reflect their own specific interests.

Environmental Studies with an Emphasis in Science Requirements

*All Bachelor of Arts degrees require a total of 120 credits consisting of Core Requirements, Major Requirements, and General Elective courses. Prerequisites may be required for courses outside of the major.

Our Campus

Visit Franklin University Switzerland and see why so many students feel at home on our campus and in the Lugano community.

We welcome you and your friends and family to experience what it means to live and learn in our safe, international environment.

Dual Accreditation

Franklin University Switzerland is accredited in both the United States and Switzerland.

That means that your degree is truly international, with automatic validity in two countries, and that you have an advantage to pursuing an international career or furthering your study in the US or Switzerland. The doors opened by a Franklin education go far beyond these two countries, though, and most countries in the world will grant equivalence to a Franklin degree if you have your sights set elsewhere.

Franklin maintains this recognition through periodic quality assurance reviews by authorities from the US and Switzerland.

Where Our Graduates Go

Employers look for candidates with a reliable skill set, and Franklin students have it! Within a year of graduation, 95% of our students obtain full-time employment in a wide variety of sectors, as shown in the graphic. At Franklin, you’ll get the education you need and acquire the skills employers want.

Since we began in 1970, there are now over 7,000 alumni already making a difference in their hometowns, and in new, exciting locations around the globe. Let FUS help you get where you want to go.