Where to Start with ENSP

While the Environment & Sustainability major offers three tracks, there are a number of courses that are required for all majors that students can take in their first and second years. These courses will give students an introduction to the different tracks and allow them to pick the one they like best. Once students pick a track and have the required introductory courses completed, they will be well prepared to succeed in their upper division environmental courses.

We recommend that students take two to three of the following courses in their first year at William & Mary. These courses will help students become familiar with the Environment & Sustainability Program while also leaving their options open. Some of them may also fulfill other degree requirements. 

• Take Introduction to Environment & Sustainability (ENSP 101) in the Fall of your first year if you can. This class is a pre-requisite for several other courses and will introduce you to many environmental issues that face our planet. Even if you don't continue with ENSP as a degree, everyone can benefit from this course.
  Although we hold slots open for incoming first year students, this class can fill up quickly. Don't worry: you will still be on track to graduate on time if you take this class as a Sophomore. There are other classes you can take before you have ENSP 101 under your belt.
• Take Introduction to Environmental Policy (ENSP 201) in the Spring of your first year. This class teaches you the ins and outs of existing environmental policy in the United States and how to make policy in practice.
• Take a one-credit Seminar (ENSP 250) in the Spring of your first year. These classes are small to facilitate debate and conversation, and can be a lot of fun. This seminar will introduce you to the work of global experts and let you get to know one of your professors in some depth.
• Consider an introductory Geology (GEOL 101 or 110 or 250) and/or an introductory Biology course (BIOL 204) in one of your first semesters. If you decide on the Environmental Science track, both of these are required as proficiencies for the major. Only one (biology or geology) is required for the Environmental Humanities and Environmental Policy tracks. The associated labs (BIOL 204L, GEOL 160 or 250) are also required for upper-level field lab courses, one of which you will need to take later. 
• If considering the Environmental Science track, take CHEM 103 General Chemistry I and the associated lab (CHEM 103L). This is a required proficiency for Environmental Science track.
• Take an environmental ethics or environmental justice class that can fill the ENSP Ethics & Justice requirement. ENSP 350 Emergent Ecologies and PHIL 308 Issues in Environmental Ethics do not have pre-requisites. All are popular choices among Environment & Sustainability students and work for all three tracks. There are other ethics options too - see the Undergraduate Catalog.

There are many ways to get going with the ENSP major. These are just a few suggestions. Review the major requirements to find other courses that might better match your individual situation. You can also contact the ENSP Undergraduate Advisor or the ENSP Program Director for general advice and questions.