Environmental Studies Index

The natural world undeniably shapes and is shaped by humans. To understand and influence this interaction for the better, you need the intellectual and practical tools to study environmental issues from multiple points of view.

Environmental Humanities invites students to ask one of the most high-stakes questions of our time: How can we live ethical, just lives on a precarious planet? To find your unique answer, you’ll turn to ideas from the arts, literature, rhetoric and philosophy.

Not all Art majors in college let students explore and experiment across different forms. But at Whitman, Art majors gain advanced skills in one concentration while making art in a variety of media.

What makes us human? In the Anthropology program at Whitman, you’ll travel across time and space to find your own answer to this universal question.

As a Biology major at Whitman, you’ll study all forms of life, from the molecular to the ecological. You’ll do original research alongside amazing professors, and you’ll have lots of opportunities to put your knowledge to work outside the classroom.

With small classes, a hands-on approach to learning, and faculty who have a strong dedication to teaching and vibrant research agendas, Whitman is one of the best colleges in the Northwest for Chemistry majors.

Explore the crossroads of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science as you learn to ethically analyze and visualize data to tell important stories about the world around us. This minor has wide-ranging applications to science, the humanities, business and more.

The distribution of resources shapes our world in countless ways. The study of Economics at Whitman will expand your global perspective and help you understand economic behaviors in the real world.

Want to work outdoors and have a positive impact on the environment? After three years at Whitman, you’ll be prepared to transfer to Duke University, where you can go on to complete a master’s degree in Forestry or Environmental Management.

If you’re fascinated by the ground beneath our feet, enjoy hands-on learning outdoors, and want to study the impact of geological forces on human society, the Geology major at Whitman is one of a kind.

This concentration allows you to place yourself and your community in webs of natural, economic, cultural and social connection that defy geopolitical borders. As you explore global themes, you’ll learn to engage with difference and challenge your own assumptions.

How we understand the meaning of the past has crucial implications for our present and our future. As a Whitman History major, you’ll learn how to think critically about human history and develop an appreciation for its complexity.

This concentration brings together diverse perspectives to help you understand how people interact with the designed world—and how to create solutions that put people first. It will supercharge your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Discover the wonders of the marine world. Over five years of combined study, you can earn your Bachelor of Arts in Biology or Geology from Whitman alongside a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from the University of Washington.

Physics uncovers how the systems around us work—from subatomic particles to clusters of galaxies. As a Physics major, you’ll learn to leverage that knowledge to advance our understanding of the universe and solve everyday problems.

Understanding and using political power effectively requires a deep knowledge of our world. That’s why Whitman’s Politics degree encourages students to take full advantage of our liberal arts environment to explore politics from multiple perspectives for a broad intellectual foundation.

Sociology reveals patterns in the way we organize and interact as people. It sheds light on everything from the media to our criminal justice system to our connection with the natural world. In both the Sociology and the combined Sociology-Environmental Studies majors at Whitman, you’ll gain the tools to understand how your story intersects with bigger social forces.