So over the last couple of weeks, I have been researching majors to consider for college. I am a junior and plan on applying in the fall. Anyway, in my search, one of the options that has entertained me was Environmental Economics. The only problem here is that I have never taken an Environmental Science class (but I still enjoy the topic, just prioritized physics), while I plan on taking Stats and Econ during my senior year. How vital is environmental science in high school for this major?
Not at all. Anthropology, zoology, linguistics, geology, etc. are all examples of college majors in which few HS students have taken HS classes. And don’t be surprised if you end up changing your major once at college! The general idea is to take some survey classes your 1st two years in college and find something that appeals to you.
Note that an environmental economics major would not be commonly available at most colleges at which faculty actively publish research in this field. For foundational reasons, a straight economics major, supplemented by coursework in other disciplines, may be more suited to your goals.
“The only problem here is that I have never taken an Environmental Science class (but I still enjoy the topic, just prioritized physics), …”
Guess what!
Many standout economists also were very interested in Physics. Modern economics is very mathematical. Even the life sciences have become a hotbed of numerical modeling… it was not always so.
I’m just an old man who enjoyed economics, math, physics and worked for a few years on environmental issues prior to the first earth day in 1970. Biochem was my nemesis as I never had a memory for Greek and Latin.
Environmental Economics is likely taught in the Agricultural Economics department if your university has one. The main difference is in your upper level electives. If the program is out of Ag Econ, you may have some different core requirements from Econ do to being in different colleges at the university. Environmental Science isn’t need. Your math skills are way more important.
Be careful as Agricultural Economics are more directed toward agricultural application. Find a quality university where quantitative theory can take one many directions and which can offer expertise in these different applications. Civil Engineering, Life sciences, as well as related quantitative methodologies may be of interest here. See https://www.wpi.edu/academics/study/economic-science-bs
Look for flexibility and a breadth of related offerings.
By the way, if it was not economics… what would you study?