<p>I would like to know this since it is my intended major.</p>
<p>Hey fellow seattle-ite (i’m guessing?). I’m assuming you’re talking about the BS in Environmental Sciences in the College of Natural Resources. (We have no “environmental studies” major). The thing that makes ES hard is that for most of the concentrations, with the exception of social, you have to take almost all of the pre-med pre-reqs, with pre-med students, who may me more keen on breaking the grade curve and/or have majors more focused on the subjects of these “weeder” courses. that being said, if you rise to the challenge you can succeed in these classes; it’s just easy to get discouraged when you dont care <em>as</em> much about the grade, but need to work your rear off just to be average. if you choose the bio or social concentration you’ll have a choice of some classes, eg the 1 over the 16 series, and you only take the 8 for physics (unless you’re physics concentration).
Keep in mind for this major it’s required to do a yearlong senior thesis research project.</p>
<p>if you’re interested in “studies” consider Conservation & Resources Studies (CRS) or Society and Environment. CRS is an extremely flexible major in the department, where you pick up to 3 areas of interest and load your upper-div schedule as you please. it is less science-intense and I believe a thesis is optional. To be completely honest will say that there is a little bit of condescension from the more science oriented majors towards CRS presumably because they are awarded a B.S. despite being a “studies” major and not needing to take all the premed courses. But what else is new. Many people choose this major because it’s easier to study abroad or study something specific that the school may not offer. Alternatively I have friends that want to be middle/high school bio teachers and took this as a way to double in education.</p>
<p>hope that helps.</p>