Recommendations for first-year students considering this major:
Students planning to choose one of the major tracks in Environmental Studies should take ES118 (Environment and Society) in the spring semester of their first year, unless they have AP credit in Environmental Science (score of 4 or 5). The director of the program, Professor Russell Cole (frcole@colby.edu) is available to answer questions about the program via email throughout the summer. Specific advising comments regarding each Environmental Studies major and “The Green Cluster” are provided below.

Environmental Science major
First-year students considering the Environmental Science major should enroll in BI163 in the fall and BI164 in the spring. Students with AP credit in Biology (scores of 4 or 5) should enroll in CH141 in the fall and CH142 in the spring semester. Students with AP credit in Chemistry should enroll in ES271. Students should enroll in ES118 in the spring semester. They should also take MA121 during their first year. This course is offered in both semesters. Students considering the Environmental Science major without AP credit in Biology and Chemistry should elect ES271 in the fall of their sophomore year.

Environmental Policy major
First-year students considering the Environmental Studies Policy major should enroll in BI131 in the fall semester and in ES118 in the spring semester. Alternatively, students could elect to enroll in BI163 (fall) and BI164 (spring) rather than BI131 (fall). Additionally, Environmental Studies Policy students should consider enrolling in EC133 in their first year. This course is offered in both semesters. Students considering an Environmental Policy major should elect ES233 and ES271 (if possible) in the fall of their sophomore year.

Environmental Studies/ Interdisciplinary Computation major
First-year students interested in the ES Interdisciplinary Computing major should enroll in ES118 in the spring semester. Students should enroll in CS151 in the fall or spring semester.

Students Enrolled in The Green Cluster and Interested in an Environmental Studies Major
Students interested in any Environmental Studies major track may enroll in "The Green Cluster" (Integrated Studies 126). Students who elect “The Green Cluster” and are interested in the Environmental Science major should also enroll in CH141 (fall) and CH142 (spring) and ES118 (spring). These students should also enroll in MA121 in the spring semester. Students enrolled in ”The Green Cluster” and interested in the Environmental Studies Policy major should enroll in ES118 and EC133 in the spring semester. Students considering an Environmental Science major should elect ES271 in the fall of their sophomore year. Students considering an Environmental Policy major should elect ES233 and ES271 (if possible) in the fall of their sophomore year.

Recommendations for first-year students entering Colby at mid-year who are considering the Environmental Studies major:
Students planning to choose one of the major tracks in Environmental Studies should take ES118 (Environment and Society) in the spring semester of their first year, unless they have AP credit in Environmental Science (score of 4 or 5). Students interested in the Environmental Science major should consider enrolling in ES118 and MA121 in their first semester. Students interested in the Environmental Policy major should consider enrolling in ES118 and EC133 in their first semester.

Graduation Checklists
ES: Policy Majors graduating in 2013 here
ES: Policy Majors graduating in 2014 here
ES: Policy Majors graduating in 2015 here
 
ES: Science Majors graduating in 2013 here
ES: Science Majors graduating in 2014 here
ES: Science Majors graduating in 2015 here

ES: Interdisciplinary Computation Majors graduating in 2013 here
ES: Interdisciplinary Computation Majors graduating in 2014 here
ES: Interdisciplinary Computation Majors graduating in 2015 here

ES: Minors graduating in 2013 here
ES: Minors graduating in 2014 here
ES: Minors graduating in 2015 here

Colby College’s Policy on Accepting IB Exams for Transfer into a Degree Program

Colby recognizes the International Baccalaureate and offers advanced placement and credit based on individual Higher Level examination results, as well as performance on the full IB Diploma program. At the discretion of individual academic departments, advanced placement may be earned for scores of 6 and 7 on Higher Level examinations. A full year of credit toward the 128 credits required for graduation and up to two full semesters toward residency requirement may be earned for an IB Diploma point total of 36 or better, assuming all examination scores are 5 or better.

If your IB Diploma point total is 36 or higher and you have no examination scores of less than 5, Colby equates Higher Level examinations with scores of 6 or 7 directly to Colby courses. For example, a Higher Level Biology exam with a score of 6 or 7 would be equivalent to our BI163 – The Cellular Basis of Life and BI164 – Evolution and Diversity; a Higher Level Chemistry exam with a score of 6 or 7 would be equivalent to CH141 – General Chemistry and CH142 – General Chemistry; a Higher Level Mathematics exam with a score of 6 or 7 would be equivalent to MA121 – Single-Variable Calculus and another general math course (no specific equivalent). The Higher Level Economics exam with a score of 6 or 7 would be equivalent to EC133 – Principles of Microeconomics and EC134 – Principles of Macroeconomics.  

The ES Standard level exams (Environmental Systems or Environmental Systems and Societies) have no direct course equivalency, but Colby accepts the credits. These exams may be used as prerequisites for higher-level courses at the discretion of the program.  

By reviewing the requirements for the majors in Environmental Studies at Colby (see the catalogue), you will be able to determine how your IB examinations may be used to fulfill some of the ES major requirements or be used as prerequisites for others.