The importance of understanding the relationship between humans and the rest of the environment has arguably never been as crucial as it is in today’s complex world. At one level, to consider it is to respond to an immediate call on conscience, in the wake of the constant depredations that it faces every day, chiefly on account of us, the human species. Yet, in an academic sense, it ignites curiosity along a far longer avenue than the immediate, and affords a fascinating array of opportunities for students to explore. For it is an omnibus term defined and enriched by chemical, biological, physical, and cultural processes, and is simultaneously an imaginarium of philosophical and artistic exposition. The study of our environment is akin to a rich tapestry interwoven from strands taken from natural science, social science, and humanities perspectives of the environment. This tapestry is ever-evolving —quite unlike a finished product— due to the dynamism and evolution of both society and the environment. All these factors make Environmental Studies a fertile area of engagement for students wishing to explore the breadth of the field to understand its syncretic character, and at the same time delve in depth into one or more of the disciplinary cognates of the field, such as environmental science, ecology, environmental history, environmental philosophy, environmental economics, ecocriticism, and environmental sociology.
Environmental Studies at Krea aims to offer students a comprehensive exposure to contemporary environmental thought and enable a deeper understanding of human-environmental relationships.. We aim to ensure that all students attain a well-rounded understanding of the domain from natural science, social science, and humanities perspectives of the environment.
The design of this programme will enable students to appreciate why and how perspectives from three broad disciplines: natural science, social science and humanities, emerged as three distinct fields of scholarship, each with an ‘environmental’ prefix. The required courses seek to establish a broad landscape of Environmental Studies while responding to present-day challenges, thereby enabling students to recognise and appreciate the ‘messiness’ of the field. Students will also take a mandatory course on Communication in Environmental Studies, where they will focus on comprehension, writing, artistic expression, and critique.
Along with the Environmental history course, historical perspectives will also emerge through required courses like Ethics and the Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change. The Tools and Method course will prepare students to execute research for their Capstone. Students will learn necessary scientific concepts to understand the environmental problems through Environmental Science course, while the course Ecological Economics is designed to provide students with an understanding of how much undervaluation is made of our environment. Ethical questions and deliberation are embedded in many required courses and electives, enabling students to understand why an ethical lens is required to view environmental issues in the 21st century. Several courses have field immersions and practicum, providing a holistic picture of theory, primary debates, and environmental tensions around the world, in addition to a hands-on exposure to underlying research methods through practicum.
After completing the required classes, students will choose electives that facilitate specialisation. Electives will aid disciplinary grounding, for example, in the history, politics, science, technology, economics, data science, chemistry, or philosophy of the environment, and enable further interdisciplinary exploration through courses like Economics of the Environment, Conservation Studies, Remote Sensing and Political Ecology of Biodiversity Conservation. Students will distill the diversity to which they have been exposed within the field to produce their capstone thesis on any topic within Environmental Studies during their final year.
Any 8 of the 9 courses
Any 6 of the 9 courses
Any 4 of the 9 courses
As students explore the science behind climate change, they simultaneously gain insight into the complexities of climate policy. They come to understand the deeper meaning of sustainability and recognise the urgency of adopting sustainable practices. Through this journey, they develop an appreciation for how profoundly our environment and natural systems are undervalued and overburdened.
They also come to recognise how deeply science, humanities, and society are interwoven in shaping our environmental reality. Addressing these challenges requires not only scientific understanding but also the power of artistic expression and effective communication to bridge ideas, inspire action, and engage diverse communities. This interdisciplinary perspective helps students realise that meaningful environmental solutions emerge when scientific insight, humanistic thinking, and social context work together. Importantly, students understand why an ethical lens is required to view environmental issues in the 21st century.
This programme is evaluated through a combination of the following components
Environmental Studies graduation requirements for the three-year and four-year degree programmes:
|
Credits needed to earn a Single Major in Environmental Studies |
Credits needed to earn a Double Major in Environmental Studies |
Credits needed to earn a Minor in Environmental Studies |
Credits needed to earn a Concentration in Environmental Studies |
|
| 3-year programme | 60 | 48 | 24 | 16 |
| 4-year programme | 80 | 64 | 32 | 16 |
Environmental Studies graduation requirements for the three-year and four-year degree programmes:
| Single Major | Double Major | Minor | Concentration | |||||
| Required | Elective | Required | Elective | Required | Elective | Required | Elective | |
| 3-Year Programme | 36 | 24 | 36 | 12 | 24 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 4-Year Programme | 36 | 44 | 36 | 28 | 32 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
To earn an Environmental Studies Major, Minor, or Concentration, students must complete the required and elective credits in Environmental Studies courses as indicated above.
Partnerships
Krea University has partnerships with leading universities in India and abroad that offer students pathways for higher education and research. These collaborations create opportunities for postgraduate study, academic exchange, and continued learning across disciplines. Know more
Higher Education Pathways: MSc/PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability, Environmental Policy and Governance, Ecology and Conservation, Sustainable Energy, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Health and more.
Job roles: CSR manager, Sustainability adviser, Conservation scientist, ESG roles, Environmental consultancies and more.
Discover how Sree Nandhaa selected her Environmental Studies major, what makes this discipline unique, the key lessons she learned, her future aspirations, and her words of wisdom for freshers.
“From those foundation years at Krea to earning my Master’s at Monash, the journey has been one of learning, growth, and rediscovering the power of community. Krea gave me more than knowledge — it gave me confidence, clarity, and purpose. A huge part of my journey began back at Krea University, where the foundation was laid, making this next chapter possible. I’m endlessly grateful to mentors who believed in me, challenged me, and gave me opportunities to grow.”