At a Glance
I’m interested in this field of study. Can you tell me more about it?
EEP is an unusual, fully multidisciplinary major. In this program, you study the environment from the perspectives of economics, natural sciences, and politics, balancing both introductory and advanced coursework across all three fields. Many students who choose this major are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies or careers in fields such as environmental law, nonprofit management, sustainable business, or environmental policymaking.
What are some courses appropriate for first-year students interested in exploring this field of study?
We recommend starting with some of the core economics and natural sciences requirements, including ECON 50 and the first semester of Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 14, only offered in the fall, or accelerated CHEM 29, only offered in the spring). The ecology/evolution semester of Introductory Biology (BIOL 44, only offered in the spring) is also a good choice for first-year students. Taking EA 30: Introduction to Environmental Science (offered both semesters) is a nice way to explore interests in the environment and can be applied to either an EEP or an environmental science major. If you’re keen to start with politics, check out either POLI 120: Introduction to US Politics or POLI 150: Introduction to Public Policy.
If I decide to major or minor in this field, are there certain courses that need to be taken in a specific sequence?
Yes. Introductory classes in chemistry (CHEM 14/29), biology (BIOL 44), or environmental science (EA 30) must be taken before upper-division electives in the natural sciences. In economics, the introductory class ECON 50 must be taken first, followed by intermediate-tiered courses such as ECON 101 and 102. The order of politics classes is more flexible, but we recommend enrolling in either POLI 120: Introduction to US Politics or POLI 150: Introduction to Public Policy within the first year or two.
Can students who major or minor in this field complete a second major or minor (as a double major or a major/minor combination)? If so, what are some common pairings?
Yes, students can double or dual major in EEP, but you can’t combine EEP with fields that overlap substantially with the three component disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, economics, environmental analysis/science, or politics. There is no EEP minor.
What other useful information should I know about this field of study?
This is a really exciting moment for the EEP major, which just underwent major revisions. The new major will better match student goals and foster interdisciplinary connections across different departments that engage with environmental challenges.
Scripps Catalog link to specific requirements for the major/minor:
Scripps revised the major in spring 2025, so be aware that older versions of the catalog no longer include the correct requirements. You can find the revised catalog link in the current Scripps catalog.
Link to profiles of faculty who teach in this field:
https://www.scrippscollege.edu/offices/profile/vanessa-tyson
https://www.scrippscollege.edu/offices/profile/nicholas-kacher
https://natsci.claremont.edu/employees/biology/diane-thomson/
The interdisciplinary Environment, Economics, and Politics (EEP) major is designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of environmental fields as well as for graduate study in a related field. The major is designed to develop a general understanding of the various disciplines that study environmental systems including biology, chemistry, economics, and government policy. The program also emphasizes the ways in which the various disciplines inform each other in environmental decision-making settings.
Faculty
Faculty members from several disciplines contribute to the required courses for the EEP major. The EEP major is administered by the Environment, Economics, and Politics Committee.