The major in environmental science guides students in examination and analysis of the earth and the human-environment interaction, and develops the technical and scientific skills necessary to build a career related to the environment. Required courses in the major examine the following types of questions: What is the nature of the earth and its ecosystems? What is the nature of environmental problems? What is the scientific and technical basis for environmental problem-solving and mitigation of the human impact on planet earth? How are scientific findings used in society’s decision-making about environmental resources? How can science and technology help us be better stewards of earth, its ecosystems, and its natural resources?
Environmental Science Major
The number of courses required for the major is 14 (45–50 semester hours). Off-campus study courses may substitute for some of the requirements below.
Required Courses
All of the following (32-34 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 119L Ecology and Evolution (4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 101L Introduction to Environmental Science (4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 102L Conservation of Biodiversity (4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 131L Physical Geology (4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 196 Tutorial in Geographic Information Systems (1 sem. hr.)
ENVR 290/390 Internship in Environmental Science (2-4 sem. hrs)
ENVR 303 Environmental Impact Assessment (3 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 340 Sustainable Agriculture (3 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 403 Senior Thesis in Environmental Science (4 sem. hrs.)
MATH 151 Elementary Statistics (3 sem. hrs.)
or MATH 251 Probability and Statistics (3 sem. hrs.)
Area of Specialization:
Four courses in biology OR four courses in chemistry OR four courses in physics, as indicated below (13-16 sem. hrs.):
BIOLOGY SPECIALIZATION
BIOL 130L Biology of Organisms (4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 304L Vertebrate Zoology(4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 305 Terrestrial Field Biology (3 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 324L Animal Behavior (4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 325L Limnology (4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 363 Advanced Ecology (3 sem. hrs.)
CHEMISTRY SPECIALIZATION
CHEM 107L General Chemistry (4 sem. hrs.)
CHEM 108L Chemical Analysis (4 sem. hrs.)
CHEM 213L Organic Chemistry I (4 sem. hrs.)
CHEM 214L Organic Chemistry II (4 sem. hrs.)
CHEM 301 Physical Chemistry I (3 sem. hrs.)
CHEM 315L Inorganic Chemistry (4 sem. hrs.)
CHEM 327L Instrumental Analysis (4 sem. hrs.)
MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES SPECIALIZATION
MATH 111 Calculus I: Introduction to Calculus (4 sem. hrs.)
MATH 112 Calculus II: Introduction to Calculus (4 sem. hrs.)
MATH 211 Calculus III: Multivariable Calculus (3 sem. hrs.)
PHYS 106 Introductory Astronomy (3 sem. hrs.)
PHYS 111L Fundamentals of Physics I (4 sem. hrs.)
PHYS 212L Fundamentals of Physics II (4 sem. hrs.)
PHYS 221L Principles of Electronics (4 sem. hrs.)
Environmental Science Minor
The discipline of environmental science is fundamental to efforts to improve the health of planet earth and enhance human well-being. The minor in environmental science introduces students to the tenets of a scientific approach to understanding the human-environment interaction, environmental problems and effective environmental problem-solving; it also equips students with career-ready skills that will complement any major.
The number of courses required for the minor is six (18-20 semester hours).
Required Courses
All of the following (12 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 101L Introduction to Environmental Science (4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 102L Conservation of Biodiversity (4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 196 Tutorial in Geographic Information Systems (1 sem. hr.)
ENVR 303 Environmental Impact Assessment (3 sem. hrs.)
Two of the following (6-8 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 119L Ecology and Evolution (4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 130L Biology of Organisms (4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 305 Terrestrial Field Biology (3 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 324L Animal Behavior (4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 325L Limnology (4 sem. hrs.)
BIOL 363 Advanced Ecology (3 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 131L Physical Geology (4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 285/285L Topics in Environmental Science (3-4 sem. hrs.)
ENVR 340 Sustainable Agriculture (3 sem. hrs.)