Environmental Science Major (BS)

Description

Environmental problems are among the most urgent issues facing our civilization. To manage Earth’s environment well, we must understand the processes that shape its surface; control the chemistry of its air, water and soil; and produce and maintain biological and other resources upon which humans depend. We must also understand the ecological interactions of animals, plants and other living organisms with their physical and chemical environments.

Through a curriculum with a common core in biology, ecology, chemistry and geology, and a track with a more specialized focus, Environmental Science majors develop the conceptual knowledge and technical skills necessary to address environmental problems.

Three tracks are offered in the Environmental Science major: Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology, Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecology, and the combined Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology.

What can I do with an Environmental Science major?

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare this major.

Program Requirements

Students in the Environmental Science major pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete its requirements.

The major requires a minimum of 70 credits balanced between required courses in the core curriculum (42 credits) and required, elective, or co-requisite courses in the student’s chosen track (28 credits).

Academic Planning Seminar (1 or 3 credits)

General Education Requirements (31-40 credits)

Major Department Requirements (42 credits)

Cognate or Additional Requirements (0-3 credits)

  • MTH 111 College Algebra (3 credits)
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) required for SOC 307

Students in the environmental science major pursue one of the following tracks:

Additional Requirements for the Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Track (28 credits)

Electives courses chosen by advisement (12 credits)

6 to 12 Credits From Aquatic Ecology Courses

0 TO 6 Credits From General Courses

*Additional courses may be chosen from these groups as electives.

**Can apply up to 3 credits from these courses combined toward the 28 credits required for the track.

Additional Requirements for the Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecology Track (28 credits)

Elective Courses Chosen By Advisement (12 credits)

6 to 12 or 13 Credits From Terrestrial Ecology Courses

0 TO 6 Credits From General Courses

*Additional courses may be chosen from this group as electives.

**Can apply up to 3 credits from these courses combines toward the 28 credits required for the track.

Additional Requirements for the Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology Track: (28 credits)

Elective courses chosen by advisement: (8 credits)

*Additional courses may be chosen from this group as electives.

**Can apply up to 3 credits from these courses combines toward the 28 credits required for the track.

General Electives (1 to 18 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

  • Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in ENV 202, ENV 204, and ENV 303.
  • Completion of all university-wide degree requirements.
  • A minimum overall GPA of 2.0.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain basic environmental science topics and policies, biological processes, and ecological principles.
  2. Design scientific studies and quantify and characterize natural phenomena using laboratory and field equipment.
  3. Summarize, analyze, and interpret scientific data, using relevant quantitative skills and applying major environmental concepts.
  4. Summarize, organize, and communicate scientific data and analyses in oral/or written formats.
  5. Employ decision-making and problem-solving skills, such as evaluating competing explanations or applying scientific knowledge to environmental problems.
  6. Develop professional skills necessary to succeed in the environmental science and ecology fields.

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