The environmental science major is an interdisciplinary program designed to develop an understanding of environmental processes and issues, and an awareness of our role as humans within the environment. The environmental science major encompasses several interrelated fields, including biology, ecology, chemistry, resource management, policy making, and natural science. Students graduating with this degree can expect to either proceed to graduate level study or enter the environmental workplace. A degree in environmental science presents numerous opportunities in the fields of resource management, ecological risk assessment, conservation biology and environmental education.
Students who declare environmental science majors must complete NATSC 101 and Lab with a grade of C- or higher in order to continue in the program.
Environmental Science majors pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree must complete two semesters of calculus and one semester of statistics. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires MATH 124 and MATH 135 or above. A paper or other evidence of the student’s ability to conduct investigations, use library resources, and write a report following a standard format is required in each advanced-level course. A writing course, Critical Writing for Science Majors, is prerequisite to advanced courses and should be completed in the sophomore year.
Degree Requirements
Environmental Science majors must satisfy all University Core Curriculum requirements and the College speech requirement, COMM 210. In addition, environmental science majors must successfully complete the following courses and sufficient electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives toward a minor or second major.
NATSC 101 Introduction to Environmental
Science and Lab
NATSC 104 Principles of Oceanography
BIO 240 Concepts of Ecology
BIO 360 Limnology and Lab
CHEM 191, 192 Principles of Chemistry I and II and Labs
CHEM 201, 202 Environmental Chemistry I and II and Labs
PHYS 201, 202 Principles of Physics I and II
and Labs (B.S. degree)
or
PHYS 109, 110 Physics I and II and Labs (B.A. degree)
and
Five (5) courses chosen from:
NATSC 301 Marine Resource Management
NATSC 305 Marine Geology
NATSC 333 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
NATSC 401 Environmental Toxicology and Lab
BIO 230 Microbiology and Lab
BIO 312 Conservation Biology
CHEM 312 Instrumental Methods of Analysis
CHEM 434 Advanced Environmental Chemistry
ENVR 345 Applied Meteorology
LS 200 Environmental Law
and
Three (3) courses chosen from:
BIO 200 Genetics and Lab
BIO 210 Botany and Lab
BIO 220 Marine Vertebrate Zoology and Lab
BIO 225 Evolution
BIO 302 Ichthyology
BIO 315 Animal Physiology and Lab
BIO 320 Marine Ecology and Lab
BIO 335 Invertebrate Zoology and Lab
BIO 340 Biotechnology and Lab
BIO 345 Aquaculture and Lab
BIO 355 Marine Phycology and Lab
BIO 390 Biochemistry and Lab
CHEM 301 Organic Chemistry I and Lab
CHEM 302 Organic Chemistry II and Lab
MATH 317 Differential Equations
and
An Environmental Science internship
Requirements for the Minor in Environmental Science
NATSC 101 Introduction to Environmental
Science and Lab
NATSC 104 Principles of Oceanography
and
At least 11 credits from the following list:
BIO 230 Microbiology and Lab
BIO 312 Conservation Biology
BIO 320 Marine Ecology and Lab
BIO 360 Limnology and Lab
CHEM 201 Environmental Chemistry I and Lab
CHEM 202 Environmental Chemistry II and Lab
NATSC 301 Marine Resource Management
NATSC 305 Marine Geology
NATSC 333 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
LS 200 Environmental Law