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 103 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.
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.
Foundation Requirements:
NATSC 103 Earth Systems Science and Lab
NATSC 203 Humans, Environmental Change and Sustainability
NATSC 204 Principles of Oceanography
BIO 104 Biology II and Lab
CHEM 191, 192 Principles of Chemistry I and II and Labs
Intermediate Level Requirements:
*BIO 240 Concepts of Ecology
*BIO 360 Limnology and Lab
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
Environmental Science Upper Level Electives: select 5 courses chosen from list:
ANTH 320 Ecological Anthropology
BIO 230 Microbiology and Lab
BIO 312 Conservation Biology
CHEM 312 Instrumental Methods of Analysis
CHEM 434 Advanced Environmental Chemistry
ENGR 314 Soil Mechanics and Lab
ENGR 320 Environmental Engineering
ENGR 405 Air Pollution and Control
ENGR 407 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
ENGR 408 Water Pollution and Treatment and Lab
PLS 200 Environmental Law
NATSC 301 Marine Resource Management
NATSC 305 Marine Geology
NATSC 310 Biogeochemical Cycling
NATSC 315 Meteorology Climatology
NATSC 333 Environmental Monitoring
NATSC/BIO 375 Soil Ecology
NATSC 401 Environmental Toxicology and Lab
NATSC 469 Environmental Science Internship
and
Three (3) Free Electives for B.S.
or
Four (4) Free Electives for B.A.
*Note: BIO 240 - Concepts of Ecology and BIO 360 - Limnology, cannot count toward Minors in Biology and Marine Biology. Consequently, Environmental Science Majors will be required to take at least three (3) courses to get minors in those subjects.
Bio 104 Biology II and Lab
NATSC 103 Earth Systems
NATSC 203 Humans, Environmental Change and Sustainability
and
At least seven (7) credits from Environmental Science Upper Level Electives:
(total of 18 credits)
ANTH 320 Ecological Anthropology
BIO 320 Microbiology
BIO 312 Conservation Biology
CHEM 312 Instrumental Methods of Analysis
CHEM 434 Advanced Environmental
ENGR 314 Soil Mechanics and Lab
ENGR 320 Environmental Engineering
ENGR 405 Air Pollution and Control
ENGR 407 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
ENGR 408 Water Pollution and Treatment and Lab
PLS 200 Environmental Law
NATSC 301 Marine Resource Management
NATSC 305 Marine Geology
NATSC 310 Biogeochemical Cycling
NATSC 315 Meteorology and Climatology
NATSC 333 Environmental Monitoring
NATSC/BIO 375 Soil Ecology
NATSC 401 Environmental Toxicology and Lab