Bachelor of Science

Program Description

The baccalaureate degree program in environmental science is intended to provide a strong and diverse background to prepare graduates for successful careers in the rapidly growing industry of environmental management and protection. To that end, the program's curriculum courses not only in Environmental Science but also in Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Geology and cultural studies. The environmental science program's singular diversity of course offerings and flexible curriculum encourage each student to design a unique program suited to his or her individual goals. Student by student, we emphasize the building of a firm foundation in the underpinning concepts of environmental science, proficiency in designing and conducting original research, and effectiveness in communicating the results in both written and oral forms.

Career Opportunities

Students graduating with degrees in Environmental Sciences find gainful employment in private industry and the public sector. Graduates serve as environmental professionals in local, state, and federal environmental resource agencies; in the private sector as environmental consultants.

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Students will develop:

• An appreciation of the interaction of the Earth's major surface systems and how these interactions influence and are influenced by human action
• Knowledge concerning how humans interact with the geologic environment with an emphasis on the potential hazards associated with geologic phenomena (e.g., volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis)
• An understanding of chemical, physical, biological, and geological principles that underlie environmental dynamics
• An understanding of ecology and how to design ecological experiments and analyze data
• An appreciation of the limits of sustainability of natural resources and how to manage and conserve them
• An understanding of how human societies are influenced by their natural environment and how society's actions affect the environment
• Knowledge of the Earth's climate system including factors which affect it, how it has change in the past and it is changing now 

Additional Program Requirements

Students must earn a "C" or better in all Area F and G courses.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
MATH 1113 or MATH 1131*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:
Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
Select two lab science courses from below: MATH 1131* or MATH 1132*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
“C”or better required in each course
GEOL 1121 Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology
GEOL 1121L Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology 1 Lab
Take the following physics sequence:
PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics 1
PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics 2
PHYS 1311 Introductory Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 1312 Introductory Physics 2 Lab
OR
PHYS 2211 Principles of Physics 1
PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics 2
PHYS 2311 Principles of Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 2312 Principles of Physics 2 Lab

Select 3 or more hours from the following:
ASTR 1105 Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System
ASTR 1305 Descriptive Astronomy Lab
ASTR 1106 Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
BIOL 1215K Principles of Biology
ENVS 1105 Environmental Studies
ENVS 1205K Sustainability and the Environment
GEOL 1110 Natural Sciences

Up to 3 can be added from Areas A, B and/or D with advisor approval.

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 36
“C”or better required in each course

Take one of the following:
ENVS 5125 Human Ecology
ENVS 5226 Culture and the Environment

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 24
Any 3000+ BIOL, CHEM, ENVS, or GEOL course.
With advisor approval, any 3000+ ANTH or GEOG course.

Total Hours Required: 123