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Environmental Science BS
Program overview
Environmental scientists solve problems relating to power generation, waste reduction and recycling, pollution control, land use and land cover change, preserving biodiversity and ecological services, transportation, forestry, agriculture, economics, and a wide range of other areas. They study our relationship to nature and to each other, developing solutions that prevent or reverse environmental deterioration and work toward sustainability. Meeting these challenges requires problem-solving abilities based in science, mathematics, the social sciences, and other disciplines. The BS program provides students with the education and experiences they need to be successful.
Curriculum
The practice of environmental science demands that students be well-rounded specialists. To accomplish this, each student is required to complete an environmental science concentration in one of the following areas: digital imaging, environmental biology, environmental economics, environmental public policy, mathematics and statistics, or remote sensing. Students also may develop a self-designed concentration in an area of personal interest, subject to approval from an environmental science review committee.
Environmental science, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ENVS-101 | Concepts of Environmental Science | 3 |
| ESHS-200 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| BIOL-121 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| LAS Perspective 1, 2 | 6 | |
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| ENVS-201 | Environmental Workshop | 3 |
| ESHS-250 | Introduction to Hydrology | 3 |
| BIOL-122 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| STS0-220 | Environment and Society | 3 |
| ENVS-250 | Applications of Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| BIOL-240 | General Ecology | 4 |
| ESHS-201 | Environmental Monitoring and Measurement I | 2 |
| CHMG-141 | Perspective 5: General and Analytical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHMG-145 | Perspective 5: General and Analytical Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| MATH-161 | Perspective 7A: Applied Calculus | 4 |
| ENVS-301 | Environmental Science Field Skills | 4 |
| BIOL-475 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| ESHS-251 | Environmental Monitoring and Measurement II | 2 |
| CHMG-142 | Perspective 6: General and Analytical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHMG-146 | Perspective 6: General and Analytical Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Third Year | ||
| STSO-422 | Great Lakes | 3 |
| STAT-145 | Perspective 7B: Introduction to Statistics I | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | 6 | |
| CHMO-231 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHMO-235 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| LAS Perspective 3, 4 | 6 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| STSO-421 | Environmental Policy | |
| PUBL-210 | Introduction to Qualitative Policy Analysis | |
| STAT-146 | Introduction to Statistics II | 4 |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| ENVS-551 | Environmental Science Capstone I | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| ENVS-552 | Environmental Science Capstone II (WI) | 3 |
| IMGS-431 | Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 125 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
Accelerated dual degree option
Students may apply to the accelerated dual degree (BS/MS) option, which provides them with a considerable advantage over other environmental science graduates in the job market. The curriculum was developed in conjunction with an advisory board of environmental leaders to ensure that students’ education meets the current and future needs of the industry. In order to function as an environmental scientist, an individual must have an extensive background in mathematics, physical science, and life science. The BS/MS program is one of the strongest programs available with respect to mathematics and science.
Environmental science, BS/MS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ENVS-101 | Concepts of Environmental Science | 3 |
| EHSH-200 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| BIOL-121 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| LAS Perspective 1, 2 | 6 | |
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| ENVS-201 | Environmental Workshop | 3 |
| EHSH-250 | Introduction to Hydrology | 3 |
| BIOL-122 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| STSO-220 | Environment and Society | 3 |
| ENVS-250 | Applications of Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| BIOL-240 | General Ecology | 4 |
| EHSH-201 | Environmental Monitoring and Measurement I | 2 |
| CHMG-141 | LAS Perspective 5: General and Analytical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHMG-145 | LAS Perspective 5: General and Analytical Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| MATH-161 | LAS Perspective 7A: Applied Calculus | 4 |
| ENVS-301 | Environmental Science Field Skills | 4 |
| BIOL-475 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| ESHS-251 | Environmental Monitoring and Measurement II | 2 |
| CHMG-142 | LAS Perspective 6: General and Analytical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHMG-146 | LAS Perspective 6: Gneral and Analytical Chemsitry II Lab | 1 |
| Third Year | ||
| STSO-422 | Great Lakes | 3 |
| STAT-145 | LAS Perspective 7B: Introduction to Statistics I | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | 6 | |
| CHMO-231 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHMO-235 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| LAS Perspective 3, 4 | 6 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| STSO-421 | Environmental Policy | |
| PUBL-210 | Qualitative Methods and Analysis | |
| STAT-146 | Introduction to Statistics II | 4 |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| ENVS-551 | Environmental Science Capstone I | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | 6 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| ENVS-601 | Environmental Science Graduate Studies | 3 |
| ENVS-552 | Environmental Science Capstone II (WI) | 3 |
| IMGS-431 | Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing | 3 |
| STSO-630 | Biodiversity and Society | 3 |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Public Policy Core Elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Science Core Elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| ENVS-790 | Environmental Science Thesis | |
| ENVS-780 | Environmental Science Project | 3 |
| ENVS-670 | Advanced Concepts of Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| ENVS-650 | Advanced Applications of GIS | 4 |
| ENVS-710 | Environmental Science Graduate Research | 2 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| ENVS-790 | Environmental Science Thesis | |
| ENVS-780 | Environmental Science Project | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 155 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
Additional information
Cooperative education
Cooperative education is optional for environmental science majors, however, it offers students a great way to get a head start on their career with paid, professional work experience. Students can participate in cooperative education as soon as the summer after their second year of study. Co-op placements are typically with local, state, or federal government agencies, nonprofit environmental organizations, and a host of environmental consulting firms.
Employment opportunities
There is a great need for individuals who have both a strong background in environmental science and the ability to participate in an interdisciplinary problem-solving team. Upon graduation, students will be valued for their broad understanding of environmental science, their depth of knowledge in a particular aspect of environmental science, and their ability to attack and solve tough environmental problems.