Environmental Science (BS)
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field directed towards understanding natural environmental processes, human interactions with the environment, and ultimately finding equitable and sustainable solutions to environmental problems. Major areas of focus include terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, soils, climate change, pollutants, and environmental regulations with an emphasis on experiential learning through field coursework, research and/or internships. The major is orientated towards helping students develop skills for leadership positions in federal, state, and local governments, conservation groups, consulting firms, and industry. The program is also ideal as a foundation for advanced study in law, policy, and scientific research specialties.
Program Requirements
Required General Education
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03
Math Requirement - Choose 4 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Prerequisites: Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, MATH 115 or both MATH 112 and MATH 113 with "C" (2.0) or better.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Soil Requirement - Choose 4 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03, GE-10
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03, GE-10
Major Common Core
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215 or consent
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: ENVR 440
Prerequisites: none
Statistics Requirement - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04
Ecology Requirement - Choose 8 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215, or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215, BIOL 306
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: BIOL 215, BIOL 217
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106
Major Restricted Electives
Choose 1 - 4 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106. RISEbio program participant, instructor permission
Prerequisites: Consent
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: none
Environmental Emphasis - Choose TWO courses from one of the following 5 clusters and ONE additional course from any cluster. At least two courses must have a laboratory component. Choose 11 - 12 Credit(s).
Aquatic Emphasis - Choose 11 - 12 Credit(s).
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Animal Emphasis
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Prerequisites: BIOL 306
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 306
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 306
Prerequisites: CHEM 201, BIOL 423
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215, BIOL 306
Plant Emphasis
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215, or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 217, one semester organic chemistry recommended.
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: BIOL 215, BIOL 217
Management and Conservation Emphasis
Prerequisites: BIOL 215 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 215
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215, BIOL 306
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: BIOL 215, BIOL 217
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: none
Chemistry and Geology Emphasis
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202
Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.
Prerequisites: CHEM 322 with a "C" (2.0) or higher.
Prerequisites: CHEM 324
Prerequisites: CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 305
Prerequisites: GEOL 100 GEOL 104 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121
Prerequisites: GEOL 104, and CHEM 191 or CHEM 201
Degree Plan
First Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03, GE-10
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.
Goal Areas: GE-04
Spring - 16 Credits
Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-03
Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 098 with grade of P.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-04
Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.
Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03
Second Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Prerequisites: none
Prerequisites: none
Spring - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106
Third Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215 or consent
Spring - 15 Credits
Fourth Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Spring - 14 Credits
Prerequisites: ENVR 440