Jul 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Environmental Science Major


The Environmental Science major provides students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary educational experience that prepares them for careers in natural and physical science. This program equips students with the interdisciplinary skills to examine, analyze, and understand the complex dynamic interaction of physical, chemical, biological, and social systems, and collaborate to resolve complex interdisciplinary environmental problems. By emphasizing professional skills training, including field, laboratory, and computer-based methods, students gain applied science knowledge through experiential learning that prepares them for environmental career opportunities by practicing hands-on techniques such as in natural resource management, environmental assessment, pollution remediation, and environmental technologies, and other environmental science careers.

As a requirement for graduation, all Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences Department majors must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.25 for all courses constituting the major curriculum. Exceptions must be requested via petition to the department’s appeal committee.

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences  department page.

For related information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientis…

Total Credits Required 120 Credits


General Education 30-40 Credits


Required Courses in Major 46 Credits


Students must complete the core, other required courses and one of four areas of concentration. GC 100 or GC 101 should be taken during the first year of the program.

Concentration 16 Credits


Choose 16 credits from one of the following concentrations, with no more than 12 credits from one prefix without prior approval.

Natural Resources Concentration 16 Credits

Required course: 4 Credits

Pollution Control and Remediation Concentration Credits 16

Required courses: 5 or 8 Credits

Renewable Energy Technologies Concentration 16 Credits

Required course: 4 Credits

Water Resources Concentration 16 Credits

Required course: 4 Credits

Notes:


This major does not require a minor.

Recommended Electives
It is recommended that students consult with their advisor and consider taking an internship and world languages and cultures, business, economics and policy-related courses. 

Prerequisite Notes:
DATA 109 is a prerequisite to BI 310.

Mathematics placement at MA 115 or higher is a prerequisite to GC 235. DATA 109 is recommended.

MA 115 is a prerequisite to MA 161.

MA 161 is a prerequisite to PH 220.