Environmental Science

The Environmental Science program provides an interdisciplinary foundation in environmental science within the framework of a liberal arts education.  Because of the broad spectrum of environmental fields, students are provided with flexibility in selecting a course of study that reflects their specific area(s) of interest (i.e. analytical laboratory studies, field-oriented biology, political science, or some combination).  All students in the program are provided with a common foundation (the “Environmental Science Core”) and the opportunity to focus their studies in either the Science or Policy Track.  This B.S. degree program (57 to 59 hours) prepares students for future study and employment leading to several possible career paths in government, industry, research, and academia.  Independent studies are available; an internship is required.

Interdisciplinary Major

(B.S. degree) Fifty-seven to fifty-nine hours is required for the major depending on emphasis (Science Track or Policy Track).  The core is required regardless of emphasis. (No minor required)

Environmental Science Core (required of all majors):

Note: MAT 111 will also meet the Foundations and Core requirement in mathematics, but other mathematics courses will not meet the Environmental Science requirement.

Nine Courses (27  hours) as follows:

Science Track:

Requires 30 to 31 hours beyond the core (57 to 58 hours total)

Four Courses (11 or 12 hours) as follows:

A minimum of 16 additional hours. Select from the following:

One Additional Course (3 hours)

Select one upper-level course (numbered 300 or higher) from the Policy Track outside of the natural and physical sciences.

Environmental Policy Track:

Requires 31 to 32 hours beyond the core (58 to 59 hours total).

One course (4 hours).

Two courses (6 hours).

Six courses (18 hours) with no more than 3 courses from any one discipline.  Whichever course was not selected from the previous block (ECO 337, PHI 345, or SOC 355) may be included here.

One Additional Course (3-4 hours).

330. Environmental Science and Natural Resources. (3 hours) A study of the principles of environmental science and their application to current issues. Emphasis is placed on the use of natural resources (energy, mineral, water, and biological) and the consequences of that use (resource depletion, water and air pollution, hazardous and non-hazardous waste). Prerequisites: BIO 111 and junior or senior standing. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIO 314.                                                       Even Springs

332. Environmental Science and Policy. (3 hours) A study of the principles of environmental science and their application to current issues.  Emphasis is placed on addressing how risk is assessed, managed and communicated, how U.S. environmental policy has developed, and how regulations are formed, implemented, and enforced. The class will also discuss selected international policies, particularly those of the United Nations and Europe. Prerequisites: BIO 111 and junior or senior standing. Prerequisite or Corequisite: BIO 314.

Even Falls

440. Independent Study. (1-3 hours) An independent research project supervised by a faculty member in an appropriate discipline. Prerequisites: BIO 111, Sophomore classification, consent of supervising professor, and consent of the Environmental Science Program Coordinator.                                                                                                      As needed

450. Seminar. (2 hours) Development of library research and writing skills. Current environmental issues will be discussed, and students will prepare a review paper and make an oral presentation on their review topic. Prerequisite: Senior classification.           As needed

461-462. Environmental Science Intern Program. (1-3 hours for each course) Field experience in any area of environmental science education, management or research conducted through a governmental or private agency. Prerequisites: declared major in Environmental Science and permission of the Environmental Science Program Coordinator. As needed