Environmental Science Major, B.S.

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The Environmental Science major allows a student to obtain a broad understanding of the natural and social sciences, but the flexibility to permit the student to study one area in depth.

56 hours + 29 hours of supporting coursework

Environmental Science Core (13 hours)

GEOG 112 - Earth System Science Credits: 3 or
GEOL 131 - Geology, the Environment, and Society Credits: 3
BIOL 215 - Ecology Credits: 3
GEOL 311 - Concepts in Environmental Science Credits: 3
GEOL 481 - Advanced Environmental Geology Credits: 4

Required Coursework (25 hours)

GEOL 161 - Introduction to Geology Credits: 4 or
GEOL 151 - Geology of America’s National Parks Credits: 4
GEOG 215 - Climatology Credits: 3
GEOL 234 - The Oceans: Past, Present, and Future Credits: 3
CHEM 321 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4
GEOL 407 - Geomorphology Credits: 4
GEOL 441 - Hydrogeology Credits: 4
BIOL 452 - Biology and Environmental Science of Global Change Credits: 3

Complete at least 9 hours from:

ECON 338 - Environmental and Resource Economics Credits: 3
POLS 464 - Environmental Politics and Policy Credits: 3
PHIL 366 - Environmental Ethics Credits: 3
SOC 415 - Sociology of the Environment Credits: 3

Complete at least 9 hours from:

BIOL 221 - Introduction to Entomology Credits: 4
BIOL 305 - Aquatic Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 306 - Ichthyology Credits: 4
BIOL 321 - Invertebrate Zoology Credits: 4
BIOL 336 - Plant Physiology Credits: 4
BIOL 361 - Plant Systematics Credits: 4
BIOL 459 - Advanced Ecology Credits: 4
CHEM 241 - Organic/Biochemistry Principles Credits: 4
CHEM 341 - Environmental Chemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 354 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4
GEOL 411 - Geology of Soils Credits: 4
GEOL 455 - Global Quaternary Environmental and Geologic Change Credits: 3
GEOL 465 - Introduction to GIS Credits: 3
GEOL 475 - Remote Sensing and Image Analysis Credits: 3
ENGR 265 - Energy Systems and Sustainable Design Credits: 3
CE 441 - Environmental Engineering Credits: 4
CE 451 - Water Resources and Hydrologic Design Credits: 4
BIOL 499 - Independent Research Credits: 1-3
CHEM 499 - Introduction to Research Credits: 1-2
GEOL 499 - Independent Research Credits: 1-4

Supporting Courses (29 hours)

Science courses (26 hours):
BIOL 141 - Principles of Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 151 - Botany Credits: 3
BIOL 152 - Zoology Credits: 3
CHEM 261 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 262 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
MATH 230 - Calculus I Credits: 4
PHYS 175 - General Physics I Credits: 4 and
PHYS 175L - General Physics I Laboratory Credits: 0
Social Science courses (select 3 hours):
PHIL 435 - Philosophy of Science Credits: 3
SOC 370 - Seminar in Sociology Credits: 3 (Approved topics: Science in Society; Global Climate Change)