Note
The environmental science major reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the field of environmental science. Solutions to the environmental issues facing our society must be scientifically sound, yet they must also be socially, economically and politically informed to be successful in promoting effective and lasting change. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in the natural sciences, with courses in biology, chemistry, and applied environmental science. Students also take environmentally focused courses in the humanities and social sciences. Students gain hands-on experience in the field of environmental science through a required experiential component, which may be completed through an internship, research project or independent study. Environmental science majors are well prepared to pursue an environmental career or graduate education in the field.
Alternate environmental-related humanities or social sciences courses may fulfill this requirement upon approval by the department chair. Students must complete an experiential component consisting of 1-3 credits of an ( BIOL 480 Internship (1-4) ), (BIOL 398 Independent Study (1-3) ) or (BIOL 450 Undergraduate Research Experience (1-4) .
Students planning to apply for graduate school are encouraged to take MATH 247 Calculus I (4) and PHYS 101 College Physics I (4) -PHYS 102 College Physics II (4) or PHYS 201 General Physics I (4) -PHYS 202 General Physics II (4) .
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students must also earn a major GPA of 2.0, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Sample Four Year Sequence
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
FSYM 101 The First Year Symposium (3)
World Languages I (3)
BIOL 110 Introduction to Biology I (4)
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I (4)
14 credits
Spring Semester
Foundations in Social Science (3)
World Languages II (3)
BIOL 111 Introduction to Biology II (4)
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II (4)
14 credits
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
MATH 211 Mathematical Thinking (3)
BIOL 221 Genetics (4)
CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry (4)
MATH 247 Calculus I (4) (recommended)
15 credits
Spring Semester
PHIL 103 Foundations of Philosophy (3)
WCIV 102 Origins of the West (3)
CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry (4)
BIOL XXX/CHEM XXX Elective (4) *
14 credits
Junior Year
Fall Semester
WCIV 201 The Western Imagination: the Renaissance to the Great War (3)
PHIL 203 Philosophy in the Modern Age (3)
Elective (3)
BIOL 225 Environmental Science (4)
PHYS 101 College Physics I (4) OR PHYS 201 General Physics I (4) (recommended)
17 credits
Spring Semester
THEOL 220 Belief in Today’s World (3)
AMER 202 America in the World (3)
Elective (3)
BIOL 340 Conservation Biology (3)
PHYS 102 College Physics II (4) OR PHYS 202 General Physics II (4)
16 credits
Senior Year
Fall Semester
THEOL 320 Encountering Christ (3)
XXMO 300 Modernity in Lit. or Art (3)
BIOL 204 Ecology (4)
CHEM 210 Analytical Chemistry (4)
Interdisciplinary Elective (Choose One): CJUST 320 Special Topics (3) , ENGL 388 Literature and the Environment (3) , PHIL 333 Environmental Philosophy (3) , PSCI 337 Environmental Law and Politics (3) , PSCI 348 Human Rights (3) , OR PSYCH 360 Environmental Psychology (3)
17 credits
Spring Semester
THEOL/PHIL 300 Ethics in the Human Good (3)
XXGE 3XX Global Encounters (3)
Elective (3)
Expermental Component (3)*
Interdisciplinary Elective (Choose One): CJUST 320 Special Topics (3) , ENGL 388 Literature and the Environment (3) , PHIL 333 Environmental Philosophy (3) , PSCI 337 Environmental Law and Politics (3) , PSCI 348 Human Rights (3) , OR PSYCH 360 Environmental Psychology (3)
15 credits
*Expermental Component may be 1-3 credits depending on interest and credit needs for graduation.
- Students testing into a World Language at the 201 level or higher will take only one semester of language in the fall semester of freshman year.