Environmental Science Major (B.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Students majoring in environmental science will choose between one of three tracks depending on their academic goals. Each track emphasizes training in different areas, with broad flexibility in electives allowing the student to tailor the major to his/her specific interests. The major is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers, and graduate and professional programs.

Required Courses

General Education - Univ Core Curriculum: 22 Credits

Click here to view the General Education - University Core Curriculum requirements.

General Education - Distribution Areas: 24 Credits

Languages (4) (proficiency through 202 or higher)
Fine Arts (3)

See below for specific requirements for Natural and Computational Sciences, Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Humanities.

Natural and Computational Sciences: 5 Credits

Environmental Science Major: 52-60 Credits

Environmental Science Core: 20 Credits

Chemistry Core: 4 Credits

(Take CHEM 215 and CHEM 216 OR CHEM 310 and CHEM 311 , depending on the chosen track; see footnote) †

Geography Core: 4 Credits

GEOG 216 - Mapping a Changing World (4)

Environmental Science Tracks (choose one track): 12-20 Credits

Conservation/Stewardship Track: 12 Credits

Additional Field Course Elective: 4 Credits

(choose one)

Public/Occupational Health Track: 20 Credits †

Policy Track: 12 Credits

POLS 205 - Introduction to American Politics (4)
One ECON, POLS, SOCI 200-level or higher course (4)
One ECON, POLS, SOCI 300/400-level course (4)

Environmental Science Electives: 12 Credits

(three courses)

One BIOL 300/400-level course (4)
Two BIOL, ECON, GEOG, POLS, SOCI 300/400-level courses (8)

Note: One elective MUST be a field course

General Electives: 22-30 Credits

Total Required Credits: 128

* Students in the Public/Occupational Health and Policy tracks may substitute SOCI 101 for GEOG 216 .

** Students may substitute PHIL 200 , PHIL 311 , PHIL 314 , PHIL 328 , PHIL 330 , or PHIL 351 for PHIL 241 .

*** Students may substitute BIOL 432 for BIOL 438 .

**** Students may substitute POLS 301 , PSYC 305 , or SOCI 320 for MATH 240 .

† Students in the Public/Occupational Health track must take CHEM 310 & CHEM 311 , while students in the other tracks can choose either chemistry combination.

†† Students may substitute BIOL 325 for BIOL 225 .

††† Students may substitute CHEM 350 for CHEM 325 /CHEM 326 .