Environmental Science Major, B.S.

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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

University Core Curriculum: 22 Credits

Click here to view the University Core Curriculum requirements.

General Education Requirements: 39 Credits

Languages (4)
(proficiency through 202 or higher)
Fine Arts (4)
Physical Activity (2)

Environmental Science Major: 40-48 Credits

Environmental Science Core: 16 Credits

BIOL 203 - Foundations of Biology I (4)
BIOL 204 - Foundations of Biology II (4)
BIOL 326 - Environmental Science (4)
BIOL 438 - Biology Seminar (4) ^‡

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

Conservation/Stewardship Track: 12 Credits †

BIOL 333 - Genetics (4)
BIOL 422 - Plant Taxonomy and Local Flora (4)
CHEM 315 - Organic Reactions and Mechanisms (3)
CHEM 316 - Organic Reactions and Mechanisms Laboratory (1)

Public/Occupational Health Track: 20 Credits

BIOL 225 - Microbiology for Allied Health Sciences (4) ^††
BIOL 324 - Introduction to Toxicology (4)
BIOL 333 - Genetics (4)
CHEM 315 - Organic Reactions and Mechanisms (3)
CHEM 316 - Organic Reactions and Mechanisms Laboratory (1)
CHEM 325 - Quantitative Chemical Analysis (3)
CHEM 326 - Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory (1)

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 (three courses): 12 Credits

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: 19-27 Credits

Total Required Credits: 128

* The Public/Occupational Health and Policy tracks may substitute SOCI 101 .

** All tracks may substitute POLS 301 , PSYC 305 , SOCI 320 .

*** All tracks may substitute PHIL 200 , PHIL 311 , PHIL 314 , PHIL 328 , PHIL 330 , or PHIL 351 .

^‡ An oral presentation after an internship will satisfy this requirement.

^† Students in the Conservation/Stewardship track must take two field courses as electives, selected with the help of an academic advisor.

^†† Students may substitute BIOL 325 or CHEM 325 /CHEM 326 .