2026-2027 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]
Environmental Science Minor
Environmental Science Minor (24-28 credits)
The environmental science minor integrates coursework across life, earth, and chemical sciences to provide students with a foundation in environmental systems and applied environmental problem-solving. Students gain experience in field, laboratory, and analytical approaches, as well as exposure to environmental policy and planning perspectives.
REQUIRED COURSES (12 CREDITS)
- ENV 160 - Foundations of Environmental Science (4 credits)
- ENV 305 - Applied Environmental Science Experience (4 credits) Prerequisites: ENV 160 and junior standing.
- CHM 109 - Introductory Chemistry (4 credits) OR CHM 125 and CHM 126 - General Chemistry I with Lab (4 cr) Prerequisite: High school chemistry and MTH 110(or equivalent by placement or exam). Note: This course (or sequence) serves as a foundation for advanced environmental and life science electives across the minor.
ELECTIVE COURSES (12-16 CREDITS)
- One course from three of the four elective categories (Life Science, Earth Science, Chemical Science, and Policy & Planning) (9-12 credits).
- One additional elective at the 200 - 400 level in any science category (Life, Earth, or Chemical Science) to provide depth (3-4 credits)
ELECTIVE CATEGORIES
Environmental and Life Science Category (choose one, or two if depth category)
- BIO 121 - General Biology II (4 credits) Prerequisite: MTH 108 and MTH 109, or MTH 110, or fulfillment of MTH 110 through Math Placement.
- BIO 215 - Ecology (4 credits) Prerequisite: BIO 121.
- BIO 440 - Limnology (3 credits) Prerequisite: BIO 215 or permission of instructor.
- BIO 357 - Environmental Microbiology (4 credits) Prerequisite: BIO 120 (or both CMB 155 and CMB 156), or permission of instructor.
- NRM 281 - Principles of Soil Science (4 credits) Prerequisite: CHM 109 or (CHM 125 and CHM 126).
- NRM 330 - Environmental Pollution (3 credits) Prerequisite: CHM 109 or (CHM 127 and CHM 128).
Environmental Earth Science Category (choose one, or two if depth category)
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth (4 credits)
- This course is preferred because it fulfills prerequisite requirements needed for many GEO courses in the Environmental Earth Science category.
- GEO 100 - Environmental Geology (3 credits)
- GEO 103 - Oceans (3 credits)
- GEO 105 - Living with the Great Lakes (3 credits)
- GEO 107 - Climate Change: A Hot Science (3 credits)
- GEO 109 - Natural Hazards and Disasters (3 credits)
- GEO 220 - Earth Surface Materials and Systems (4 credits) Prerequisite: GEO 111 or GEO 100, GEO 103, GEO 105, GEO 107, or GEO 109.
- GEO 440 - Geohydrology (3 credits) Prerequisite: GEO 220; MTH 122 or MTH 125; PHY 220 or PHY 230.
- GEO 320 - Geomorphology (4 credits) Prerequisite: GEO 112.
- GEO 420 - Glacial and Quaternary Geology (4 credits) Prerequisite: GEO 112; GEO 312 strongly recommended.
- GEO 445 - Introduction to Geochemistry (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEO 220; MTH 122 and also CHM 127 and CHM 128 (may be taken concurrently); MSL 201 strongly recommended.
Environmental Chemistry Category (choose one, or two if depth category)
- CHM 127 - Principles of Chemistry II Lecture (4 credits) AND CHM 128 - Principles of Chemistry II Lab (1 credit) Prerequisite: CHM 125, CHM 126, (MTH 122 or MTH 124 or MTH 125 or equivalent by placement or exam), and CHM 128 (may be taken concurrently).
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits) Prerequisite: CHM 127 and CHM 128, or one full year of general chemistry.
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits) Prerequisite: CHM 109 or CHM 127 and CHM 128.
- CHM 421 - Green Chemistry for Sustainable Environment (3 credits) Prerequisite: CHM 231 or both CHM 237 and CHM 238, or CHM 247.
Environmental Policy and Planning Category (choose one, or two if depth category)
- EGR/NRM 451 - Natural Resource Policy (3 credits)Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of General Education Foundation - Life Sciences; or permission of instructor.
- OSH 414 - Environmental Safety and Health Regulations (3 credits)
- PLS 303/ENS 303 - Introduction to U.S. Environmental Policy (3 credits) Prerequisite: Junior standing.
- EGR 406/NRM 406 - Renewable Energy Systems: Structure, Policy, and Analysis (3 credits)) Prerequisite: Junior standing and (STA 215 or STA 220, or STA 225, or STA 312).
- GPY 412/ENS 412 - Global Climate and Environmental Change (3 credits) Prerequisite: Junior standing, and either GPY 100 or ENS 201 or at least one course from Foundations - Natural Sciences.