2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies environmental systems involving the interaction of geological, chemical and biological processes. Environmental scientists bring this systems approach to analyzing and addressing complex environmental challenges. The vision of the Environmental Science program is to cultivate future leaders who develop sustainable solutions for a healthier planet.
A degree in Environmental Science provides students the opportunity to engage in an integrative curriculum that combines rigorous academics in science and environmental policy with hands-on experience, fostering critical thinking and innovative problem-solving skills. Emphasizing collaboration with industry professionals, the Environmental Science major prepares students to tackle real-world challenges, including pollution control and mitigation, the effects of climate change, ecosystem conservation, alternative energy, waste management, and the impact of natural hazards. As part of this career-ready curriculum, students will earn at least one professional certification recognized by environmental science professionals.
Requirements for a Major in Environmental Science (71 credits)
ESC Core Requirements (11 credits)
- ENV 160 - Foundations of Environmental Science (4 credits)
- ENV 305 - Applied Environmental Science Experience (4 credits) - prerequisite: ENV 160 and junior standing.
- ENV 495 - Environmental Systems and Processes (3 credits) - prerequisite: ENV 305 and senior standing.
Complete the following interdisciplinary courses:
Biological/Ecological (15 credits)
- BIO 121 - General Biology II (4 credits) - prerequisite: MTH 108 and MTH 109, or MTH 110 may be taken concurrently.
- BIO 215 - Ecology (4 credits) - prerequisite: BIO 121.
- 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).
Chemical (13 credits)
- CHM 125 AND CHM 126 - Principles of Chemistry I lecture & lab (4 credits) - prerequisite: high school chemistry and MTH 108 and MTH 109, or MTH 110 (or equivalent by placement or exam).
- CHM 127 AND CHM 128 - Principles of Chemistry II lecture & lab (5 credits) - prerequisites: CHM 125, CHM 126 and (MTH 122 or MTH 124 or MTH 125 or equivalent by placement or exam).
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits) - prerequisite: (CHM 127 and CHM 128) or one full year of general chemistry.
Geological (11 credits)
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth (4 credits)
- GEO 220 - Earth Surface Materials and Systems (4 credits) - prerequisite: (GEO 111 or GEO 100 or GEO 103 or GEO 105 or GEO 107 or GEO 109) and (CHM 125 and CHM 126). Recommended GEO 112 and GEO 175 for Geology and Environmental Science majors; ENV 160 for Environmental Science majors.
- GEO 440 - Geohydrology (3 credits) - prerequisite: GEO 220.
Spatial Applications (6 credits)
- GPY 307 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 credits) OR NRM 250 - Natural Resource Measurements and Mapping (3 credits)
- NRM 405 - GIS Applications in Natural Resources (3 credits) - prerequisite: NRM 250 or GPY 307.
Additional requirements:
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits). Choose one of the following:
- GEO 330 - Data Analysis for Earth Scientists (3 credits) - prerequisite: MTH 122 or permission of instructor. Recommended GEO 112, GEO 175, and STA 215.
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits) - prerequisite: MTH 108 and MTH 109 (or MTH 110) or equivalent.
Environmental Policy (3 credits). Choose one of the following:
- EGR 406/NRM 406 - Renewable Energy Systems: Structure, Policy, and Analysis (3 credits) - prerequisites: Junior standing and (STA 215 or STA 220 or STA 312).
- NRM 451 - Natural Resource Policy (3 credits) - 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.
Electives - Choose at least 9 credits (total) with prefixes from at least 2 disciplines.
- BIO 357 - Environmental Microbiology (4 credits) - prerequisite: BIO 120 or permission of instructor.
- BIO 440 - Limnology (3 credits) - prerequisite: BIO 215.
- BIO 451 - Stream Ecology (3 credits) - prerequisite: BIO 215.
- BIO 461/561 - Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology (4 credits) - prerequisite: BIO 215.
- CHM 231 - Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credits) - prerequisite: CHM 109 or (CHM 127 and CHM 128)
- CHM 325 - Instrumental Analysis (4 credits) - prerequisite: CHM 221 or
- CHM 421 - Green Chemistry for Sustainable Environment (3 credits)- prerequisite: CHM 231 or (CHM 237 and CHM 238) or CHM 247.
- CHM 427 - Green and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits) - prerequisite: CHM 221 and either (CHM 235 and CHM 236) or (CHM 245 and CHM 246).
- GEO 312 - Sedimentation-Stratigraphy (4 credits) - prerequisite: GEO 112.
- GEO 320 - Geomorphology (4 credits) - prerequisite: GEO 112.
- GEO 420 - Glacial and Quaternary Geology (4 credits) - prerequisite: GEO 112.
- GEO 445 - Introduction to Geochemistry (3 credits) - prerequisite: GEO 220, MTH 122, and (CHM 127 and CHM 128).
- GPY 412/ENS 412 - Global Climate and Environmental Change (3 credits)
- GPY 327 - Place, Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)
- GPY 328 - Urban Ecological Design (3 credits)
- GPY 407 - Advanced GIS (4 credits) - prerequisite: GPY 307.
- NRM 240 - Principles of Climatology (4 credits)
- NRM 450 - Applied Spatial Analysis of Natural Resources (3 credits) - prerequisite: NRM 405 or GPY 307.
- NRM 454 - Watershed and Wetland Management (4 credits) - prerequisite: MTH 122 and NRM 250.
- OSH 460 - Environmental Compliance Applications (3 credits) - prerequisite: OSH 414.
Applied Training or Professional Certification
Through successful completion of this program, students will also earn at least one professional certification recognized by environmental science professionals. Students will have multiple options for completing this requirement, including certification opportunities integrated into coursework, widely promoted extracurricular programs, or external certifications. Advising and planning support for this requirement will be provided in EVN 160 and EVN 305. Documentation of certification completion will be submitted as a required assignment in ENV 495, the capstone course.
Suggested Order of Coursework
YEAR 1
- ENV 160 - Foundations of Environmental Science (4 credits)
- BIO 121 - General Biology II (4 credits)
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth (4 credits)
- Foundation - Writing
- General education courses
YEAR 2
- BIO 215 - Ecology (4 credits)
- CHM 125 AND CHM 126 - Principles of Chemistry I Lecture & Lab (4 credits)
- CHM 127 AND CHM 128 - Principles of Chemistry II Lecture & Lab (5 credits)
- GEO 220 - Earth Surface Materials and Systems (4 credits)
- GPY 307 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 credits) OR NRM 250 - Natural Resource Measurements and Mapping (3 credits)
- Quantitative literacy course (3 credits)
- General education courses
- Elective
YEAR 3
- ENV 305 - Applied Environmental Science Experience (4 credits)
- NRM 281 - Principles of Soil Science (4 credits)
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
- NRM 405 - GIS Applications in Natural Resources (3 credits)
- Environmental policy course (3 credits)
- Electives
- General education course
YEAR 4