Undergraduate programs

The Department of Environmental Science and Management offers two undergraduate degrees. The Environmental Science degree is focused on natural science, whereas the Environmental Studies degree is focused more on policy and management. The B.A./B.S. degrees in both Environmental Science and Environmental Studies rest on an interdisciplinary curriculum that develops understanding and expertise in environmental science by building on a foundation in mathematics, natural sciences, and economics complemented by related courses in environmental policy and management. Students should consult with a department adviser to assure proper course planning. Students can complete field experiences by working on projects in the University, metropolitan community, and region.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Environmental Science B.A./B.S.

Environmental Studies B.A./B.S.

Environmental Studies Minor

Environmental Science/Environmental Studies Honors Track

Sustainability Minor

Environmental Studies B.A./B.S.

Requirements

Department of Environmental Science and Management and the Department of Geography are collaborating to offer a degree in Environmental Studies. The degree prepares the students for more sophisticated upper division courses at the interface between science and policy by requiring them to take some prerequisite courses in natural sciences (biology, chemistry and physical geography) and some prerequisite courses in the social sciences (geography, economics and environmental policy).

A summary of the requirements are listed below:

  • 1 credit departmental orientation
  • 29-31 credits in natural sciences in the subjects of ecology, chemistry, environmental systems, and physical geography
  • 24 credits in social sciences and humanities in the subjects of resource management, economics, environmental policy and regulations, and others
  • 21 credits from a list of “skills” that includes quantitative analysis, visualization of spatial data, field methods, and others
  • 16 credits in an identified topical area. Choices include environmental systems, urban issues, resource management, nature/society interactions, or environmental education

There is a minimum of 90 credits required for this major.

Departmental Orientation

ESM 150Orientation to Environmental Sciences and Management

1

Total Credit Hours:1

Core Courses

Natural Sciences Core Courses

Biology (8)

8 credits in one of the following sequences:

Bi 252Principles of Biology

5

Bi 253Principles of Biology

5

 

Or

  

Sci 341Biology Concepts and Applications I

4

Sci 342Biology Concepts and Applications II

4

Chemistry (8)

(two quarters or one semester)

ESM 230Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry I

4

ESM 231Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry II

4

Environment Science (8)
ESM 220Introduction to Environmental Systems

4

ESM 221Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving

4

Physical Geography (4)
Geog 210Physical Geography

4

Senior Seminar
ESM 407Environmental Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours:29-31

Social Sciences and Humanities Core Courses

Human Geography/Management (8)

Geog 230Environment and Society: Global Perspectives

4

Geog 345Resource Management

4

Environmental Economics (4)

Ec 332Economics of Environmental Issues

4

or equivalent

Environmental Policy/Regulations (8)

ESM 222Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Consideration

4

ESM 335Introduction to Environmental Management

4

4 credits from the following list of courses:

ESM 330Environmental and Ecological Literacy

4

PS 319Politics of the Environment

4

Phl 310Environmental Ethics

4

Hst 339The Environment and History

4

Geog 347Environmental Issues and Action

4

Total Credit Hours:24

Skills

Students must take a total of 21 credits of skill courses, including the following:

Quantitative Analysis (4)

4 credits from this list:

Stat 243Introduction to Probability and Statistics I

4

Sci 314Environmental Statistics

4

Geog 496Visualization of Spatial Data

4

Geog 497Spatial Quantitative Analysis

4

ESM 340Research Methods in Environmental Science

4

Visualizing Spatial Data (8)

Geog 380Maps and Geographic Information

4

Geog 488Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction

4

Field Methods (4)

4 credits from this list:

Bi 473Field Sampling

4

Geog 420Field Methods in Physical Geography

4

ESM 342Field Methods

2

ESM 404Cooperative Ed/Internship

0-12

Geog 489Building a GIS Database with GPS

4

Geog 425Field Methods in Human Geography

4

Communications (4)

4 credits from this list:

Wr 327Technical Report Writing

4

Geog 481Satellite Image Processing

4

Geog 485Map Design and Production

4

Geog 495Maps, Models, and GIS

4

Total Credit Hours:21

Topical Areas (16)

Students must take at least 2 ESM 400-level courses and 2 Geog 400-level courses from an approved list of focus areas that is generated by the two departments.

Any course taken to meet the core content requirement cannot be used to meet the topical area requirement.

 

Total Credit Hours:16

Total Credit Hours: 89-91

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling major requirements. Additional courses may be required as prerequisites. All courses used to satisfy the Environmental Studies major requirements, whether taken in the department or in other departments, must be graded C- or above.