Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science

BS in Environmental Science

Students seeking to earn an environmental science degree spend their studies seeking to understand the physical processes that sit at the human/natural interface. Students in the bachelor of science program learn the technical skills to measure the ways that humans impact the environment. Our graduates work as environmental scientists, policymakers, government staff, and more. 

Students seeking to earn a BS in Environmental Studies can specialize in one of three areas. Students who matriculated before Fall 2021 may choose one of the following specializations or choose the program listed further down.

• Environmental Science - Ecosystems

  Ecosystems students spend their time examining how ecological systems work and the ways that humans impact them.

  You can see the Ecosystems coursework here.

• Environmental Science - Earth Systems 

  Earth Systems students examine the large physical systems, such as oceans, climate, and geological processes, that shape our planet.

  You can see the Earth Systems coursework here.

• Environmental Science - Environmental Systems

  Environmental Systems. This track is only for some transfer students.

  See the Environmental Studies advisor for more information.

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Pre-2021 students may choose to follow this program

• Five core courses
  • Envi 101 - Humans & Ecological Environment
  • Envi 201 - Humans & Physical Environment
  • Chem 104 + 106 or Envi 140 + Chem 106 or Chem 107 or 111 - Introductory Chemistry
  • Econ 160 - Principles of Microeconomics
  • Envi/Geog 239 - Environmental Planning and Policy or Envi/Phil 149-Environmental Ethics and Policy or Envi 230 - Introduction to Environmental Policy.
• Problem-oriented courses

  Select two of the following:

  • Envi 397 - Independent Study
  • Envi 413 - Environmental Impact Statements
  • Envi 415 - Environmental Planning
  • Envi 495 - Internship in Environmental Studies
  • Envi 498 - Senior Thesis
  • Envi 499 - Honors Thesis
• Eleven courses in one of the following science specializations, differing from the BA by adding 1 second-year chemistry course and 2 additional courses within the primary science discipline
  • Ecosystems
  • Earth Sciences and Natural Resources
  • Environmental Chemistry

  NOTE: no courses for which a student receives a grade lower than C- will count toward fulfilling major requirements. Also, no courses for the major may be taken pass-fail, except for Envi 491 and Envi 495 (for which pass-fail is the only option).

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Specializations for BS Degree in Environmental Science

• Ecosystems BS
  • Core courses: BIOL 114 (was 117) and either BIOL 355 or 373
  • Second-year chemistry: CHEM 221 or 231. Note: if you've taken CHEM 107 for the general major requirement, be sure to take CHEM 108 before taking either of these courses.
  • Ecology courses: 24 credits drawn from BIOL 113 and 115 (was 118), 351*, 352*, 370, 371, 374 (2 cr), 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 441 (2 cr), 450*, 453*, 455, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 479 (2 cr); GEOG 322, 323; ENVI 325, 327. *Only 8 credits of non-lab courses may be taken for this requirement. Non-lab courses are noted with a *.
  • Two courses in the social sciences. These include several Environmental Studies courses—ENVI 312, 325, 382 (if social science), 457, 481 (if social science)—as well as relevant social science courses taken from Anthropology (cultural courses), Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, as well as a select number of History and Philosophy courses. One course must be 300 level or higher, whereas the other can be at any level.
• Earth Sciences - Natural Resources BS
  • One introductory geology course chosen from GEOL 111, 113, 114, 115, or 116.
    
  • Core courses: GEOL 311 and GEOL/ENVI 304
    
  • Second-year chemistry: CHEM 221 or 231. Note: if you've taken CHEM 107 for the general major requirement, be sure to take CHEM 108 before taking either of these courses.
    
  • Five courses in environmental geology from among GEOL 205, 301, 303, 344, 411, 413, 414, 416, 423, 436, 453, 465, 470; GEOL/ENVI 342. Only one of these courses may be below the 300 level.
    
  • Two courses in the social sciences. These include several Environmental Studies courses—ENVI 312, 325, 382 (if social science), 457, 481 (if social science)—as well as relevant social science courses taken from Anthropology (cultural courses), Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, as well as a select number of History and Philosophy courses. One course must be 300 level or higher, whereas the other can be at any level.
• Environmental Chemistry BS
  • Core courses: BIOL 114 (was 117), CHEM 221, CHEM 231, and GEOL/ENVI 304
    
  • Five courses from CHEM 332, 341, 351, 361, 422, 431, 434; GEOL 342, 465, 470.
    
  • Two courses in the social sciences. These include several Environmental Studies courses—ENVI 312, 325, 382 (if social science), 457, 481 (if social science)—as well as relevant social science courses taken from Anthropology (cultural courses), Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, as well as a select number of History and Philosophy courses. One course must be 300 level or higher, whereas the other can be at any level.
• Relevant Social-Science Courses
  • Cultural Anthropology courses: ANTH 111, 124, 166, 244, 252, 254, 256, 258, 273, 275, 277, 354, 362, 363, 364, 365, 367, 369, 370, 451, 455, 457.
    
  • Art History Architecture courses: ARTH 103, 276, 279.
    
  • Economics courses (note that some courses may have pre-requisites and be restricted to certain majors): ECON 162, 314, 317, 331, 350, 360, 362, 414, 430, 431, 433, 440, 443, 445, 461, 466.
    
  • Geography courses (note that some courses may be restricted to certain majors): GEOG 101, 103, 151, 211, 212, 232, 233, 234, 235, 239, 259, 323, 330, 333, 335, 336, 337, 341, 345, 347, 350, 352, 356, 357, 360, 361, 375, 422, 445, 457, 460, 463, 465.
    
  • History courses: HIST 237, 238, 356.
    
  • Philosophy courses: PHIL 146, 147, 345, 455, 457G.
    
  • Political Science courses (note that some courses may be restricted to certain majors): PLSC 111, 112, 113, 117, 311, 321, 323, 326, 327, 331, 333, 340, 348, 356, 360, 366, 373, 414, 419, 421, 433, 435, 441, 442.
    
  • Sociology courses: SOC 100, 226, 240, 301, 307, 325, 326, 358, 359, 367, 368, 374, 375, 378.