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Environmental Science

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Interdepartmental Undergraduate Programs

Environmental Science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. The magnitude and complexity of environmental problems are creating a growing need for scientists with rigorous, interdisciplinary training in environmental science. The Environmental Science program is designed to prepare students for positions of leadership in this rapidly changing discipline. Environmental Science graduates have a solid foundation in biological and physical natural sciences and the specialized training necessary for integrated analysis of environmental systems.

Undergraduate Study

The Environmental Science undergraduate major is offered through both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Environmental Science majors complete foundation courses in natural sciences and mathematics, plus a major consisting of an integrated core of Environmental Science courses and additional advanced course work in Environmental Science. Scientific rigor is stressed throughout the program, beginning with the foundation courses in the first two years of the curriculum. The upper level core courses emphasize a dynamic systems approach that provides a framework for integrating physical, chemical, and biological aspects of environmental systems. Beyond the required core, students select from a broad array of advanced courses to either develop greater breadth, or specialization in areas including, but not limited to, water resources, climate impacts and adaptation, environmental restoration and management, and geographic information systems (see https://www.ensci.iastate.edu/ for additional information on areas of specialization).

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should be able to:

Demonstrate a broad understanding of environmental systems and issues utilizing an interdisciplinary framework to integrate ideas and concepts from biological and physical natural sciences

Demonstrate proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving of relevant environmental systems/problems

Use a systems approach to conduct integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary analyses and modeling of environmental systems and problems

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

http://www.ensci.iastate.edu

Students seeking an Environmental Science major complete the following:

1. A foundation of approved supporting courses in science and mathematics including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics, and statistics.

2. 33 credits of course work in the major, including a required core of 21 credits.

A combined average grade of C or higher is required in courses applied in the major.

1. Environmental Science: 33 credits

ENSCI 1100Orientation to Environmental Science1
ENGL 2010Introduction to Literature3
ENSCI 2020Exploration of Environmental and Sustainability Issues1
ENSCI 2030Exploration of Environmental Science1
ENSCI 2500Environmental Geography3
ENSCI 2510Biological Processes in the Environment3
ENSCI 3120Ecology4
ENSCI 3180Introduction to Ecosystems3
ENSCI 3190Analysis of Environmental Systems3
Addional ENSCI choice courses12
Total Credits34

2. Mathematics & Statistics: 6-8 credits

Choose one of the following:3-4
Introduction to Probability
Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences
Calculus for Business and Social Sciences
Survey of Calculus
Calculus I
Introduction to Web Programming
Windows Application Programming
Introduction to Data Science
Data Acquisition and Exploratory Data Analysis
Choose one of the following:3-4
Principles of Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Total Credits6-8

3. Physical & Life Sciences: 21-24 credits

BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
Choose from one of the following:5-6
College Chemistry
and Laboratory in College Chemistry
General Chemistry for Engineering Students
and Laboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering
General Chemistry I
and Laboratory in General Chemistry I
Advanced General Chemistry
and Laboratory in Advanced General Chemistry
Choose from one of the following:3-4
Elementary Organic Chemistry
and Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
Structure and Reactions in Biochemical Processes
Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils
Choose 3 of the following:9
Introduction to Soil Science
Soil Conservation and Land Use
How the Earth Works
Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists
Introduction to Weather and Climate
Principles of Biology II
General Chemistry II
and Laboratory in College Chemistry II
Physics for the Life Sciences
General Physics I
Introduction to Classical Physics I
Total Credits20-22

4. Communications: 7-10 credits

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
Embedded communication coursework in ENSCI 2030 and ENSCI 3120
Total Credits7
Additional communication courses required of majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Choose 1 of the following:3
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
Professional Communication
Total Credits3

5. General Education:  15-21 credits

Additional general education requirements in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Humanities 3
Social Science3
Ethics3
International Perspectives course from university approved list3
US Diversity course from university approved list3
Total Credits15
additional general education requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Arts and Humanities courses from college approved list12
Social Science courses from college approved list9
(Select courses to include 3 cr. of International Perspectives and 3 cr. of US Diversity)
Students must have completed 3 years of a single world language in high school or take 4-8 credits of World Languages at the university level
LAS 2030Professional Career Preparation1
Total Credits22

Electives (28-35 credits)

As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Environmental Science students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated above for the major.

LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement.

Bachelor of Science B.S. (LAS)

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003ENSCI 20301
ENSCI 110011BIOL 21103
ENGL 20103BIOL 2110L (or elective)1
ENSCI 20201CHEM 17803
CHEM 17704CHEM 1780L1
CHEM 1770L1Mathematics, Programming, or Data Science choice3-4
STAT 1010 or 10403-4Arts and Humanities choice23
LIB 16001 
 17-18 15-16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENSCI 250013ENSCI 25103
Social science choice23Organic chemistry choice33
ENGL 25003Physical or Life Science choice33
Physical or Life Science choice33Arts and humanities choice23
Elective1-2Social science choice23
LAS 20301Summer: Consider field experience such as an intership or field station courses. 
 14-15 15
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENSCI 31204ENSCI 31803
Environmental science choice13ENSCI 31903
Arts and humanities choice33Arts and humanities choice23
Elective3Elective3
Elective1-2Elective3
 Summer: Consider field experience such as an intership or field station courses. 
 14-15 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Environmental science choice13Environmental science choice13
Social science choice23Environmental science choice13
Electives9Electives9
 15 15
 

Students in all ISU majors must complete a 3 credits in U.S. diversity and a 3 credits in international perspectives. Check the Environmental Science website (http://www.ensci.iastate.edu) for a list of approved courses.

Minimum of 120 credits required , including a minimum of 45 credits at the 300/400 level.

1

Students complete at least 32 credits in Environmental Science including ENSCI 1100, ENGL 2010, ENSCI 2500, ENSCI 3120, ENSCI 3180, ENSCI 3190 and 12 additional credits of approved ENSCI coursework.

2

Students complete at least 12 credits in arts and humanities and 9 credits in social science from approved lists. These credits can also be used to meet the U.S. Diversity and International Perspectives requirements.

3

Students choose one course from the following Physical or Life Science related courses: AGRON 1820, AGRON 2820, BIOL 2120, CHEM 1780 & CHEM 1780L, GEOL 1000, GEOL 2010, MTEOR 2060, PHYS 1150, PHYS 1310, PHYS 2310. Students choose from one of the following Organic Chemistry options: CHEM 2310 & CHEM 2310L, CHEM 3310 & CHEM 3310L, BBMB 2210, or AGRON 2590.

Graduate Study

Contact information for the graduate program:
Lynette Edsall
camelot@iastate.edu
515-294-1191
https://enscigrad.iastate.edu/

The Environmental Science graduate program offers an interdepartmental curriculum leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with a major in Environmental Science. Faculty from the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, and Liberal Arts and Sciences cooperate to offer courses and research opportunities covering a broad array of environmental topics. Cooperating departments include Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Agronomy; Animal Science; Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering; Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology; and Geological and Atmospheric Sciences.

Applicants should have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree in one of the biological, chemical, physical, or engineering sciences or should have equivalent preparation.

The Environmental Science Graduate Program emphasizes fundamental concepts and research, which at the same time address major environmental issues. The curriculum is designed to provide the interdisciplinary approach needed in environmental science education and research. In addition to work in their chosen area of specialization, students are afforded a broad exposure to the biological, chemical and physical aspects of environmental systems and the specialized training necessary for integrated analysis of these systems.

Information on application procedures, curriculum requirements, and faculty research areas is available on the Environmental Science Graduate Program website (https://enscigrad.iastate.edu/).