Environmental Science
Interdepartmental Undergraduate Progams
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 biology, chemistry, earth science, geology, physics and mathematics, plus a major consisting of an integrated course of Environmental Science courses in the first two years of the curriculum. The upper level course courses emphasize a dynamic systems approach that provides a framework for integrating physical, chemical, and biological aspects of environmental systems.
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, calculus, and statistics.
2. 27 credits of course work in the major, including the Environmental Science core:
| ENSCI 110 | Orientation to Environmental Science | 1 |
| ENSCI 201 | Introduction to Environmental Issues | 2 |
| ENSCI 250 | Environmental Geography | 3 |
| ENSCI 381 | Environmental Systems I: Introduction to Environmental Systems | 3 |
| ENSCI 382 | Environmental Systems II: Analysis of Environmental Systems | 3 |
| Approved Environmental Science coursework | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
A combined average grade of C or higher is required in courses applied in the major.
Graduate Study
Environmental Science offers an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the 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.
Applicants should have completed an undergraduate or masters 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.
Curriculum in Environmental Science
Total Degree Requirement: 120 cr.
Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical cr.: 9 P-NP cr. of free electives: 2.00 minimum GPA.
Communications Proficiency:
6 cr. of English composition of C- or better.
Communication/Library: 9.5 cr.
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Library Instruction | 0.5 |
| Plus 3 credits of embedded communications coursework. | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9.5 | |
Humanities and Social Sciences: 21 cr.
| 12 credts from approved humanities list | 12 | |
| 9 credits from approved social science list | 9 | |
| (includes 3 credits of International Perspectives and 3 credits of U.S. Diversity from the approved lists) | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Mathematical Sciences: 7 cr.
| Choose one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Mathematical Modeling for the Life Sciences I | ||
| Choose one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Principles of Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
Physical and Life Sciences: 22-24 cr.
| Two semesters of general chemistry | ||
| CHEM 177 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 177L | Laboratory in General Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 178 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 178L | Laboratory in College Chemistry II | 1 |
| One semester of organic chemistry or biochemistry | 3-4 | |
| Elementary Organic Chemistry and Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry | ||
| or | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I | ||
| or | ||
| Structure and Reactions in Biochemical Processes | ||
| or experimental course AGRON 259X - Organic componds in Plant and Soil Environments | ||
| One semester of physics | 4-5 | |
| General Physics | ||
| Introduction to Classical Physics I | ||
| or experimental course PHYS 115X - Physics for the Life Sciences | ||
| One semester of general biology | 3 | |
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Three credit hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Biology II | ||
| Fundamentals of Soil Science | ||
| Soils and Environmental Quality | ||
| The Earth | ||
| Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists | ||
| Introduction to Weather and Climate | ||
| Total Credits | 22-24 | |
Environmental Sciences: 27 crs.
2.00 GPA required
| ENSCI 110 | Orientation to Environmental Science | 1 |
| ENSCI 201 | Introduction to Environmental Issues | 2 |
| ENSCI 250 | Environmental Geography | 3 |
| ENSCI 381 | Environmental Systems I: Introduction to Environmental Systems | 3 |
| ENSCI 382 | Environmental Systems II: Analysis of Environmental Systems | 3 |
| 15 credit hours from approved EnSci courses. | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 27 | |