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 biology, chemistry, earth science, geology, physics 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.
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 Agriculture and Life Sciences
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. 32 credits of course work in the major, including a required core of 20 credits.
A combined average grade of C or higher is required in courses applied in the major.
1. Environmental Science: 32 credits
| ENSCI 110 | Orientation to Environmental Science | 1 |
| ENSCI 201 | Introduction to Environmental Issues | 2 |
| ENSCI 202 | Exploration of Environmental and Sustainability Issues | 1 |
| ENSCI 203 | Exploration of Environmental Science | 1 |
| ENSCI 250 | Environmental Geography | 3 |
| ENSCI 251 | Biological Processes in the Environment | 3 |
| ENSCI 381 | Environmental Systems I: Introduction to Environmental Systems | 3 |
| ENSCI 382 | Environmental Systems II: Analysis of Environmental Systems | 3 |
| ENSCI 384 | Introduction to Ecosystems | 3 |
| Additional ENSCI choice courses | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
2. Mathematics & Statistics: 7-8 credits
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Survey of Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Principles of Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
3. Physical & Life Sciences: 21-24 credits
| BIOL 101 | Introductory Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL 211 | Principles of Biology I | |
| 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 from one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| Physics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Classical Physics I and Introduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory | ||
| Choose 2 of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Soil Science | ||
| How the Earth Works | ||
or GEOL 201 | Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists | |
| Introduction to Weather and Climate | ||
| Principles of Biology II | ||
| General Chemistry II and Laboratory in College Chemistry II | ||
| Total Credits | 21-24 | |
4. Communications: 7-10 credits
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| Embedded communication coursework in ENSCI 203, ENSCI 381 and ENSCI 382 | ||
| Total Credits | 7 | |
Additional communication Courses required of majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
| SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| or AGEDS 311 | Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
5. General Education: 15-21 credits
General Education requirements in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Ethics | 3 | |
| International Perspectives course from university approved list | 3 | |
| US Diversity course from university approved list | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
General Education requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
| Arts and Humanities courses from college approved list | 12 | |
| Social Science courses from college approved list | 9 | |
| (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 | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Electives (28-35 credits)
LAS students must earn a minimum of 45 credits at the 300-/400-level.
A minimum of 120.0 Total Credits are needed for graduation
Environmental Science, B.S.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | BIOL 211 & 211L or Elective | 3-4 |
| ENSCI 1101 | 1 | CHEM 178 | 3 |
| ENSCI 2011 | 2 | CHEM 178L | 1 |
| CHEM 177 | 4 | MATH 160 or 165 | 4 |
| CHEM 177L | 1 | Social Science or Humanities Choice2 | 3 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | ||
| STAT 101 or 104 | 3-4 | ||
| 15-16 | 14-15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENSCI 2501 | 3 | ENSCI 251 | 3 |
| Social Science or Humanities Choice2 | 3 | Organic Chemistry Choice3 | 3 |
| PHYS 115 | 4 | Earth Science Choice3 | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | Social Science or Humanities Choice2 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Communications (Speech) | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENSCI 3811 | 3-4 | ENSCI 3821 | 3 |
| Environmental Science Choice1 | 3 | ENSCI 384 | 3 |
| Social Science or Humanities Choice2 | 3 | Social Science or Humanities Choice2 | 3 |
| Elective | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Environmental Science Choice1 | 3 | Environmental Science Choice1 | 6 |
| Elective | 12 | Elective | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| 1 | Students complete at least 27 credits in Environmental Science including ENSCI 110, 201, 250, 381, 382, and 15 additional credits of approved ENSCI coursework. |
| 2 | Students complete at least 15 credits in humanities and social science including at least 3 credits each in ethics, humanities, social science, U.S. Diversity, and International Perspectives from approved lists. |
| 3 | Students choose one course from the following Earth Science related courses: AGRON 182, BIOL 212, GEOL 100, GEOL 201, MTEOR 206. Students choose from one of the following Organic Chemistry options: CHEM 231 & 231L, CHEM 331 & 331L, BBMB 221, or AGRON 259. |
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/).