Program Overview
The Environmental Science major curriculum provides a strong foundation for students planning a career in the environmental field. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary curriculum drawing heavily from biology and chemistry with important contributions also from ethics, theology, economics, and mathematics. It is the recommended major for students who will enter graduate programs in such fields as ecology, environmental science, environmental law, environmental public policy, regional planning, landscape architecture, conservation biology, and the marine sciences. The array of courses in environmental techniques, geographic information systems, chemistry, and policy, also equip students with the vital skill set necessary for immediate employment in the rapidly expanding environmental job market. Courses structured as consulting firms—in which the final course product is a formal report or recommendation to an off-campus client—provide exception real-world preparation sought by employers.
The recommended first-year curriculum for the environmental science major is identical to the biology major in order to provide maximum flexibility for students. An important feature included in the environmental science curriculum is the encouraged participation at Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, located in northern Michigan, or the QERC Costa Rica Program, situated in the cloud forest highlands in central Costa Rica. Information on these programs is available from the Department Office or your environmental science advisor.
Major Requirements
Complete the following for your major:
| BIOL 170 | Cell and Animal Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL 171 | Biological Sciences Cornerstone | 1 |
| BIOL 172 | Diversity of Life and Plant Science | 4 |
| BIOL 262 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 332 | Plant Taxonomy and Systematics | 4 |
| BIOL 336 | Restoration Ecology | 4 |
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 204 | Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences | 4 |
| CHEM 240 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| ENVS 270 | Environmental Techniques and Policy: Terrestrial | 2 |
| ENVS 271 | Environmental Techniques and Policy: Water and Wetlands | 2 |
| ENVS 495 | Environmental Science and Sustainability Capstone | 3 |
| GEOL 201 | Foundations of Geology | 4 |
| GIS 245 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| STAT 269 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
BIOL 262: Writing requirement for the major.
All Environmental Science majors intending to enter graduate school and whose work will involve a significant amount of chemical emphasis should substitute
CHEM 309, 310 for
CHEM 204. Likewise, a calculus course (
MATH 108 or
MATH 111) and/or physics (
PHYS 201,
PHYS 202,
PHYS 211 or
PHYS 212) are recommended for graduate school preparation.
All Environmental Science majors are encouraged to complete one course at AuSable Institute. AuSable courses can count only as elective credit. Majors are encouraged to do an internship and/or research experience.
The Costa Rica course does not fulfill General Education requirements for Ethics.
^Prerequisite(s) may increase the total credits required.
Four credits from the following:
Three credits from the following:
Seven to nine credits from the following:
1 BIOL 262 fulfills Writing in the major requirement.
2 All Environmental Science majors intending to enter graduate school and whose work will involve a significant amount of chemical emphasis should substitute CHEM 309, 310 for CHEM 204. Likewise, a calculus course (MATH 108 or 111) and/or physics (PHYS 201, 202, 211 or 212) are recommended for graduate school preparation.
4 All Environmental Science majors are encouraged to complete one course at AuSable Institute. AuSable courses can count only as elective credit. Majors are encouraged to do an internship and/or research experience.
5 The Costa Rica course does not fulfill General Education requirements for Ethics.
^ ENGR 453 has prerequisite(s) which may increase the total credits required.