Environmental Science Major
The environmental science major is designed to prepare you for a career in various fields related to the environment and sustainability. Our faculty provide a broad educational background useful for anyone entering the environmental field, including the areas of conservation, research, administration, environmental education, government, industry and environmental health. You can readily be paired with a second major or a minor in areas such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, business, or sociology/anthropology.
You may also opt for the environmental education concentration within the environmental science major. Environmental education has applications in both for-profit and non-profit venues, including zoos, businesses, nature centers, environmental/outdoor education facilities, conservation organizations and a variety of government agencies from national to local levels. This program is specifically designed to provide the science and environmental background and hands-on experience needed for graduates entering this growing field.
The following is an overview of courses associated with our environmental science major. We encourage you to speak with a faculty representative during your on-campus visit for detailed information about your specific program interests.
For an official description of courses and degree requirements, please reference our academic catalog.
Environmental Science Major Core Courses
- BIO 208 General Ecology
- BIO 406 Biostatistics
- CEM 151 General Chemistry I
- CEM 152 General Chemistry II
- CEM 153 General Chemistry I Laboratory
- CEM 154 General Chemistry II Laboratory
- SCI 105 Introductory Geology
- SCI 107 Environmental Science
Complete one of the following courses:
- SA 305 People, Resources and the World
- SA 307 Biocultural Ecology
Complete at least one course from each of the following groups:
Basic Biology
- SCI 102 Biological Science OR
- BIO 111 Principles of Biology-Molecules to Cells AND
- BIO 112 Principles of Biology-Organisms to Ecosystems
Biological Diversity
- BIO 150 Introductory Zoology
- BIO 160 Introductory Botany
- BIO 210 Entomology
- BIO 216 Ornithology
- BIO 313 Plant Ecology
Economics
- ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics
- ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECO 320 Environmental Economics
Environmental Ecology
- BIO 402 Ecosystem Ecology
- BIO 403 Environmental Health and Toxicology
Geography
- SCI 201 Intro to Physical Geography
- GEO 202 North American Geography
Recommended Electives
- BIO 207 Microbiology
- BIO 311 Pathophysiology
- BIO 402 Ecosystem Ecology
- BIO 403 Environmental Health and Toxicology
- BIO 404 Genetics
- BIO 415 Research in Biology (may be repeated)
- BIO 418 Independent Study
- CEM 332 Biochemistry - Biomolecules and Metabolism
- POS 202 American Government - State and Local
- SCI 302 Environmental Law
- SCI 410 Topics in Science