The Science Track (B.S.)

Students may earn a secondary B.S. in Environmental Science by following the subsequent plan of study:

Required Credit Hours: 36

Major Computing Requirement: The 400-level courses satisfy the Major Writing and Computer Proficiency Requirements by achieving a grade of at least C-.

Major Writing Requirement:  The 400-level courses satisfy the Major Writing and Computer Proficiency Requirements by achieving a grade of at least C-.

Core Requirements:

1. Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy
2. At least five credits of ENSP 200-250, including one ENSP 200-249 course and at least one ENSP 250 seminar
3. Four required courses in the Natural Sciences, at least one with lab: (at least 13 credits total). One from each category.
   1. Biology/Ecology: BIOL 220 Principles of Biology: Organisms, Ecology and Evolution (4)
   2. Geology:
      • GEOL 110 Earth’s Environmental Systems: Physical Geography (3) (preferred)
      • or 101 The Dynamic Earth: Physical Geology (3)
   3. Natural science course with field laboratory component:
      • BIOL 416 Ornithology (4);
      • BIOL 417 Population and Community Ecology;
      • BIOL 426 Aquatic Ecology (4);
      • BIO 427 Wetland Ecosystems (4);
      • GEOL 314 Watershed Dynamics (4);
      • GEOL 315 Hydrology (3);
      • GEOL 316 Environmental Geochemistry (3);
      • GEOL 320 Surface Processes: Landscapes & Water (4);
      • or other approved course
   4. Chemistry:
      CHEM 206 Organic Chemistry I or
      • CHEM 308 General Chemistry II (3) [CHEM 103 General Chemistry I and 151 General Chemistry I Lab are prerequisites for these courses]
4. Three required courses in Social Sciences and Humanities (9 credits). One course from each category.
   1. Social Sciences:
      • ECON 322 Environmental and Natural Resources Economics (3) [ECON 101 is a prerequisite for this course];
      • SOCL 308: Environmental Sociology (3);
      • SOCL 427: Globalization and the Environment (3);
      • ANTH 338: Native Cultures of Latin America (3);
      • GOVT 322: Global Environmental Governance;
      • GOVT 491: International Organizations and Environmental Governance;
      • or other approved course
   2. Ethics:
      • ENSP 302 Philosophic History of American Environmentalism (3);
      • ENSP 303 Topics in Environmental Ethics;
      • KINE 393: Health Ethics (3);
      • RELG 321 Ecology and Ethics (3);
      • or other approved course
   3. Other Humanities:
      • ANTH 315 Environmental Archaeology (3);
      • HISP 360: Cultural Constructions of the Environment in Latin America;
      • HIST 226: American West Since 1890;
      • HIST 490C: African Environmental History;
      • ENGL 475: Novels of Eco-Catastrophe;
      • or other approved course
5. Public Policy course:  GOVT350 or other approved course (3 credits)
6. Capstone experience: (3 credits)
   1. ENSP 440 Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy
   2. ENSP 490 Independent Research
   3. ENSP 495-496 Honors
   4. ENSP 498-499 Internship
   5. or other approved capstone experience with permission of the Director