Environmental Science (Environmental Biology), Bachelor of Science

The multidisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science prepares graduates for careers at local, state and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, and environmental consulting firms. Additionally, graduates of this program are prepared to continue on to graduate studies in order to pursue research and scholarship opportunities. The program core focuses on key environmental issues while the restricted electives allow the students to choose to focus on areas of interest to the individual student.

Core Curriculum - 42 Hours

The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.

The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once. The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.

020 Mathematics - 3 hours

Choose one: 
MATH 1314College Algebra

3

MATH 1414College Algebra

4

MATH 2412Precalculus

4

030 Life and Physical Sciences – 6 hours

ENVR 1401Introduction to Environmental Science I

4

ENVR 1402Introduction to Environmental Science II

4

Three credit hours from each course applies.

090 Integrative and Experiential Learning – 6 hours

 
BIOL 1406General Biology I

4

ENVR 1401Introduction to Environmental Science I

4

ENVR 1402Introduction to Environmental Science II

4

One credit hour from each course applies. 

Major Requirements – 68 Hours

Required Courses - 35 hours

Environmental Science Foundation - 13 hours

ENVR 2301Earth System Science

3

ENVR 2302Environment and Society

3

ENVR 3303Research Methodology and Data Analysis in Environmental Sciences

3

GEOL 4411Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

4

Science Foundation – 22 hours

MATH 1342Elementary Statistical Methods

3

MATH 2413Calculus I

4

BIOL 1406General Biology I

4

CHEM 1311General Chemistry I

3

CHEM 1111General Chemistry I Lab

1

GEOL 1403Physical Geology

4

Three credit hours from BIOL 1406 apply. 
Choose one:
MATH 1314College Algebra

3

MATH 1414College Algebra

4

MATH 2412Precalculus

4

Choose one:
PHYS 1401General Physics I

4

PHYS 2425Physics for Scientists and Engineers I

4

Prescribed Electives - 8 hours

Required:

BIOL 1407General Biology II

4

Choose from:

CHEM 1312General Chemistry II

3

And

CHEM 1112General Chemistry II Lab

1

CHEM 2323Organic Chemistry I

3

And

CHEM 2123Organic Chemistry I Lab

1

GEOL 1404Historical Geology

4

MATH 2414Calculus II

4

PHYS 1402General Physics II

4

If selected, CHEM lecture and lab must be completed. 

Environmental Biology Concentration – 25 hours

Required - 8 hours:
BIOL 3409Ecology

4

BIOL 3420Environmental Biology

4

Choose 17 hours from:

BIOL 3404Conservation Biology

4

BIOL 4403Introduction to Remote Sensing Technology

4

BIOL 4388Global Change Ecology

3

BIOL 4414Plant Taxonomy

4

BIOL 4423Wildlife Ecology and Management

4

BIOL 4426/MARS 4426Marine Ecology

4

BIOL 4430/MARS 4430Coastal Ecology

4

ENVR 4321Soil Ecology

3

With approval from the department additional courses may be used to fulfill concentration requirements.

Free Electives - 10 Hours

Free electives credit hours required may vary to achieve the institutional minimum of 120 hours for a degree. Free elective credit hours at the advanced level may be needed to achieve the institutional minimum of 42 advanced hours. 

Total Credit Hours: 42

Total Credit Hours: 120