ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree is a rigorous interdisciplinary
curriculum that builds competence in basic science, environmental technologies, computation
skills, and communication skills. The program is designed for students with strong analytical
abilities with a curriculum of challenging courses in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science,
and mathematics. Computer applications are used in many courses, including at the higher
levels the use of software in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A high level of
competence in the use of word processing, presentation software, and spreadsheets will be
required. The Environmental Science B.S. degree allows students to select electives in biology,
chemistry, or environmental earth science.
The department believes that one becomes a scientist by "doing science", not just reading
about it. Therefore, the curriculum provides for a year-long research project during the senior
year, organized within the two-semester sequence "Senior Thesis I and II". This sequence
guides the student in becoming familiar with the scientific method and reading scientific
literature. Each student works with a faculty mentor on an individual basis during the senior
year to design and conduct a scientific study, culminating in the writing of a Senior Thesis
based on the student's work.
Course Requirements for the B. S. in Environmental Science degree
Liberal Studies Core (36 credits)
See catalog for details.
Public Speaking (3)
SPCH 111 Fundamentals of Speech (3)
Math, Natural Science, and Technology Core
ENV 120/121 Intro to Environmental Science I and II (6)
ENV 101/102 Physical Geology (3)/ Lab(1)
ENV 306 Oceanography (3)
ENV 312/313 Environmental Hydrology (3)/Lab(1)
ENV 400/401 Enviro. Toxicology (3) Lab (1)
ENV493 Environmental Engineering (3)
ENV 496 Senior Thesis I (3)
ENV 497 Senior Thesis II (4)
BIOL 122/123 Molecular/Cellular Biology (3) /Lab (1)
BIOL 124/125 Animal Form & Function (3)/Lab (1)
BIOL 126/127 Ecosystem Biol & Evolution (3)/Lab (1)
BIOL 331/332 Microbiology (3) /Lab (1)
CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry I (3)/Lab (1)
CHEM 114/115 General Chemistry II (3)/Lab(1)
CHEM 221/222 Organic Chemistry I (3)/Lab (1)
CIS any computer science course (3)
Two of the following three math courses:
MATH 111 College Algebra (3)
MATH 140 Calculus I (3)
MATH 141 Calculus II (3)
MATH 213 Applied Statistics (3)
PHYS 105/106 General Physics I (3)/Lab (1)
PHYS 108/109 General Physics II (3)/Lab (1)
Approved Electives (to provide a minimum of 128 total credits)
Biology
BIOL 223/224 Invertebrate Zoology (3)/Lab (1)
BIOL 298/299 Principles of Ecology (3)/Lab (1)
BIOL 340/341 Aquatic Microbiology (3)/Lab (1)
BIOL 342/343 Microbial Physiology (3)/Lab (1)
BIOL 381/382 Field Ecology (2) /Lab (2)
BIOL 385/386 Limnology (2) /Lab (2)
BIOL 323/324 Wildlife Management (3)
Chemistry
CHEM 224/225 Organic Chemistry II (3)/Lab (1)
CHEM 323/324 Organic Chemistry III (2)/Lab (2)
CHEM 336/337 Modern Analytical Chemistry (3)/Lab (2)
CHEM 366/367 Structural Biochemistry (3)/Lab (1)
CHEM 408/409 Advanced Instrumental Analysis (3)/Lab (1)
CHEM any additional 300 or 400 level chemistry course
Environmental Science
Any ENV course except those specified for non-science majors.
Typical 4 year program in Environmental Science
First Semester
3 Intro to Environmental Science I/ENV 120
4 Molecular/Cell Biology w/Lab/BIOL 122,123
3 College Algebra/MATH 111
3 College Composition/LENG 111
3 Intro to Philosophy/LPHI 131
16
Second Semester
3 Intro to Environmental Science II/ENV 121
4 Animal Form & Function w/lab/BIOL 124,125
3 Calculus I/MATH 140
3 Critical Analysis & Comp/LENG 112
3 Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121
16
Third Semester
4 Ecosystem Biology & Evolution w/lab/BIOL 126,127
4 General Chemistry I w/lab/ CHEM 111,112
3 Applied Statistics/MATH 213
3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI
3 Hist of West & World/LHST 111
17
Fourth Semester
4 Microbiology (3)/Lab (1) BIOL 331,332
4 General Chemistry II w/lab/ CHEM 114,115
4 Physical Geology w lab/ ENV 102/103
3 Theology II Series/LTHE
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
18
Fifth Semester
3 Environmental Toxicology/ENV 400
1 Environmental Hlth Lab/ENV401
4 Environmental Hydrology w lab/ENV 312,313
4 Gen. Physics I w/lab/PHYS 105,106
3 Literature Series/LENG
3 Computer Science Course
18
Sixth Semester
3 Environmental Eng./ENV 493
4 Organic Chemistry w/lab/CHEM 221,222
4 General Physics II w/lab/PHYS 108,109
3 Theo or Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI
3 Liberal Studies Elective
17
Seventh Semester
3 Senior Thesis I/ENV 496
3 Oceanography ENV 306
3 Approved Elective
3 Approved Elective
3 Approved Elective
15
Eighth Semester
4 Senior Thesis II/ENV 497
3 Approved elective
3 Liberal studies/Social sciences
3 Approved elective
3 Senior Seminar/LBST 383 or CHEM 420
16
Combined 5-Year B.S./M.S. Program in Environmental Science
Only students who have demonstrated unusual maturity and scientific aptitude will be
accepted into the Combined 5-Year B.S./M.S. Program. It is necessary for the student to take
up to 18 credits each semester as an undergraduate. It is necessary to plan early and apply
before the beginning of the junior year to participate in the combined B.S./M.S. Program. In
addition to the B.S. requirements, and depending on the area of concentration, the student
should plan to complete specific first year graduate courses during the senior year (see
below). No more than 12 graduate credits are allowed prior to the completion of the B.S.
degree. Graduate level courses taken when not previously approved for the Combined
Program will count only toward the B.S. degree. It will be necessary to spend the summer
after the senior year and/or after the first year of graduate school in course work, an
internship, or in a research project.
Recommended Graduate Courses during the Senior Year:
GENV 500 Environmental Research Methods (3)
GENV 520 Environmental Site Assessment or GENV 522 Wetlands Science & Engineering (2)
GENV 536/537 Env Chemistry and lab (4)
GENV 540 Industrial Health I (3)
GENV 544 Env Law & Regulations (3)
Total Course Requirements for the 5 yr Combined B.S./M.S. Program includes 164 credits (128
credits undergraduate plus 36 credits graduate). Consult the Graduate Catalog for additional
information about other requirements of the graduate program.
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