Program in Environmental Science
Careers
Graduates in the major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a faculty-initiated concentration in Environmental Science will be well qualified for a broad range of positions within the highly interdisciplinary field of environmental science. Consulting firms, industry, federal and state government agencies all require employees with this type of training. The demand for individuals with such a degree is anticipated to remain strong as our society attempts to cope with and address myriad environmental impacts that are occurring on local, regional, national and global scales. Additionally, graduates with this degree are well prepared to consider advanced degrees in the sciences, or other fields such as business administration (M.B.A.) or law (J.D.).
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a faculty-initiated concentration in Environmental Science
General Program B.S.: A minimum of 65 credits for the combined major and minor including: A ATM 210, A ATM/A ENV 315, 327, A BIO 120, A CHM 120 or 130 or T CHM 130, A CHM 121 or 131 or T CHM 131, A ENV/A GEO/A GOG 201, A ENV 250, 490, A GEO 221, A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118, A MAT 113 or 119 or T MAT 119, A PHY 140 or 141 or T PHY 141, A PHY 150 or 151 or T PHY 151; the completion of one of three 21-credit specializations.
At the time of major declaration, each student must select one of three specializations: Biology, Climate Change, and Geography. No course may satisfy requirements simultaneously in both the core curriculum (above) and any specialization. Each specialization represents an emphasis within the overall program that would best match a student’s interest and desired career path. For example, students seeking careers in land use planning and geographic information systems might opt for the Geography specialization. Correspondingly, students more interested in meteorology and climate would select the Climate Change specialization, while those keen on aspects of biological processes and ecology would select the Biology specialization.
Biology Specialization: 21 credits overall. Required courses (12 credits): A BIO 121, 201, 202Z, 212Y, A BIO 320. Elective courses: minimum of 9 credits from: at least 6 credits from A BIO 218 or higher, A CHM 220, 221, A ENV/AGEO 466, A ENV 496, A MAT 214, 308, 311, A PHY 240, A GOG 407.
Climate Change Specialization: 21 credits overall. Required courses (12 credits): A ATM 301, A ATM 306, A ATM 404, A ATM 405. Elective courses: at least 9 credits from A ATM 304, 307, 335, 413, 414, A ENV/A GEO 450, A ENV 496, I CSI 201, A MAT 214, 220, 308, 311, A PHY 240.
Geography Specialization: 21 credits overall. Required courses (10 credits): A GOG/A PLN 220, A GOG 290, A GOG/A PLN 330 or 430. Elective courses: at least 6 credits from A GOG 304, A GOG/A PLN 330, A GOG 344Y, 354, 390, 407, 414, A GOG/A PLN 430, A GOG 431, 479, 484, 485, A GOG/A PLN 495, 496, A MAT 308. At least 11 elective credits from the combination of the previous elective list and: A GOG 293, A ENV 496, A MAT 214, 220, 311, I CSI 201. Only one of A GOG 330 or 430 can apply to this specialization.
