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 70-71 credits (depending upon the specialization selected) for the combined major and minor including: A ATM 210, A ATM/A ENV 315, 327, A BIO 120, 121, 201, 202, 320, A CHM 120 or 130 or T CHM 130, A CHM 121 or 131 or T CHM 131, A CHM 124, 125, A ENV 105, 106, 302, 490, A GEO 221, A MAT 111 or 112 or 118 or T MAT 118, A PHY 140 or 141 or T PHY 141; the completion of one of four specializations totaling 21-22 credits.

At the time of major declaration, each student must select one of four specializations: Climate Change, Ecosystems, Geography, or Sustainability Science and Policy. No course may satisfy requirements simultaneously in both the core curriculum (above) and any specialization.

Ecosystems Specialization: 22 credits overall. Required courses (10 credits): A BIO 212, 327, 402. Elective courses (12 credits): A ANT 418, 419, A ATM 301, A BIO 308, 311, 321, 329, 343, 427, A ENV 250, 496, A GOG 496/A USP 456, R POS 266, R PAD 366, H SPH 321, H SPH/H EHS 323, H SPH 332. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken from R PAD 366, R POS 266, H SPH 321.

Climate Change Specialization: 21 credits overall. Required courses (12 credits): A ATM 306, 405, A ENV 415, 450. Elective courses (9 credits): A ATM 301, 304, 307, 335, 413, 414, A ENV 496, A MAT 113, R PAD 366, R POS 266, 399, H SPH 321. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken from R PAD 366, R POS 266, 399, H SPH 321.

Geography Specialization: 22 credits overall. Required courses (10 credits): A GOG/A USP 220, A GOG 290, A GOG 496/A USP 456. Elective courses (12 credits): at least 6 credits from A GOG 304, A GOG/A USP 330, A GOG 344, A GOG/A LCS 354, A GOG/A USP 375, A GOG 414, A GOG/A USP 430, 460, A GOG 484, 485; A ATM 301, 405, A ENV/A GEO 250, A ENV 496. (Selecting A GOG 414, 484, and 485 as electives completes the GIS Certificate.)

Sustainability Science and Policy Specialization: 21 credits overall. Required courses (9 credits): A ATM 304, A ENV/A GEO 250, R POS 399. Elective courses (12 credits): A ANT 418, A ATM 405, 413, A BIO 311, A ENV 496, A GOG/A USP 220, A GOG 344, A GOG/A USP 430, 460, A GOG 496 or A USP 456, R PAD 366, R POS 266, H SPH 321, H SPH/H EHS 323, H SPH 332.