Environmental Science
Yelda Hangun-Balkir, Ph.D.
Program Director
Environmental issues represent some of the most important challenges facing the planet in the 21st century. As the nation's focus on the environment continues to grow, there is an ever-increasing demand for environmental science jobs. If you're seeking a career in this field, you can look forward to a far more robust job market than graduates of many other disciplines according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The goal of the Environmental Science program is to provide a foundation for understanding issues and solving problems involving our natural environment. It is an interdisciplinary science program that focuses on the state of the environment and serious environmental problems that the world faces. The program provides students with a strong science background focused on the environmental issues. Students will be expected to take a variety of courses in numerous departments. Through a series of academic courses and co-curricular activities, you will get hands-on experience and obtain the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary in order to solve the complex, interdisciplinary environmental problems facing the local community and society at large. The Environmental Sciences Program offers Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Sciences.
Our interdisciplinary science program is supported by a team of academic departments. Professors work closely with Environmental Sciences undergraduates as their study becomes more specialized. Such individual attention leads to fruitful partnerships when students become involved in research and other student-centered learning activities. Through coursework, projects and activities, you will develop scientific research, writing, and presentation skills.
Degree Plans
The following programs are offered:
- Major in Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Science Degree
- Bachelor of Arts Degree
- Minor in Environmental Science
Individual Attention and Mentoring
Students will receive individual attention during their entire undergraduate career. Each student plans a course of study in close cooperation with a faculty advisor, and the student's progress is closely coordinated with developing interests. Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to pursue independent research as an essential part of their educational program.
Career Choices
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of environmental scientists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. You will be prepared to enter government, academic, private or non-profit careers or to continue your education in a variety of scientific disciplines. Graduates would be trained to work in fields including environmental consulting, laboratory or field research, environmental education, medical school, environmental law, engineering, toxicology and waste management.
Major in Environmental Science
A minimum grade of C is required for all courses in the major. Students in this program must maintain a 2.8 GPA in the major by the end of the fourth semester. Students who do not maintain this GPA are advised not to continue in the major.
The following courses are required for all bachelors degrees (B.A. and B.S.). In addition, students pursuing a B.S. degree take 3 major elective courses* and students pursuing a B.A. degree take 2 major elective courses*.
| ENSC 101 | Intro to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENSC 201 | Sustainable Science and Technology | 3 |
| ENSC 301 | Environmental Science I | 3 |
| ENSC 302 | Environmental Science II | 4 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CHEM 302 | Analytical Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 319 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 323 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 113 | General Biology I Laboratory | 0 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II | 4 |
| BIOL 114 | General Biology II Laboratory | 0 |
| BIOL 223 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 220 | Ecology Lab | 0 |
| MATH 185 | Calculus I (MATH 155 or MATH 185) | 3 |
| MATH 186 | Calculus II (MATH 156 or MATH 186) | 3 |
| MATH 336 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| PHYS 107 | Introduction to Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 197 | Introduction to Physics I Lab | 0 |
| PHYS 108 | Introduction to Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 198 | Introduction to Physics II Lab | 0 |
| CMPT 155 | Computer Applications for Life Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 225 | Telling Stories with Maps | 3 |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Students pursing the B.S. degree will also need to take:
| CHEM 335 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 460 | Chemical Research | 1 |
*Major Elective Courses
| CHEM 309 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 433 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | Nanoscience I | 3 |
| CHEM 320 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 323 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHEM 333 | Solid State Materials | 4 |
| BIOL 217 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 225 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL 231 | Evolution | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Plant Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Animal Physiology | 4 |
| ENGS 204 | Environmental Engineering Principles I | 3 |
| ENVL 517 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| SOC 350 | Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 |
| SOC 334 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| POSC 223 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| PHP 418 | Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 |
| ENVG 510 | Hazardous Waste Management | 3 |
| ENVG 506 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes | 3 |
| SCI 202 | Introduction Geology | 3 |
| SCI 210 | Introductory Oceanography | 3 |
Minor in Environmental Science
The minor in Environmental Science requires the following courses for a total of 17 credits. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses.
| ENSC 101 | Intro to Environmental Science | 3 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| ENSC 301 | Environmental Science I | 3 |
| CHEM 319 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
PLANS OF STUDY
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENSC 101 | 3 | CHEM 102 | 3 |
| CHEM 101 | 3 | CHEM 104 | 1 |
| CHEM 103 | 1 | BIOL 112 | 4 |
| BIOL 111 | 4 | BIOL 114 | 0 |
| BIOL 113 | 0 | MATH 156 or 186 | 3 |
| MATH 155 or 185 | 3 | SCI 101 | 1 |
| SCI 100 | 1 | RELS 110 or ENGL 110 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 223 | 4 | ENSC 201 | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | 0 | CHEM 335 | 3 |
| CHEM 319 | 3 | MATH 336 | 3 |
| CHEM 323 | 2 | Modern Language | 3 |
| Modern Language | 3 | SOC 225 | 3 |
| CMPT 155 | 3 | ECON/POSC/PSYC/SOC | 3 |
| ENGL 110 (or RELS 110) | 3 | ||
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENSC 301 | 3 | ENSC 302 | 4 |
| CHEM 302 | 5 | PHYS 108 | 4 |
| PHYS 107 | 4 | PHIL 150 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | RELS Catholic Studies | 3 |
| PHIL 213 or LLRN 102 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Major Elective | 3-4 | Major Elective | 3-4 |
| Major Elective | 3-4 | Free Electives | 6 |
| RELS Contemporary Studies | 3 | MUSC 150 or ART 150 | 3 |
| ECON/POSC/SOC/PSYC | 3 | ENGL 150 | 3 |
| HIST 150 | 3 | Research | 1 |
| 15-17 | 16-17 | ||
| Total Credits: 129-132 | |||
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENSC 101 | 3 | CHEM 102 | 3 |
| CHEM 101 | 3 | CHEM 104 | 1 |
| CHEM 103 | 1 | BIOL 112 | 4 |
| BIOL 111 | 4 | BIOL 114 | 0 |
| BIOL 113 | 0 | MATH 156 or 186 | 3 |
| MATH 155 or 185 | 3 | SCI 101 | 1 |
| SCI 100 | 1 | RELS 110 or ENGL 110 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 223 | 4 | ENSC 201 | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | 0 | MATH 336 | 3 |
| CHEM 319 | 3 | ECON/POSC/SOC/PSYC 150 | 3 |
| CHEM 323 | 2 | Modern Language | 3 |
| Modern Language | 3 | SOC 225 | 3 |
| CMPT 155 | 3 | ||
| ENGL 110 (or RELS 110) | 3 | ||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENSC 301 | 3 | ENSC 302 | 4 |
| CHEM 302 | 5 | PHYS 108 | 4 |
| PHYS 107 | 4 | PHIL 150 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | RELS Catholic Studies | 3 |
| PHIL 213 or LLRN 102 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Major Elective | 3-4 | Major Elective | 3-4 |
| Two Free Electives | 6 | RELS Contemporary Global | 3 |
| ECON/POSC/SOC/PSYC 150 | 3 | MUSC or ART 150 | 3 |
| HIST 150 | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | ||
| 15-16 | 15-16 | ||
| Total Credits: 125-127 | |||
Courses
ENSC 101. Intro to Environmental Science. 3 Credits.
The course will introduce the field of environmental science and examine the environment from a scientific viewpoint. We will explore the concept of sustainability and how it relates to us, contemporary environmental issues related to health and disease, pollution, water resources, nonrenewable and renewable energy sources and global climate change. The course promotes critical thinking, problem solving, scientific and environmental literacy.
ENSC 201. Sustainable Science and Technology. 3 Credits.
ENSC 201 is intended for undergraduate students in environmental science, environmental studies, and related disciplines. In this course, you will learn about the history and practice sustainable science and technology, focusing on understanding a scientific approach to addressing interconnected environmental, social, and economic issues. To better learn to evaluate these topics following preventative approach elements of toxicology and comprehensive assessment developments will be explored. Prerequisites for this course include ENSC 101, Introduction to Environmental Science, and CHEM 101, General Chemistry I course. Students will not only examine case studies, engage in discussion of readings, and work on a semester long project, but have an opportunity to tailor this work to their interest and major subject of study using open-access technologies.
ENSC 301. Environmental Science I. 3 Credits.
Throughout the semester, students will study the science of air, water, soil and anthropogenic activities of Earth. The course will be designed to provide students with an understanding of the sources, reactions, transport and fates of natrually occurring and man-made systems. Major pollutants and their effects upon the environment will be studied.
ENSC 302. Environmental Science II. 4 Credits.
This course is the continuation of Environmental Science I (ENSC 301). During this course students will study the chemistry of the water and soil, and how anthropgenic activities affect this checmistry on planet Earth. Specifically, we will examine the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in water, and soil environments, and the effects of technology thereon. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Pre-requisite: ENSC 301.