A major in Environmental Science requires: (1) a concentration in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics; (2) Research Topics in Environmental Sciences (EV 411); (3) Environmental Economics (EC335 or EC 340) or Public Policy Making (PS 321) (both are recommended); and (4) at least one elective from the following: Ecofeminism (WS 215), Environmental History (HY 212), Environmental Sociology (SO 254), or Environmental Ethics (PH 114 or PH 224). These courses are meant to give Environmental Science majors some breadth in understanding the importance of ethical, economic, and political influences in solving environmental problems in all parts and economic sectors of the world. Environmental Science majors should also consider taking any of the cross-listed EV courses that address their particular area of study.
Biology Concentration Requirements: A student interested in a major in environmental sciences with an emphasis in biology must take Flowering Plant (BY 105); Invertebrate Zoology (BY 108) or Vertebrate Zoology (BY 109); Ecology (BY 208); and at least three electives, one of which must be from at least the 200 level, and two of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. (BY 100, BY 120, FS 101, and half-block courses are not acceptable as electives.) In addition to the above Biology courses, statistics, (MA 117, EC 215 or BY 220), General Chemistry (CH 108 and 108), Organic Chemistry I (CH 250), and Organic Chemistry II (CH 251) or Environmental Chemistry (CH 210) or Quantitative Methods in Environmental Science (EV 211) are also required.
Chemistry Concentration Requirements: A student interested in a major in environmental sciences with an emphasis in chemistry must take General Chemistry I and II (CH 107 and 108); Organic Chemistry I and II(CH 250 and 251); Environmental Chemistry (CH 210); Analytical Chemistry (CH 241); and Instrumental Analysis (CH 342) or Biochemistry (CH 382) or at least one course in Physical Chemistry (CH 365 or CH 366 and 367). Advanced study in a topical area in Environmental Chemistry (CH 301) and a field Biology or Geology course (e.g., NS 200) in addition to Instrumental Analysis and Physical Chemistry are recommended for any student wishing to meet the American Chemical Society Certification guidelines in this field. In addition to the chemistry courses, Calculus I and II (MA 126 and 128); and Classical Physics I and II (PC 241 and 242) are required.
Geology Concentration Requirements: A student interested in a major in environmental sciences with an emphasis in geology must take Introduction to Geology (GY 130); Crystallography and Mineralogy (GY 201); Introduction to Petrology (GY 202); Hydrology, Environmental Geology, or Earth Systems (GY 250); Structural Geology (GY 315) or Geophysics (NS 207); and Geomorphology (GY 320). In addition Statistics (MA 117), or Calculus I (MA 126) and Quantitative Methods in Environmental Science (EV 211),and General chemistry (CH 107 and 108), are required.
Physics Concentration Requirements: A student interested in environmental sciences with an emphasis in physics must, as a minimum, take Calculus (MA 126, 128, and 203); Quantitative Methods in Environmental Science (EV 211); Introductory Physics (PC 241, 242, and 251), Electronics (PC 261); Techniques of Experimental Physics (PC 361), Mechanics I(PC 341), and Atmospheric Physics and Climate Change (PC 335). A student interested in an environmental science career or graduate school should take additional courses, such as differential equations, computer science, chemistry, and more physics.