Major in Environmental Science & Studies - Environmental Science Concentration
The Environmental Science Concentration prepares students to become environmental problem-solvers in a world confronting climate change, population expansion, pollution and depletion of natural resources. Students in this concentration select from several tracks depending on student interest in Biology, Chemistry, Geology or the more general, Environmental Science.
Environmental Science Concentration
The Environmental Science Concentration requires 43–45 units. Students then choose a track that provides advanced study in one of three different fields: biology, chemistry or geology, or for students who choose not to specialize, a more general Environmental Science Track is also available. Each track has its own required courses and electives. The Environmental Science Concentration requires a total of 71–86 units (depending upon the track selected).
Common Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIOL 206 & 206L | BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LAB] | 4 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 4 |
| GEOL 121 | PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3-4 | |
| TRIGONOMETRY AND ADVANCED COLLEGE ALGEBRA | ||
| PRE-CALCULUS | ||
| CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| BASIC STATISTICS | ||
| ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS | ||
| QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY | ||
| STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS I | ||
| Social Sciences/Humanities | ||
| ENGL 318 | TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC WRITING | 3 |
| or GEOG 383 | NATURAL RESOURCES AND SOCIETY: A GEOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE | |
| PHIL 255 | ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS | 3 |
| or HLTH 451 | INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | |
| Select two of the following sequences, which include both and upper level and lower level course: | 12 | |
| Sequence 1 | ||
| PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY and ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY | ||
| Sequence 2 | ||
| MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS | ||
or ECON 376 | NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS | |
| Sequence 3 | ||
| AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT | ||
or POSC 207 | STATE GOVERNMENT | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| WATER POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT | ||
| SCIENCE AND POLICY OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION | ||
| Applications | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIP | ||
| SENIOR SEMINAR | ||
| Total Units | 43-45 | |
Environmental Biology Track
Students must complete 28-36 units of course work for the track combined with 43-45 units of Common Required Courses (36 units of course work must be at the upper level).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 200 & 200L | BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] | 4 |
| BIOL 205 | GENERAL BOTANY | 4 |
| or BIOL 207 | GENERAL ZOOLOGY | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL ECOLOGY | ||
| PLANT ECOLOGY | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| CHEM 333 & 333L | ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEM [LECTURE] and ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | 5-8 |
| or CHEM 334 & CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II [LECTURE] | |
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9-12 | |
| NATURAL HISTORY INTERPRETATION AND PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION | ||
| HUMAN ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY | ||
| GENETICS | ||
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (if not taken as required) | ||
| MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| HUMANS, SCIENCE AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY | ||
| MARINE BIOLOGY | ||
| INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND SERVICE LEARNING IN THE TROPICS | ||
| CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOLOGY 2 | ||
| GENERAL ECOLOGY (if not taken as required) | ||
| MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION | ||
| LIMNOLOGY | ||
| EVOLUTION | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY | ||
| VASCULAR PLANT TAXONOMY | ||
| PLANT ECOLOGY (if not taken as required) | ||
| PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT | ||
| TROPICAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION | ||
| TROPICAL FIELD ECOLOGY | ||
| WETLAND ECOLOGY | ||
| FISH BIOLOGY | ||
| ORNITHOLOGY | ||
| MAMMALOGY | ||
| ENTOMOLOGY | ||
| HERPETOLOGY | ||
| ECOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS LABORATORY | ||
| MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND CONSERVATION | ||
| CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY | ||
| Select one additional course from among any of the Environmental Science and Studies tracks electives. | 2-4 | |
| Total Units | 28-36 | |
Environmental Chemistry Track
Students must complete 34-41 units of course work for the track combined with 43-45 units of Common Required Courses (39 units of course work must be at the upper level).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CHEM 220 & 220L | ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LECTURE] and ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LAB] | 5 |
| CHEM 333 & 333L | ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEM [LECTURE] and ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | 5-8 |
| or CHEM 334 & CHEM 336 & CHEM 337 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II [LECTURE] | |
| CHEM 472 | APPLICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED 3 | 4 |
| Select one of the following (additional prerequisites may be required): | 4 | |
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL ECOLOGY | ||
| LIMNOLOGY | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| GEOL 305 | ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| or GEOL 415 | HYDROGEOLOGY | |
| Electives | ||
| Select at six units from the following: | 6-9 | |
| INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS | ||
| INORGANIC CHEMISTRY | ||
| INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY LAB | ||
| PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| ADVANCED LECTURE TOPICS 2 | ||
| ADVANCED LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2 | ||
| CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY | ||
| METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| Select one additional course from among any of the Environmental Science and Studies tracks electives. | 3-4 | |
| Total Units | 34-41 | |
Environmental Geology Track
Students must complete 29-33 units of course work for the track combined with 43-45 units of Common Required Courses (36 units of course work must be at the upper level).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GEOL 305 | ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 331 | MINERALOGY | 4 |
| GEOL 410 | METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY 4 | 4-5 |
| or CHEM 220 & 220L | ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LECTURE] and ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LAB] | |
| GEOL 415 | HYDROGEOLOGY | 4 |
| PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED 3 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY | ||
| SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| SUSTAINABILITY AND THE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES | ||
| PALEONTOLOGY | ||
| STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY (if not taken as required) | ||
| PETROLOGY OF IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS | ||
| OCEANOGRAPHY | ||
| TECTONICS | ||
| SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY (if not taken as required) | ||
| GEOLOGICAL FIELD METHODS | ||
| Select one additional course from among any of the Environmental Science and Studies tracks electives. | 2-4 | |
| Total Units | 29-33 | |
Environmental Science Track
Students must complete 28-33 units of course work for the track combined with 43-45 units of Common Required Courses (36 units of course work must be at the upper level).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 200 & 200L | BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE] and BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LECTURE] and ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LAB] | ||
| ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEM [LECTURE] and ESSENTIALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY | ||
| METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY | ||
| PHYS 211 | GENERAL PHYSICS I; NON CALCULUS-BASED 3 | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: (additional prerequisites may be required) | 7-8 | |
| CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL ECOLOGY | ||
| LIMNOLOGY | ||
| INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY | ||
| HYDROGEOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS II; NON CALCULUS-BASED | ||
| Two additional environmental electives in the same discipline from Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Geography | 6-8 | |
| One additional course selected from among any of the Environmental Science and Studies tracks electives. | 3-4 | |
| Total Units | 28-33 | |
- 1
The requirement of MATH 117 MATH 119 or MATH 211 may also be satisfied by successful completion of MATH 273 or MATH 274.
- 2
Acceptable topics related to environmental science and studies. Please contact the Environmental Science and Studies program director for approval.
- 3
The requirement of PHYS 211 also may be satisfied by successful completion of PHYS 241.
- 4
GEOL 410 preferred.
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course availability, student needs, and student choice, individual schedules will vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| CHEM 131 & 131L (Core 8)1 | 4 | BIOL 206 & 206L (Core 7)1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: (Core 3) | 3 | CHEM 132 & 132L | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
ECON 201 (Core 6) | |||
| Select one of the following:2 | 4 | ||
POSC 207 (Core 11) | |||
| Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 | ||
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ECON 205, GEOG 375, MATH 231, or MATH 237 | 3 | ECON/GEOG/POSC upper level | 3 |
| ECON/GEOG/POSC lower level | 3 | Track Requirement | 4 |
| GEOL 121 (or Track Requirement) | 4 | Track Requirement | 4 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Core 5 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ECON/GEOG/POSC upper level | 3 | ENGL 318 or GEOG 383 (Core 9) | 3 |
| PHIL 255 or HLTH 451 | 3 | Track Requirement | 4 |
| Track Requirement | 4 | Track Requirement | 5 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Core 13 | 3 |
| Core 12 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| ENVS 482, 485, or 491 | 3 | Track Requirement or elective | 4 |
| Track Requirement | 3 | Track Requirement or elective | 3 |
| Track Requirement | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| Core 14 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 2 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
- 1
Students who place into a math course below MATH 115 should NOT be placed into BIOL 200 & BIOL 200L and should instead take GEOL 121 and/or GEOG 101.
- 2
BIOL 200 / BIOL 200L is required for Environmental Biology and Environmental science track and is a prerequisite for BIOL 206. However, students in other environmental science tracks that elect not to take BIOL 200/200L could consider GEOL 121 in this semester.
- Apply their knowledge of the sciences and the scientific method to collect, analyze and interpret data that they have collected or to critique the methods used by others to collect, analyze and interpret data.
- Identify the cultural, economic, geographic and/or political facets of environmental problems/situations and relate their understanding of these components to particular situations.
- Relate the theoretical background materials presented in natural science, social science or humanities courses to specific current environmental problems/dilemmas.
- Students will display competency in essential skills required of a college graduate by reading, interpreting, analyzing and evaluating written discourse.
- Students will display competency in essential skills required of a college graduate by researching a topic, develop an argument and organize supporting details (ILTC).