Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the major, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the broad range of environmental science disciplines and their contribution to our understanding of environmental issues
• Apply evidence-based scientific theory, concepts, and processes to propose creative, sustainable, and productive solutions to environmental challenges
• Understand and use analytical approaches to environmental tasks, including statistical, geospatial, and laboratory skill sets
• Effectively identify problems, generate testable hypotheses, design and document repeatable experiments, analyze data, and assess the implications of their findings
• Communicate scientific ideas and data in clear, precise, and understandable written, oral, and graphic formats

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

65 credits, including:

SUS201	Integrative Biology This course will introduce traditional biological concepts from molecules to organisms within an integrative and applied framework. Students will learn the interdisciplinary nature and common approaches of biology through applied topics relevant to sustainability such as human and ecological health, freshwater and marine fisheries, energy sources, and climate dynamics.	3
SUS201L	Integrative Biology Lab Laboratory exercises including data collection, small-scale experimentation, data modeling, and simulation will be experienced to complement the material covered in SUS 201. Two hours of laboratory will be held per week at the Eden Hall Campus aquatic science lab. Additional Fee(s): Laboratory fees = S50.	1
SUS202	Dynamic Earth Systems The earth is a dynamic, evolving system. This course provides an introduction to earth's formation, its materials composition and distribution, and the processes of the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere that interact to shape surface and subsurface features and conditions. The complex adaptive systems framework will be applied.	3
SUS352	GIS Software - Skills and Applications A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software is a powerful tool used in a variety of disciplines. Students will gain a foundation of GIS principles and applications using ArcGIS software. Topics covered include data development and management, spatial analysis techniques, communicating data visually and examples of hands-on GIS applications.	3
SUS301	Global Change Science The climate system of Earth is rapidly changing due to complex and interacting phenomena. This course offers an in-depth investigation of the science behind climate change, including a survey of model forecasts. Emphasis will also include the current and projected consequences of climate change on natural resources. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: ENV116 Global Environmental Challenges SUS202 Dynamic Earth Systems	3
BIO224	Botany An introduction to the structure and function of plants. Topics include the evolutionary rise of green plants, plant life cycles and development, plant physiology, plant ecology, and the morphology and taxonomy of vascular plants. The importance of plants fro humans is discussed, including their use for food and medicine. Three hours of lecture per week. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: BIO144 The Organism SUS201 Integrative Biology	3
BIO224L	Lab: Botany Experiments to complement the material presented in BIO224. Four hours of laboratory or field experience per week. Corequisite: BIO224. Additional Fee(s): Laboratory fees. Co-requisites BIO224 Botany	2
BIO248	Ecology A study of the interrelation between organisms and their environment. Three hours of lecture per week. Pre-requisites Complete all 2 of the following courses: BIO144 The Organism BIO143 The Cell Complete the following course: SUS201 Integrative Biology	3
BIO248LW	Lab: Ecology Experiments to complement the material presented in BIO248. Four hours of laboratory or field experience per week. Corequisite: BIO248. Additional Fee (s): Laboratory fee.	2
BIO303	Applied and Environmental Microbiology This course will focus on the importance of microorganisms in environmental and industrial processes, and the role of scientific research in finding solutions to applied problems. Areas that will be covered include basic microbiology, soil and water microbiology, agricultural and food microbiology, and public health microbiology.	3
BIO303LW	Applied and Environmental Microbiology Lab This course will focus on modern laboratory techniques for the identification, purification, and cultivation of microorganisms at the bench; combined with microbial genomics and applied bioinformatic analyses through participation in authentic scientific research. Co-requisites BIO303 Applied and Environmental Microbiology	2
CHM107	Chemistry I This course is the first course in a two-semester sequence designed to provide a robust foundation in the principles of chemistry. Topics include atomic and electronic structure, periodicity, nomenclature, dimensional analysis, reaction stoichiometry, molecular shapes, bonding, intermolecular forces, gases, solids, liquids, and solutions.	3
CHM108	Chemistry II This course is the second course in a two-semester sequence designed to provide a robust foundation in the principles of chemistry. Topics include thermochemistry, phase changes, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, reactions in aqueous solution, thermodynamics, kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: CHM105 General Chemistry CHM107 Chemistry I	3
CHM109L	Chemistry I Laboratory Introduction to the basic experimental procedures and laboratory techniques in chemistry. Experiments are correlated with the lectures in Chemistry 105 and Chemistry 107. Three hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: CHM 105 or 107. Additional Fee(s): Laboratory fee.	1
CHM110L	Chemistry II Laboratory Continued introduction to the basic experimental procedures and laboratory techniques in chemistry. Experiments are correlated with lectures in Chemistry 108. Three hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: CHM 108. Additional Fee(s): Laboratory fee.	1
CHM205	Organic Chemistry I Development of the structural theory of organic compounds. Relationship of structure to reactivity, stereochemistry, types of organic reactive intermediates, and the chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds are covered. Co-requisite: CHM 215. Pre-requisites Complete all 2 of the following courses: CHM108 Chemistry II CHM110L Chemistry II Laboratory	3
CHM215L	Elementary Organic Laboratory Basic manipulative skills, including introduction to several chromatographic techniques, are followed by chemistry of alkenes and aromatic compounds. Four hours of laboratory per week. Additional Fee(s): Laboratory fee.	2
ENV247	Environmental Geology Fundamental earth science concepts are used to assess the impact of global climate change, human demographics, and human development on the Earth’s natural resources. Course will also examine how natural processes interact with human activities.	3
ENV247L	Environmental Geology Lab Laboratory and field exercises will help students understand the fundamental earth science processes linked with global climate change and with human use of the Earth’s natural resources. Two hours of laboratory per week. Additional Fee(s): Laboratory fee.	1
ENV327W	Writing about Environmental Science This course is designed for students with some basic scientific skills, who might become scientists professionally, but all of whom will be communicating about science, often to non-scientists. In this course, we will read, discuss, and practice a variety of methods of communicating about environmental science, from popular culture to news to government reports. Students will competently translate scientific results into written journalistic English and will be able to evaluate scientific results from the news in terms of its scientific accuracy and clarity. Cross-listed as ENG327. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: ENV247 Environmental Geology	3
SUS4xx - Any 400 Level Sustainability Elective
ENV451	Soil Science Study of soils as natural bodies, media for plant growth, and ecosystem components. Topics include soil morphology and characteristics, composition, formation, conservation, and soil erosion. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils are related to the production of plants, the functioning of hydrologic and nutrient cycles, and the protection of environmental quality. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: CHM107 Chemistry I	3
ENV490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone is an extended project centered on a major; projects may include laboratory or fieldwork, creative work in the arts, advocacy work, or independent research; projects may be conducted in a group setting. Integrative capstones in the interdisciplinary major must be approved by both academic programs. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: ENV327W Writing about Environmental Science	3
SUS350	Skills for Sustainability Professionals This course promotes professional skills development for careers in the field of sustainability including career exploration, networking, job searching, application materials, and interviewing skills. Other topics include practical skills for presentations and small project recognition and development. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: SUS201 Integrative Biology	2
INTENV303	Internship - Environmental Studies Internship - Environmental Studies	3
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SUS305	Environmental Toxicology To be determined	3
OR
CHM343	Environmental Chemistry This course is an advanced study of the chemical principles underlying common environmental problems. It aims to deepen the student's knowledge of chemistry and its role in the environment and shows the power of chemistry as a tool to help us comprehend the changing world around us. Cross-listed as ENV 443. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: CHM205 Organic Chemistry I CHM206 Organic Chemistry II CHM209 Inorganic Chemistry CHM215L Elementary Organic Laboratory CHM216L Organic Chemistry Laboratory	3
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MTH110	Elementary Statistics Topics include statistical measures and distributions, decision making under uncertainty, application of probability to statistical inference, linear correlation, introduction to nonparametric statistical methods, and application to problems drawn from the natural and social sciences. Three hours of class per week. Three hours of class per week.	3