Associate Professor Cawley, Coordinator
The Environmental Studies Program offers two interdisciplinary majors focused on environmental challenges: environmental science and environmental policy, focusing respectively on natural science and social science elements of environmental issues. Students considering either of these degrees should consult with the Environmental Studies Program Coordinator or other faculty members directly involved with the Program, as careful course planning is required.
Majors in the Environmental Studies Program
B.S. in Environmental Science
This major requires 18 units
A. Environmental Studies – 4 units
ENVI 200
ENVI 305 or 307
ENVI 310
ENVI 400
B. Biology – 4 units
BIOL 120
BIOL 125
BIOL 205 or 300, or 360
BIOL 210 or 235 or 240 or 315
C. Chemistry – 3 units
CHEM 111
CHEM 112
CHEM 250 or 370
D. Physics – 1 unit
PHYS 103 or
PHYS 201
E. Mathematics – 2 units
INQ 240
MATH 112 or
MATH 121
F. Economics – 1 unit
ECON 120 or
ECON 121 or
ECON 287
G. Political Science – 2 units
POLI 101
POLI 251
H. Sociology/Religion & Philosophy – 1 unit
SOCI 335 or
SOCI 337 or
PHIL 212 or
PHIL 231
B.A. in Environmental Policy
This major requires 16 units
A. Environmental Studies – 4 units
ENVI 200
ENVI 400
2 units from: ENVI 305, 307, 310 (ENVI 406 or 416 may be used for 1 of these 2 units with permission)
B. Political Science – 4 units
POLI 101
POLI 250
POLI 251
POLI 340
C. Biology – 2 units
BIOL 120 or BIOL 205
BIOL 125
D. Chemistry/Physics – 1 unit
CHEM 111 or
PHYS 103
(Or an appropriate introductory science course)
E. Economics – 1 unit
ECON 120 or
ECON 121 or
ECON 287
F. Sociology – 2 units
SOCI 101
SOCI 337
G. Mathematics – 1 unit
INQ 240
H. Electives – 1 unit from among:
HIST 210
HIST 218
PHIL 212
POLI 221, 222, 224, 225
SOCI 335
Minors in the Environmental Studies Program
Minor in Environmental Science (6 units required)
BIOL 125
BIOL 120 or BIOL 205
CHEM 111 or PHYS 103
ENVI 200
2 units from among:
ENVI 305, 307, 310, 406 or 416 (only 1 unit of internship or independent study may be used)
BIOL 205, 300, 360
CHEM 250, 370
ECON 287
POLI 251
Minor in Environmental Policy (6 units required)
BIOL 125
CHEM 111 or PHYS 103
ENVI 200
POLI 101
2 units from among:
ENVI 305, 307, 406, 416 (only 1 unit of internship or independent study may be used)
ECON 287
SOCI 335, 337
POLI 201, POLI 250, POLI 251
200 Environmental Science
An analysis of current and emerging environmental issues/problems facing life on our planet. The extent of human impact on the biosphere will be particularly emphasized. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Biology 101or the equivalent or 115 and Chemistry 101 or the equivalent or 111.
260 Special Topics
Examination of special topics concerning the environment. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: None.
305 Environmental Impact Assessment
This course will examine the development of environmental impact assessment policy in the United States and how such policy is applied to current environmental issues and problems. Examples will be taken from a variety of areas including toxicology, bioremediation, wetland protection and work/home environmental safety. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Environmental Science 200.
307 Appalachian Rocks and Waters
A systematic survey of Appalachian terrains, geology and paleoecology. This course examines foundational concepts of geology within a chronological scope associated with the Appalachian Mountain Belt. Topics include introduction to rock and mineral types, major index fossils, paleoecology, and basic landform geomorphology and rock process. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ENVI/BIOL 200 or permission of the instructor.
310 Modeling Environmental Interactions
An introduction to computer simulation modeling for undergraduate science students with no previous computer programming experience. The focus of the course will be on modeling biological, chemical, and physical processes relevant to problems in environmental science. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Any four courses in the natural sciences, Mathematics 112 or 121, and one additional course in mathematics or statistics.
400 Environment Clinic
In this capstone course, majors in Environmental Policy and Environmental Science will work together to explore a single topic in-depth. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Major in Env. Policy or Env. Sci., and senior standing.
405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research
Independent study or research related to the environment conducted under the supervision of an Environment Program faculty member. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisites: Major or minor in Env. Policy or Env. Sci., junior or senior standing, GPA of at least 2.0, and permission of the Environment Program coordinator. Environmental Science 405 is a prerequisite for Environmental Science 407.
416 Internship
Work experience related to the environment with a government agency, non-governmental organization, or business under the guidance of an Environment Program faculty member. (1)
Prerequisites: Major or minor in Env. Policy or Env. Sci, junior or senior standing, GPA of at least 2.0, and permission of the Environment Program coordinator.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study or research concerning the environment culminating in a written report. (1 /2, 1, 1 /2)
Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. Environmental Science 495 is a prerequisite for Environmental Science 497.