Curriculum

Degrees

Major

  • Environmental Studies (B.S.)

Concentrations

  • Earth Science
  • Ecology and Environmental Biology
  • Environmental Management and Policy
  • Earth Science with 9-12 Teacher Licensure
  • Individualized

Minor

  • Environmental Studies

Earth Science: Mineralogy/petrology, structural geology, hydrology, and soils related courses meld to provide an understanding of earth processes with an environmental emphasis. All students are required to take core lab courses, but may tailor additional courses to emphasize soils, mineral processing, economic geology, and/or hydrology and water quality. Students seeking teacher licensure must fulfill all requirements for the Earth Science concentration, as well as other requirements in the education department.

Ecology and Environmental Biology: Forest and wetland ecology, freshwater biology, and wildlife management are just a few of the areas that may be explored, depending on the student’s professional interests. Students may choose from a variety of advanced environmental science, ecology, botany, and zoology courses.

Environmental Management and Policy: This concentration’s interdisciplinary curriculum provides students with a solid understanding of the scientific, economic, political, and social complexities of contemporary environmental management challenges. As well, students learn about the tools for evaluating and carrying out management strategies. The goal of the concentration is to provide students with the broad education and experience necessary for careers in natural resource and environmental management.

Individualized: This concentration provides the opportunity for design of a curriculum unavailable in the concentrations above. Like all majors, students complete the core courses in environmental studies but specialized courses are tailored to a common theme through consultation between the student and department chairperson. Examples of individualized options completed include environmental education, environmental planning, environmental journalism, and human ecology.