Environmental Science, B.S.
Program Description
The Environmental Science Program offers a specialized, integrated approach to global issues surrounding sustainability, the use of natural resources, how human activity impacts ecosystems, how such activity can cause degradation, and what can be done to mitigate this impact.
Why Take This Major?
Our program is designed to place graduates into positions in industry, energy and environmental, governmental and private, as well as in graduate programs in science or policy/management, and service institutions and agencies such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, etc. Environmental Science graduate have gone on to careers in fields such as oil, gas and coal, alternative energy, environmental management, resource management, land-use planning, environmental policy, and environmental law. The Environmental Science program can also serve as a pre-teaching opportunity that prepares students for certification in education. We train students in critical thinking skills, scientific problem-solving, and scientific field work in the major, and the Environmental Science major and minor are also excellent opportunities for future science teachers and educators. The Environmental Science curriculum contains an eclectic array of courses from many non-science related departments to broadly prepare students interested in the intersections of environmental science with areas such as policy and public health.
Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Required for Graduation
- Courses
- Major: 18
- Credits
- Major: 63
- Total: 120+ (Students must complete at least 120 credits)
- GPA
- Major: 2.0
- Cumulative: 2.0
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students should be able to think critically about problems in environmental sciences.
- Students should understand human actions that advance environmental stability as well as those actions that cause environmental degradation.
- Students should be familiar with the biological, chemical and geological processes related to environmental science.
- Students should be able to interpret scientific data in our sciences.
- Students should be able to use a variety of instruments commonly used to collect data in the field and the software that displays that information.
- Students should be able to communicate both orally and in writing concepts that are essential to the understanding of environmental science.
Progress Chart
Level One - Core Courses
12 courses and 2 modules required.
Major Requirements
Major requirements include 4 Level Two ILO requirements, fulfilled through the major.
Students must complete 18 courses from this major program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Level One - Core Courses | ||
| Universal Required Courses | ||
| Students must complete the following 4 courses. | ||
| ILO 8.1: Written Communication | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing I: Persuasion | 3 |
| ILO 5.1: Information Literacy | ||
| ENG 210 | College Writing II: Research | 3 |
| ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives | ||
| FYS 130 | First-Year Academic Seminar 1 | 3 |
| ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing | ||
| REL 100 | Religion Matters | 3 |
| Elective Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. | ||
| ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning | ||
| ENV 153 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MTH 120 | Calculus I | 4 |
| ILO 6.1: Technological Competency | ||
| CSC 152 | Computer Technology for the Sciences | 3 |
| ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/Collaborative Engagement | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Distinct Discipline Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.) | ||
| ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Universal Required Modules | ||
| Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules. 2 | ||
| ILO 7.1a | ||
| Health Literacy Module | ||
| ILO 7.1b | ||
| Financial Literacy Module | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Level Two | ||
| Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments. | ||
| ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience) | ||
| ENV 450 | Capstone (ILO 2.2) | 3 |
| Select one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies | ||
| ENV 310 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (ILO 3.2a) | 3 |
| ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course) | ||
| BIO 230 | BIO 230-Integrated Biology II: Populations and Systems (ILO 8.2b) | 4 |
| Select one ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility | ||
| ENV 402 | Environmental Air Quality (ILO 10.2) | 3 |
| All Other Required Courses | ||
| BIO 210 | Integrated Biology I- Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| BIO 230 | BIO 230-Integrated Biology II: Populations and Systems | 4 |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHM 262 | Organic Chemistry for The Life Sciences | 3 |
| ENV 202 | Earth Materials | 4 |
| ENV 305 | Environmental Chemisty | 4 |
| ENV 310 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ENV 401 | Fundamentals of Soil Science | 4 |
| ENV 402 | Environmental Air Quality | 3 |
| ENV 450 | Capstone | 3 |
| MTH 120 | Calculus I | 4 |
| POL 316 | Environmental Law And Policy | 3 |
| Required Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9-12 | |
| Microbiology | ||
| The Plant Kingdom | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Principles of Ecology | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Cooperative Education/Internship | ||
| Instrumental Analysis | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Fundamentals of Energy and Natural Resources | ||
| Role of Energy and Natural Resources in Modern Society | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Sustainable Energy Development | ||
| Regulatory Affairs | ||
| Environmental Philosophy | ||
| Environmental Health in Urban Communities | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take enough courses to the fulfill graduation credit requirements for their School and major. | ||
| Total Credits | 109-112 | |
- 1
NOTE. The following students use Level 2 Capstone Experience in Major instead of FYS 130 First-Year Academic Seminar: Honors, BUSCA, Core-to-Core, Transfer, and Non-Traditional/Evening.
- 2
The Modules are not required for Transfer Students, Core-to-Core Students, or BUSCA Students. BUSCA students are required to take modules if/when they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| ENV 153 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENL 153 | Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 204 or BIO 205 |
Antibiotic Discovery or Scientific Discovery: Phage Hunting I |
4 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENV 202 | Earth Materials | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIO 230 | BIO 230-Integrated Biology II: Populations and Systems | 4 |
| MTH 120 | Calculus I | 4 |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| ENV Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 7-8 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| POL 316 | Environmental Law And Policy | 3 |
| ENV 310 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| CHM 262 | Organic Chemistry for The Life Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENV 305 | Environmental Chemisty | 4 |
| ENV 401 | Fundamentals of Soil Science | 4 |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENV 402 | Environmental Air Quality | 3 |
| ENV Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 6-7 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENV 450 | Capstone | 3 |
| ENV Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 6-7 | |
| Total Credits | 63-66 | |
This is an example of a typical schedule, and classes may move around depending on when students declare their major.
Course Descriptions
Environmental Science
This course provides a study of the physical processes that affect the oceans of the earth. Emphasis will be on tides, currents, waves, chemistry of the sea, and geology of ocean basins. Three hours lecture.
This course is an introduction to the field of environmental science. Topics covered include climate change, the human impacts on water quality, the role of soil and agriculture on our food resource, the impacts of air pollution on human health, and the impact of humans on biodiversity. For Environmental Science majors and minors, ENL 153 Introduction to Environmental Science Lab should be taken as a co-requisite.
This course covers various topics pertaining to the earth and its place inthe universe. Major aspects of geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy are studied. Emphasis is placed on the interactions of earth systems, and the evolution of our plane
This course is an introduction to the materials that make up the earth and their composition, structure, classification and formation. Students will study earth resources and the environmental impact of resource usage. Topics include mineralogy, petrology (the study of rocks), energy, metals, fertilizers, construction/building materials, water and soil. Three hours lecture and three hours lab.
This course focuses on geochemical processes that occur at or near the surface of the earth which are of particular importance to environmental quality and therefore to humans and ecological systems. Students will explore the foundational concepts required to understand water and soil chemistry, Other topics include the study and use of analytical tools used to determine contamination in sediments, soils and water and the remediation techniques available to cleanup such pollution. Three hours of lecture and three lab hours.
Hydrology deals with the physical principles governing the flow of groundwater and surface water. Emphasis will be on well hydraulics and flow system analysis. Topics include water budgets, floods and flood frequency analysis, groundwater supply, steady state and non-steady state flow, hydro-geologic regimes, and introductory groundwater chemistry. Three hours of lecture per week.
Provides an overview of the basic concepts and uses of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. ArcGIS provides a means to explore data on a spatial level and communicate this information. Students explore GIS tools and learn to manipulate, analyze, visualize, and illustrate geographic data. Students examine relationships, trends and patterns using GIS technology. This course is structured to be a hands-on laboratory that covers both conceptual and technical topics.
An overview of soil science and how it supports plant life, covering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Students will gain an
understanding of soil formation, the classification of soils, and the chemical and biological reactions that occur in soils. In the laboratory, students will learn methods of soil analyses, including physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological analyses.
This course introduces the causes and effects of air pollutants on humans. The source of pollutants, their physical and chemical behavior in the atmosphere, and strategies to mitigate air pollution will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to systems modeling to understand the flow of sources and sinks of atmospheric pollutants. Three hours of lecture per week.
This course provides the student with an opportunity to do research with a faculty member. The student and the faculty member agree on the research project before the student registers for the course.
This course is a continuation of the 444 research course. It provides the student with an opportunity to continue to conduct research with a faculty member.
To be determined.
This is normally a full-time, paid employment at a cooperating institution/company to provide on-the-job training (part-time positions may qualify). It involves appropriate job-related learning assignments under faculty supervision. Position must be approved by the Program Director. Consult the Associate Director for Experiential Education in the La Salle University Career Center before registering for the course.