Environmental Science Major

Environmental Science Major

two students walking together

Curriculum

Scientific rigor is stressed throughout the the program, beginning with the foundation courses in the first two years of the curriculum. The upper level core courses emphasize a dynamic systems approach that provides a framework for integrating physical, chemical, and biological aspects of environmental systems.

Both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have departments that contribute to this program. The major requirements for the degree are the same, but students can choose which college to study under based on the differences in general education requirements. Your advisor can help you pick the option that is right for you.

ENSCI Curriculum 2023-25 (PDF)

General Education Courses

Course lists for requirement groups such as International Perspectives, U.S. Diversity, Humanities, Social Science, etc.

College and University Requirements

Foundation Courses

Environmental Science majors complete foundation courses in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and mathematics.

Environmental Science Catalog

Environmental Science Courses

The major consists of an integrated core of Environmental Science courses with additional advanced course work in Environmental Science. The integrated core courses are: Environmental Geography, Biological Processes in the Environment, Environmental Systems I and II, and Introduction to Ecosystems.

EnSci Course Descriptions

Degree Requirements

Students seeking an Environmental Science major complete the following:

  1. A foundation of approved supporting courses in science and mathematics including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, calculus, and statistics.
  2. 32 credits of course work in the major, including the Environmental Science core (EnSci 1100, 2010, 2500, 2510, 3810, 3820, and 3840) and 12 additional credits of approved course work in Environmental Science. A combined average grade of C or higher is required in courses applied in the major.
student analyzing rock samples

Environmental Studies Double Major

For those majoring in another area of study, our program offers a double major in Environmental Studies option:

  • Agronomy (CALS)
  • Biology (CALS and LAS)
  • Geology (LAS)
  • Meteorology (LAS)
  • Natural Resource Ecology and Management (CALS)
    • Animal Ecology
    • Forestry
  • Community and Regional Planning (College of Design)

Program contains similar core requirements in math and science and cross-listed courses.

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