Degree Information
About the Bachelors of Science Degree
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.
Environmental Science Catalog EnSci Curriculum (22-23)
EnSci Curriculum (21-22) EnSci Curriculum (20-21) EnSci Curriculum (19-20) EnSci Curriculum (18-19) EnSci Curriculum (17-18)
English Proficiency Requirement
Iowa State’s English proficiency requirement is being revised, effective for students entering Summer 2017 or later.
Below is a draft of the updated requirement. We will soon begin updating all of the necessary webpages, letters, and publications, but please be patient as it will take some time before all of the updates are made.
Please note that in addition to all of the options listed in the table below, there is one more option for meeting the English proficiency requirement that won’t be publicly stated. That option is as follows:
For international students:
A grade of B or better in a course equivalent to Iowa State University’s English 150 or English 250 from an accredited US two-year or four-year college or university (note: grade must be earned prior to enrollment at Iowa State)
For US and Puerto Rico students:
A grade of C- or better in a course equivalent to Iowa State University’s English 150 or English 250 from an accredited US two-year or four-year college or university (note: grade must be earned prior to enrollment at Iowa State)
English Proficiency Requirement
For the purpose of applying for admission to Iowa State University, English may be considered your primary language only if you have been raised in an environment where English is the ONLY official language of your locality and nation, and English has been the primary language used in your home.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must meet the English proficiency requirement by any one of the options listed below.
Option: TOEFL
Minimum Score or Grade Required: Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) score of 71 with a minimum score of 17 in both the Writing and Speaking sections
Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) score of 530
Option: IELTS
Minimum Score or Grade Required: Overall band score of 6.0 with no sub score below 5.5
Option: PTE
Minimum Score or Grade Required: Score of 48
Option: SAT
Minimum Score or Grade Required: If test was taken prior to March 2016, Critical Reading (CR) score of 420.
If test was taken in March 2016 or later, Evidence-Based Writing and Reading (EWR) score of 460.
Option: ACT
Minimum Score or Grade Required:
English sub score of 19
Scores from any of the exams above must be sent to Iowa State University directly from the testing agency. Scanned copies, photocopies, and web results are not accepted. Below is the Iowa State University reporting code used by each testing agency:
- Testing Agency - Iowa State University Code
- TOEFL - 6306
- SAT - 6306
- ACT - 1320
- IELTS - IELTS does not utilize institutional codes
- PTE - PTE does not utilize institutional codes
Foundation Courses
Environmental Science majors complete foundation courses in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and mathematics.
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.
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 110, 201, 250, 251, 381, 382, and 384) 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.
4-year Plan Examples
2022-2023 catalog requirements