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Overview

This interdisciplinary program, leading to a B.S. in environmental science, is offered through the department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences. The major brings the basic sciences to bear on many crucial concerns about the environment. The environmental matters of particular interest revolve around our land and water resources. Specific concerns include environmental protection, land-use planning, waste management, ground- and surface-water quality, reclamation and remediation of disturbed or contaminated sites, and minimizing agricultural and other human impacts on the environment.

The environmental science curriculum is multidisciplinary and strongly science and technology oriented. The basic sciences and computational skills are at the core of each of the major's four options, but specific requirements make each option unique. The curriculum prepares one for immediate entry into environmental careers, as well as for graduate specializations. The environmental job market is quite strong, with a shortage of well-qualified individuals in the field.

The four concentrations or curricular options within the major and some of the career opportunities associated with each are as follows:

• Aquatic Resources
• Land Resources Option
• Plant Resources Option
• Waste Management Option

Requirements for a Major

Students must complete all of the core requirements listed below plus the additional requirements for at least one of the four options.

Math, Technology, and Natural Sciences Core
BIOL 1105,1106,1115,1116: Principles of Biology, Lab	8
CEE 3104: Intro to Environmental Engineering	3
CHEM 1035, 1036, 1045, 1046: General Chemistry, Lab	8
CHEM 3114, 3124: Analytical Chem. for Life Sciences, Lab	4
CHEM 2535, 2545: Organic Chemistry, Lab	4
CSES 1004: Introduction to Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences	1
CSES 3114, 3124: Soils, Lab	4
ENSC 3604: Fundamentals of Environmental Science	3
ENSC 3634: Physics of Pollution	3
ENSC 4004: Senior Seminar	1
GEOS 4804: Groundwater Hydrology	3
MATH 1016,2015,2016: Elementary Calculus with Trig. I/II	9
PHYS 2205: General Physics	3
STAT 3615: Biological Statistics	3
Humanities, Writing, and Social Sciences Core
AAEC 1005,1006: Economics of Food & Fiber Sys.	6
ENGL 1105,1106: Freshman English	6
ENGL 3764: Technical Writing	3
Core Area 6 elective	1/3
Core Area 2 electives	6
Additional Requirements for the Aquatic Resources Option
BIOL 2604, 2614: General Microbiology, Lab	4
BIOL 2804: Ecology	3
BIOL 4004: Freshwater Ecology	4
BIOL/CEE/CSES/ENSC 4164; Environmental Microbiology	3
CSES 4594: Soil/Groundwater Pollution	3
Technical Electives (40+ courses from which to choose)	18
Additional Requirements for the Land Resources Option
CSES 4124: Soil Survey and Taxonomy	3
CSES/CEE 4594: Soil and Groundwater Pollution	3
CSES 4734: Environmental Soil Chemistry	3
CSES/ENSC/GEOG 4844: Soil Interpretation Using GIS and DSS	3
GEOG 4084: Introduction to GIS	3
GEOS 1004, 1104: Physical Geology, Lab	4
UAP 4374: Land Use & Environment: Planning & Policy	3
Technical Electives (40+ courses from which to choose)	13
Additional Requirements for the Plant Resources Option
BIOL 2304: Plant Biology	3
BIOL 2604, 2614: General Microbiology, Lab	4
BIOL 2804, 3114: Ecology, Lab	4
BIOL 3204: Plant Taxonomy	3
ENSC 3644: Plant Materials for Environmental Restoration	3
PPWS 3505,3506,3514: Plant Physiology & Environment	7
Technical Electives (40+ courses from which to choose)	11
Additional Requirements for the Waste Management Option
BIOL 2604,2614: General Microbiology, Lab	4
BIOL/CEE/CSES/ENSC 4164: Environmental Microbiology	3
CEE 4174: Solid & Hazardous Waste Management	3
CEE/CSES 4594: Soil/Groundwater Pollution	3
CSES/ENSC 4734: Environmental Soil Chemistry	3
GEOS 1004, 1104: Physical Geology, Lab	3
Technical Electives (40+ courses from which to choose)	15
Total credits (all options)	120

Requirements for a Minor

The environmental science program also offers a minor. The requirements include CSES 3114 plus 3124 (or CSES 3134) and ENSC 3604 and 12 to 13 more hours elected from a set of almost 20 courses. See the Coordinating Counselor and the "checksheet" of course options below for more information about a minor in environmental science.

Checksheet for ENSC Minor (pdf)

Satisfactory Progress

By the end of the academic year in which a student has attempted 60 hours, "satisfactory progress" will include:

declaring an option within ENSC

passing the following:

BIOL 1105, 1106, 1115, 1116
12 hours of CHEM
ENSC 3604
CSES 3114 and 3124
9 hours of MATH and/or STAT

Opportunities to Excel

Students with outstanding records can qualify for the Honors Program and graduate "in honors" in environmental science. Other opportunities for personal and professional growth and for recognition include the department-sponsored Environmental Student Organization, membership in Alpha Zeta and other honoraries, and several scholarships designated for majors. Faculty members work with undergraduates on a variety of environmental research projects. Many employers seek environmental science majors for internship and co-op positions.