Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences
Department Chair: Wendy L. Kimber, Ph.D.
Description
The environmental science program is designed to prepare students to address the integral relationship between humankind and the environment. There is a growing recognition of the impact of humans on organisms, landforms, the atmosphere, and ecosystems. This program will engage students in a study of the principles, methodologies, and practices of the life, physical, and mathematical sciences as they relate to the environment. The foundational concepts of human systems, such as businesses, governments, and communities, and their impact on the environment will also be studied. An emphasis on experiential and lifelong learning will also prepare graduates to meet the needs of today’s society.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, graduates will be able to:
- Solve environmental problems by integrating knowledge from the natural and social sciences.
- Evaluate the effects of humans on the biosphere.
- Apply field and laboratory research skills and techniques to the investigation of scientific questions.
- Evaluate environmental issues and advances using appropriate sources.
- Communicate scientific findings in written and oral formats appropriate to the audience.
- Conduct himself or herself in a manner consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
- Practice environmental stewardship.
- Apply academic preparation to professional experiences outside the classroom.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. The lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all courses listed in the catalog under "Program Requirements" for the major, including both courses in the major and SEE courses required by the major. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course* unless they earn a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
A student must maintain a science and math GPA of 2.0 or better in each semester in order to remain in good standing within the major. Grades are reviewed each semester and students are notified in writing of their academic status in the major, as appropriate:
- Probation: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 in one semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that they are on probation in the Fine School of the Sciences. Students who are on probation will be required to meet regularly with their Success Coach/Academic Advisor for at least one full semester after being put on probation.
- Dismissal: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 for a second semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that they are dismissed from the applied mathematics, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, or environmental science major.
* Science and mathematics courses are defined as courses with the designation: BIO, BIOCH, BME, CHEM, ENV, FSCI, MATH, PHYS, or SCI.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 112 | Principles of General Biology | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIO 114 | General Biology II: Structure and Function of Organisms | 3 credits |
| BIO 114L | General Biology II Laboratory: Structure and Function of Organisms | 1 credit |
| BIO 115 | General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution | 3 credits |
| BIO 218 | Career Connections in the Life Sciences | 1 credit |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 203 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 203L | Environmental Chemistry Laboratory | 1 credit |
| ENV 255 | Techniques in Environmental Science | 3 credits |
| ENV 275 | Environmental Science | 3 credits |
| ENV 285 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 credits |
| ENV 375 | Environmental Ethics | 3 credits |
| ENV 470 | Capstone Internship | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| ENV 471 | Capstone Internship | 6 credits |
| ENV 475 | Capstone Seminar | 3 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Select two of the following courses:
| EC 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits |
| EC 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 credits |
| EC 240 | Environmental Economics | 3 credits |
| LAW 375 | Environmental Law | 3 credits |
| POSCI 102 | American Government: Political Institutions and Procedures | 3 credits |
Environmental Science Electives:
Take six courses from the following courses listed below
- At least three courses must be at the 300- or 400-level
- At least three courses must be lab courses
- A maximum of two courses with the BIO or CHEM course prefix designator
- A maximum of one research course
ENV 213, ENV 260, ENV 280, ENV 310, ENV 320, ENV 330, ENV 360, ENV 362, ENV 365, ENV 410, ENV 415, ENV 420, BIO 203 and BIO 203L, BIO 210, BIO 217, BIO 222, BIO 230, BIO 270, BIO 280, BIO 307, BIO 310, BIO 312, BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 315, BIO 322, BIO 326, BIO 330, BIO 332, BIO 335, BIO 362, CHEM 206, CHEM 210/CHEM 210L, CHEM 211/CHEM 211L, CHEM 221, CHEM 310, CHEM 346L, CHEM 435
Students can take BIO 322 or BIO 326 but not both.
Suggested Course Sequence
2023-24 SCS Environmental Science
Minor in Environmental Science
Environmental science studies the connections between humans and the environment. Therefore, a minor in environmental science is an excellent addition to many liberal arts majors and is particularly relevant to students interested in the environmental aspects of business, economics, policy, law, health, or for those simply interested in understanding our responsibility as caretakers of planet Earth.
The minor in environmental science requires successful completion of a minimum of six courses and 18 credits with an ENV prefix. Courses ineligible for the environmental science minor include:
- ENV 150 Society and the Environment
- ENV 165 Science of the Chesapeake Bay
Please see the Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences for further information regarding this minor. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.
Other Options
Biology Department Honors Requirements: Eligible students majoring in environmental science may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Biological Sciences. The intention to pursue biology department honors must be declared no later than the end of the first semester of the junior year. To declare the intent to pursue departmental honors, a student must have earned a science/math GPA of 3.50 or higher.
Students graduating with biology department honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with departmental honors, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of a 400-level capstone experience with a grade of “B” or better
- Completion of BIO 440 Seminar Topics in Biology with a grade of “B” or better
- Completion of an Honors Contract Project in an upper-level biology or environmental science course. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in the course in which an Honors Contract Project is completed. The student must submit a contract project proposal to be approved by department faculty before beginning the project. The final project must be approved by department faculty in order to receive honors credit.
- A science/math GPA of 3.50 or higher at the time of graduation
BS/MAT Option: The BS/MAT option is available for students majoring in environmental science who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in teaching. Please see Additional Enrollment Options in the Admissions section of this catalog for more information.
Service-Learning Options: Service learning options are offered periodically with some environmental science courses. Please consult the course instructor or the department chair if you have any questions.
Course Descriptions
See Environmental Science Course Descriptions