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. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take any science or math course unless they earn a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
If a student withdraws, audits, or does not pass a course required in the environmental science major with a grade of “C” or better, they may repeat that course without special permission. If a student withdraws, audits, or does not pass the course with a grade of “C” or better the second time, the student will be placed on probation in the major. To take a course for a third time, all SOS majors must meet with their advisor, and then apply in writing to the Dean of the School of the Sciences requesting permission to take the course for a third time using the university form for this request. Those who pass the course will no longer be on probation in the major. Those who do not successfully complete the required course with a grade of “C” or better after three attempts will be permanently dismissed from the environmental science major. Once dismissed from the environmental science major, students must choose a major for which the course they failed three times is not required.
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 and BIO 230L, BIO 270, BIO 280, BIO 307, BIO 310, BIO 312, BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 315, BIO 322 and BIO 322L, 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
2024-25 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
Department of Biological Sciences Honors Requirements: Eligible students majoring in environmental science may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Biological Sciences. The intention to pursue department honors must be declared before the start of their last semester before graduation. To declare the intent to pursue department honors, a student must have earned a science/math GPA of 3.50 or higher and a plan to finish the honors requirements outlined below.
Students graduating with Department of Biological Sciences honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with department honors, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of one research experience.
- Completion of a second research experience or a 300-400 level BIO or ENV elective that is not being used to fulfill a degree requirement in the major.
- An oral presentation of the research experience to the department.
- A science/math GPA of 3.5 or higher at 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.
Course Descriptions
See Environmental Science Course Descriptions