Program Details | Environmental Science BA/BS/Minor

Environmental Science BA/BS

The Environmental Science degree is focused on natural science and is offered with two track options, a focus on the scientific and field study of the environment (Science track) or a focus on environmental management and policy (Management track).

In addition to satisfying general University requirements (45 credits), the Environmental Science and Management degree requires a minimum of 74 core credits plus 30-31 credits in either the Science or Management track.

All courses used to satisfy the Environmental Science major requirements, whether taken in the department or in other departments, must be graded C- or above. Department requirements are listed below.

Students must complete the core requirements and either the Science Track or the Management Track.

Core Requirements

Students must complete the ESM, Biology, Chemistry, and GIS requirements.

ESM Core

• ESM 150 Orientation to Environmental Sciences and Management (1 credit)
• ESM 220 Introduction to Environmental Systems (4 credits)
• ESM 221 Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving (4 credits)
• ESM 222 Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Consideration (4 credits)
• ESM 335 Introduction to Environmental Management (4 credits)
• ESM 340 Research Methods in Environmental Science (4 credits)
• ESM 407 Environmental Seminar (1 credit)
• Wr 327 Technical Report Writing (4 credits)
• 12 credits in 400-level topical area
• 16 credits of 400-level ESM courses (excluding ESM 407)

Up to 4 credits of approved research (ESM 401) or internship (ESM 404) can replace 4 credits of ESM 410+ courses.

Biology Core (Option 1)

8 credits selected from the following:

• Sci 341U Biology Concepts and Applications I (4 credits)
• Sci 342U Biology Concepts and Applications II (4 credits)
• ESM 343 Environmental Problem Solving: Restoring Ecosystem Damage from Human Impacts (4 credits)

Biology Core (Option 2)

15 credits of the following:

• Bi 211 Principles of Biology: Biology of Cells (4 credits) and Bi 214 Principles of Biology Lab I (1 credit)
• Bi 212 Principles of Biology: The biology of organisms (4 credits) and Bi 215 Principles of Biology Lab II (1 credit)
• Bi 213 Principles of Biology: Evolution and ecology of living organisms (4 credits) and Bi 216 Principles of Biology Lab III (1 credit)

Chemistry Core (Option 1)

• ESM 230 Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry I (4 credits)
• ESM 231 Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry II (4 credits)

Chemistry Core (Option 2)

• Ch 221 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and Ch 227 General Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
• Ch 222 General Chemistry II (4 credits) and Ch 228 General Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)

GIS Core (Option 1)

4 credits selected from the following:

• G 424 Geographical Information Systems for the Natural Sciences (4 credits)
• G 425 Field GIS (4 credits)

GIS Core (Option 2)

8 credits of the following:

• Geog 380U Maps and Geographic Information (4 credits)
• Geog 488 Geographic Information Systems I: Introduction (4 credits)

Total Credit Hours: 74-87

Environmental Science Minor

To obtain a minor in environmental science, a student must complete at least 34 credits as listed below (at least 12 of which must be taken in residence at PSU). At least 4 credits each in biological sciences, physical sciences (physics, chemistry, geology), economics, and Mth 241 or Mth 251 are expected before admission to the minor.

Courses

• ESM 222 Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Consideration (4 credits)
• ESM 320 Environmental Systems I (4 credits) and ESM 323 Environmental Systems Laboratory I (2 credits)
• ESM 321 Environmental Systems II (4 credits) and ESM 324 Environmental Systems Laboratory II (2 credits)
• ESM 322 Environmental Risk Assessment (4 credits) and ESM 325 Environmental Risk Assessment Lab (2 credits)
• Upper-division environmental policy management courses (4 credits)
• Upper-division environmental sciences courses (8 credits)

34 total credit hours

Environmental policy/management courses (minimum 4 credits) include selected upper-division courses in environmental science and management, economics, and geography. Environmental science courses (minimum 8 credits) include selected upper-division courses in environmental science. A list of approved courses is available.

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling minor requirements. Courses with omnibus numbers 401, 404, 405, 406, and 407 are not allowed for the minor. Additional courses may be required as prerequisites. Only grades of C- or above count toward satisfying the minor requirements.