Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at the School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering prepares future leaders in sustainability, conservation and natural resource management.
Why Environmental Science?
As the emphasis on sustainability and corporate and social responsibility grows, so too does the demand for well-educated and ethical environmental science professionals. With their deep understanding of the natural environment and its processes and connections, environmental scientists can help steward organizations to improve their operations, lead research into emerging science, and help inform government or social policy that directly impacts quality of life for the people, animals and ecosystems.
Environmental Science Curriculum and Major Requirements
The B.S. in Environmental Science is a 120-hour degree program that integrates study in several different science fields ensuring that students have a strong foundation and broad understanding of biology, chemistry, geology, physics and meteorology. Students can expect a rigorous curriculum that spans study of the elements of the natural world and the challenges facing each, including air pollution, water quality and soil conservation. An understanding of statistics and mathematics is also an important part of the well-rounded degree program.
The following requirements serve as a checklist for in-major requirements toward the completion of the B.S. in Environmental Science. Permission for science course substitutions must be made through the Environmental Science Program Chair. Course requirements and degree requirements in the major and core are subject to change.
76 semester hours in science as follows:
20 semester hours in Biology
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIOL 1402 | General Biology for Majors I |
| BIOL 1403 | General Biology for Majors II |
| BIOL 3442 | Ecology and Laboratory |
| BIOL 3471/3471L | General Microbiology and Lab |
| BIOL 44XX | Advanced Biology Elective |
8 semester hours in Chemistry
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CHEM 1301 | Chemical Principles I |
| CHEM 1302 | Chemical Principles II |
| CHEM 1203L | Chemical Principles Lab |
15 semester hours in Environmental Science
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ENSC 1410 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
| ENSC 3410 | Research in Soil Conservation and Lab |
| ENSC 4315 | Environmental Science Research |
| ENSC 4460 | Research in Water Quality |
8 semester hours in Geology
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| GEOL 1401 | Physical Geology |
| GEOL 3450 | Environmental Geology |
4 semester hours in Physics
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| PHYS 1301 | General Physics I |
| PHYS 1101 | General Physics Lab |
6 semester hours in Mathematics
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MATH 1304 | College Algebra |
| MATH 2203 | Introduction to Statistics |
6 semester hours in Meteorology
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| METR 3340 | Hydrology |
| METR 4315 | Air Pollution Meteorology |
9 hours in BIOL/CHEM/GEOL/METR/ENSC Advanced Electives
Elective hours to total degree hours of 120
Updated 4/21/17, applies to those starting in the Fall 2017 semester
Careers in Environmental Science
A student graduating from the Environmental Science program has many career options available. Local, state, or federal agencies that deal with the protection, management, and regulation of natural resources are among the many places Environmental Studies graduates are prepared to work. Such agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and other state and federal employers. Students may also find employment with private firms and companies involved with environmental consulting that includes assessment, remediation and environmental law.
In general, graduates employed in the public or private sector pursue diverse projects such as surface and ground water pollution, soil contamination from hazardous wastes, disposal of hazardous and nuclear wastes, urban development and expansion, remediation and cleanup at Superfund sites, identification of potential geological hazards, and conservation of biodiversity.