This program is designed for students interested in an interdisciplinary scientific perspective on environmental and sustainability issues, analysis, and management. The degree program provides the broad foundation in physical, life, and social sciences needed for a career or graduate study in environmental science and related fields such as climate change, ecology, and conservation. Students who complete the program successfully will be able to assess environmental issues critically from multiple perspectives; to perform field, laboratory, and computer analyses; and to conduct original research. The program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in local, state, and federal government laboratories and nonprofit agencies, environmental consulting firms, environmental education and outreach agencies, and universities and other research settings. The degree is offered by the Natural Sciences with a major in biological sciences, Liberal Arts with a major in geographical sciences, and Geosciences with a major in geosciences. The degree shares common prescribed work, but each major has its own specific requirements. 

Admission

Students must be admitted to the program. All students are first admitted to the University as entry-level majors in Liberal Arts with a major in geographical sciences, Geosciences with a major in geosciences, or Natural Sciences with a major in biological sciences. After completing a minimum of 24 hours in residence, students may select the major that best suits their long-term interests and, if necessary, transfer to the appropriate college or school in accordance with the regulations and procedures set forth in General Information.

Geographical Sciences

Students may apply for admission after completing the following requirements: Students must earn a grade of at least C- in BIO 311C, CH 301, and M 408C or M 408N; and a grade of at least B- in GEO 401 or GEO 303. To be competitive for admission, the student must have a grade point average of at least 2.75 in these four courses.

Applications are evaluated after the end of each fall and spring semester. Students whose applications are denied may reapply through the supplemental admission process the following semester. Admission decisions are based on the student’s grade point average in the basic sequence courses, his or her University grade point average, and other factors; these factors include, but are not limited to, the difficulty of the student’s course load, course repetitions, and proven mathematical ability. Students should consult advisors in the Liberal Arts Student Advising Office for information about the application process and application deadlines.

Freshman Admission

Freshmen applicants seeking admission must meet the calculus readiness requirement by the official admissions application deadline. More information about the calculus readiness requirement is available through the University Admissions Office or online.

Freshmen applicants must follow the application instructions outlined on the Office of Admissions website. Applicants should apply to the EVS program in the college that best suits their anticipated area of concentration (geological sciences, geographical sciences, or biological sciences, respectively).

External Transfer Admission

Students who wish to transfer to the university from another college or university must apply to the Office of Admissions as described in General Information. External transfer applicants seeking admission must demonstrate calculus readiness by the official admissions application deadline. Details regarding transfer calculus readiness are available through the University Admissions Office or online.

External transfer applicants must follow the application instructions outlined on the Office of Admissions website. Applicants should apply to the program in the college that best suits their anticipated area of concentration (geological sciences, geographical sciences, or biological sciences, respectively).

Internal Transfer Admission

All internal transfer applicants should use the online EVS Program Transfer Application and must meet requirements for internal transfer given in General Information. 

To be competitive for admission, internal transfer applicants should have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in Biology 311C, Chemistry 301, Mathematics 408C or 408N or 408K, and Geological Sciences 401 or 303.

Entry-level admission is offered as space is available to the students who are best qualified. Decisions are based on the student's grade point average in the introductory science and math courses listed above, University grade point average, and other factors including, but not limited to, difficulty of course load, course repetitions, proven mathematical ability, and interest in the field of Environmental Science.

Additional Information for all internal transfer applicants:

• Application Deadline: May 1 for fall entry and December 1 for spring entry.
• Only currently enrolled students in good academic standing with their college of residence may apply.
• Students may apply during the semester they are completing the minimum requirements to be eligible for consideration.

Students should consult with an academic advisor for additional information on the application process and deadlines.

Total Hours Required: 126

Plan of Study

The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.

Requirements

All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.

Additional Requirements and Policy

• A grade point average of at least 2.00 in geography coursework and at least 18 upper-division hours are required for the major.
• Courses taken to attain a certain level of proficiency in a foreign language are not electives and cannot be taken on the pass/fail basis.
• Cultural Expression, Human Experience, and Thought course: The course must be in a field of study taught in the College of Liberal Arts. 
• Geographical sciences majors may not use the same coursework to satisfy both the degree's environment and sustainability requirement and the major's geography hours requirement.. 
• Geographical sciences majors may not use the same coursework to satisfy both the degree's capstone experience and the major's geography hours requirement.
• Mathematics courses at the level of college algebra may not count toward elective hours.

Degree-Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BSEnvirSci)

Additional Requirements and policy

• Students may not use the same coursework to satisfy both the degree's environment and sustainability requirement and the degree's capstone research experience.
• Students may earn only one Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree from the University.

• A course in one prescribed work area may not also be used to fulfill the requirements of another prescribed work area.

The following courses may substitute for Environmental Science 271 and 371 with prior approval of the faculty advisor:

• Biology 377  (Environmental Science 271 only)
• Tutorial Course 660HA and 660HB 
• Geological Sciences 172H, 173H, and 379H 
• Natural Sciences 323 and 371