The BS in Environmental Science program has two tracks: Biosecurity and Physical Science. All students take a set of program core courses including ecology, geographic information systems, and biostatistics, regardless of their chosen track. Students then take the core courses designated for their chosen track. The remainder of the credits are drawn from the list of elective courses. All students also complete either an internship or an independent study as part of their graduation requirements.
The program is designed to have a significant hands-on component. Both tracks provide students with classroom, field, and laboratory experience, making them competitive for employment in the science fields or for entry into graduate/professional school.
See our
brochure for core courses and a selection of electives.
The Biosecurity track focuses on entomology, genetics, plants and other "animal" and "vegetable" aspects of environmental science.
The Physical Science track focuses on geology, hydrogeology, oceanography, and other "mineral" aspects of environmental science.
Students who want to do a dual-concentration are able to do so, usually by taking the second track's core courses as their electives, and taking one additional course.
The GIS option is an additional add-on Advanced Technical Certificate for students who are interested in pursuing additional geographic information systems course work. The certificate is issued in conjunction with the degree to students who have finished a
four course sequence in GIS. The courses focus on skills related to being able to produce and extract data from maps, aerial images, and other sources. GIS skills are often requested or required for scientific research. For example, scientists may use GIS skills and tools to indicate expansion or loss of flora or fauna in a given area.
Students in both tracks are encouraged to pursue the GIS certificate. The additional courses count as elective credits. Dual-concentration students may also pursue the certificate although it may add extra time to degree completion.
