Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences
The Bachelor of Science with a major in environmental sciences requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including a minimum of 76-81 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core; some courses required for the major in environmental sciences may be used to satisfy GE CLAS Core requirements.
Bachelor of Science students majoring in environmental sciences must complete requirements in three areas: the science and mathematics foundation, the environmental sciences foundation, and one of four environmental sciences tracks. During their third year of study, students are assigned a faculty advisor who specializes in their track.
The science and mathematics foundation develops fundamental skills and comprehension in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and statistics. The environmental sciences foundation includes an introductory course in environmental science and additional courses that focus on remote sensing techniques, design and use of geographic information technologies, the geomorphic and environmental processes that shape the earth's surface, and ecological factors that influence the distribution and abundance of organisms.
Each of the program's four tracks focuses on areas of specialization within environmental sciences:
- Biosciences (Green) Track: biological systems and ecological approaches;
- Chemical Sciences (Yellow) Track: environmental systems and chemistry;
- Geosciences (Brown) Track: earth materials and surficial geologic processes; and
- Hydrosciences (Blue) Track: hydrogeology and hydrogeologic systems, and water chemistry.
The tracks aim to prepare scientists who can tackle problems that require particular areas of expertise, and to help students develop the skills needed for future employment or graduate study.
Listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences, visit the UI General Catalog.
| Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| Science and Mathematics Foundation Courses | 27 |
| Environmental Sciences Foundation Courses | 16 |
| Environmental Sciences Track Courses | 33-38 |
| Total Hours | 76-81 |
For help planning your courses, please contact the Environmental Science Program's undergraduate academic advisor.
Science and Mathematics Foundation (27 s.h.)
Students must complete at least 27 s.h. of course work in this area, including ALL of the following:
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
| BIOL:1412 | Diversity of Form and Function (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
| EES:1050 | Introduction to Geology (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
| MATH:1850 | Calculus I (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
and ONE of these courses:
| CHEM:2021 | Fundamentals of Chemical Measurements1 (Fall and Spring) | 3 s.h. |
| STAT:3510 | Biostatistics (Fall and Spring) | 3 s.h. |
1 - Required for Chemical Sciences Track; Statistics option for other tracks.
Environmental Sciences Foundation (16 s.h.)
Students must complete at least 16 s.h. of course work in this area, including ALL of the following:
| ENVS:1085 | Fundamentals of Environmental Science2 (Fall only) | 4 s.h. |
| ENVS:2673 | Ecology (Spring only) | 3 s.h. |
| ENVS:2010 | Interdisciplinary Environmental Seminar: Discovering Research, Exploring Careers, Building Connections3 (Fall Only) |
1 s.h. |
| ENVS:3010 | Interdisciplinary Environmental Seminar: Presenting Research, Preparing for Careers, Strengthening Connections4 (Spring only) |
1 s.h. |
| ENVS:3020 | Earth Surface Processes (Fall only) | 3 s.h. |
| GEOG:2050 | Foundations of GIS (Fall and Spring) | 4 s.h. |
2 - In special circumstances, ENVS:1080 may be used as a substitute. Students should contact their academic advisor if they think they have a need to make this substitution.
3 - take sometime during FIRST 2 years of degree.
4 - take sometime during LAST 2 years of degree.
Teacher Licensure
Students interested in teaching in elementary and/or secondary schools should seek admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) in the College of Education.
To qualify for licensure in secondary teaching, students in the TEP complete a degree in education as well as a related College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. See Teacher Education Program Application and Admission on the College of Education website for details on requirements and deadlines for applying to the College of Education and about TEP choices of majors leading to licensure.