Environmental Science (BS)
Solving the world's most pressing environmental problems requires understanding the scientific aspects of sustainability. Our program in environmental science prepares students to develop innovative solutions to challenges such as climate change, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss.
This program has optional concentrations in Conservation and Restoration Ecology; Environmental Health; Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture; or Climate & Energy.
Related Programs
Curriculum
Environmental Science students complete coursework that includes both a heavy dose of basic science requirements and courses spanning a variety of disciplines pertinent to understanding the context in which environmental challenges reside.
Students may take the program without a concentration [66 credit hours] or choose a concentration in Conservation and Restoration Ecology [67 credit hours]; Environmental Health [69 credit hours]; Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture [66 credit hours]; or Climate & Energy [70 credit hours].
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
| ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
| ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Natural Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 276 | Chemistry of Environmental Pollution | 3 |
| ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Students take one of the following sequences based on concentration: | 4 | |
| General Biology II and General Biology II Lab 1 | ||
| College Physics I Lec / Dis and College Physics Laboratory I 2 | ||
| Justice and Ethics Choice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
| Economics Choice | ||
| ENVS 335 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
| or ECON 328 | Environmental Economics | |
| Engaged Learning Choice 3,4 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
| Bird Conservation and Ecology | ||
| Energy and the Environment | ||
| Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Natural History of Belize | ||
| Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems 5 | ||
| Field Ornithology | ||
| Environmental Research (with SES approval) 5 | ||
| Environmental Internship (with SES approval) 5 | ||
| Capstone Choice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Integrative Seminar | ||
| Independent Environmental Research (Capstone) | ||
| Environmental Internship (Capstone) | ||
| Concentration Courses and Electives | 21-28 | |
| Total Hours | 66-70 | |
- 1
Students with the Conservation and Restoration Ecology, Environmental Health, Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture, and without concentration must take BIOL 102 and BIOL 112.
- 2
Students in the Climate and Energy Concentration must take PHYS 111 and PHYS 111L. Students in this concentration also take an additional PHYS course outlined in the Concentration requirements.
- 3
Students in the Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration and the Climate and Energy Concentration have limited options to satisfy the Engaged Learning requirement.
- 4
Students in the Climate and Energy Concentration must take ENVS 273 for the Engaged Learning Requirement within the major. This requirement is outlined in the Concentration requirements.
- 5
Students in the Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration may take this course to satisfy the Engaged Learning Requirement for the major.
Concentration Requirements and Elective Course Options
Environmental Science (Without Concentration)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| One (1) course in Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives | 3 | |
| One (1) course in Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives | 3 | |
| Five (5) courses in Environmental Science Electives, at least three (3) of which must be at 300-level | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Environmental Science: Conservation and Restoration Ecology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENVS 218 | Biodiversity & Biogeography | 3 |
| ENVS 320 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| ENVS 321 | Conservation Biology Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 330 | Restoration Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 331 | Restoration Ecology Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 383 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| One (1) course in Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives | 3 | |
| One (1) course in Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives | 3 | |
| One (1) course in Environmental Science Electives | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 23 | |
Environmental Science: Environmental Health Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENVS 300 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| ENVS 301 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| ENVS 303 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| One (1) course in Environmental Health and Society Electives | 3 | |
| Four (4) courses in Environmental Science Electives | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Environmental Science: Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENVS 207 | Plants and Civilization | 3 |
| ENVS 223 | Soil Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 325 | Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Required Choice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Feeding the Planet: Global Perspectives on Sustainability, Culture and Food | ||
| Agroecosystems | ||
| Food Systems Analysis | ||
| Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | ||
| Electives | ||
| One (1) course in Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives | 3 | |
| One (1) course in Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives | 3 | |
| One (1) course in Environmental Science Electives | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Environmental Science: Climate and Energy Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Physics Core Course | ||
| PHYS 112 | College Physics II Lec/Disc | 3 |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| Required Climate and Energy Courses | ||
| ENVS 224 | Climate & Climate Change | 3 |
| ENVS 273 | Energy and the Environment 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 313 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 316 | Energy and Power Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 324 | Climate Science | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| One (1) course in Business, Economics, & Management Electives | 3 | |
| One (1) course in Communication Electives | 3 | |
| One (1) course in Methods & Analysis Electives | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 28 | |
- 1
This course satisfies the Engaged Learning requirement.
Electives
Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 101 | Public Speaking & Critical Thinking | 3 |
| COMM 277 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 306 | Environmental Advocacy | 3 |
| COMM 322 | Guerilla Media | 3 |
| COMM 379 | Digital Sustainability 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 288 | Nature in Literature | 3 |
| ENVS 204 | Gender, Health & Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 230 | Feeding the Planet: Global Perspectives on Sustainability, Culture and Food | 3 |
| ENVS 260 / COMM 260 | Environmental Journalism | 3 |
| ENVS 279 / HIST 279E | Climate and History | 3 |
| ENVS 284 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| ENVS 285 | Eco-spirituality | 3 |
| ENVS 297 / HIST 297E | North American Environmental History | 3 |
| ENVS 298 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 338 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
| ENVS 350A | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | 3 |
| ENVS 350C | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | 3 |
| ENVS 350F | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 383 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| ENVS 391 | Environmental Research (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| ENVS 395 | Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 398 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 399 | Directed Readings (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| PHIL 287 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PSYC 277 | Environmental Psychology | 3 |
| SOCL 226 | Science, Technology, & Society | 3 |
| SOCL 252 | Global Inequalities | 3 |
| SOCL 272 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOCL 276 | The Sociology and Politics of Food | 3 |
| SOCL 278 | Global Health | 3 |
| THEO 204 | Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | 3 |
| THEO 344 | Theology and Ecology | 3 |
- 1
For students with the Conservation and Restoration Ecology Concentration or without a Concentration.
Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 379 | Digital Sustainability 1 | 3 |
| ECON 328 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 230 | Feeding the Planet: Global Perspectives on Sustainability, Culture and Food | 3 |
| ENVS 298 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 300 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| ENVS 310 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 311 | Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 312 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 313 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 316 | Energy and Power Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 327 | Food Systems Analysis | 3 |
| ENVS 333 | Introduction to the Circular Economy | 3 |
| ENVS 335 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 336 | Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | 3 |
| ENVS 338 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
| ENVS 351 | Introduction to Sustainability Concepts & Impacts 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 363 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
| ENVS 383 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| ENVS 384 | Conservation Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 389 | Ecological Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENVS 391 | Environmental Research (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| ENVS 395 | Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 398 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 399 | Directed Readings (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| GLST 305 | Globalization and Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| MGMT 201 | Managing People and Organizations | 3 |
| PLSC 354 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 |
- 1
For students in the Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration only.
Environmental Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science Electives | ||
| ANTH 104 | The Human Ecological Footprint | 3 |
| ANTH 303 | People and Conservation | 3 |
| ENVS 204 | Gender, Health & Environment 3 | 3 |
| ENVS 207 | Plants and Civilization 4 | 3 |
| ENVS 215 / BIOL 215 | Ornithology 1 | 3 |
| ENVS 218 | Biodiversity & Biogeography 3 | 3 |
| ENVS 223 | Soil Ecology 3 | 3 |
| ENVS 224 | Climate & Climate Change | 3 |
| ENVS 226 | Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | 3 |
| ENVS 267 | Bird Conservation and Ecology 5 | 3 |
| ENVS 273 | Energy and the Environment 5 | 3 |
| ENVS 278 | Hydrology 6 | 3 |
| ENVS 283 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| ENVS 298 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 300 | Introduction to Public Health 7 | 3 |
| ENVS 301 | Environmental Health 7 | 3 |
| ENVS 303 | Introduction to Epidemiology 7 | 3 |
| ENVS 320 | Conservation Biology 7 | 3 |
| ENVS 322 | Invasive Species | 3 |
| ENVS 323 | Environmental Microbiology 3 | 3 |
| ENVS 324 | Climate Science | 3 |
| ENVS 325 | Sustainable Agriculture 4 | 3 |
| ENVS 326 | Agroecosystems | 3 |
| ENVS 327 | Food Systems Analysis | 3 |
| ENVS 330 | Restoration Ecology 3 | 3 |
| ENVS 338 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
| ENVS 340 | Natural History of Belize 5 | 3 |
| ENVS 345 | Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems 5 | 3 |
| ENVS 350A | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | 3 |
| ENVS 350C | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | 3 |
| ENVS 350F | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 367 | Mammalogy 5 | 3 |
| ENVS 369 | Field Ornithology 5 | 3 |
| ENVS 380 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 381 | Advanced GIS Applications | 3 |
| ENVS 382 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| ENVS 383 | Human Dimensions of Conservation 7 | 3 |
| ENVS 384 | Conservation Economics 2 | 3 |
| ENVS 385 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| ENVS 386 | Python Programming for GIS | 3 |
| ENVS 387 | Principles of Ecotoxicology | 3 |
| ENVS 389 | Ecological Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENVS 391 | Environmental Research (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| ENVS 395 | Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 398 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 399 | Directed Readings (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| BIOL, CHEM, PHYS 300-level courses (with SES approval) | ||
- 1
For students with the Food and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration, the Environmental Health Concentration, or without a Concentration.
- 2
For students in the Environmental Health Concentration only.
- 3
For students with the Conservation and Restoration Ecology Concentration or without a Concentration.
- 4
For students in the Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration only.
- 5
For students with the Conservation and Restoration Ecology Concentration, the the Environmental Health Concentration, or without a Concentration.
- 6
For students with the Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration or without a Concentration.
- 7
For students without a Concentration only.
Environmental Health and Society Elective (Environmental Health only)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 101 | Public Speaking & Critical Thinking | 3 |
| COMM 260 | Environmental Journalism | 3 |
| COMM 277 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 306 | Environmental Advocacy | 3 |
| COMM 379 | Digital Sustainability | 3 |
| ECON 328 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENGL 288 | Nature in Literature | 3 |
| ENVS 204 | Gender, Health & Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 230 | Feeding the Planet: Global Perspectives on Sustainability, Culture and Food | 3 |
| ENVS 279 | Climate and History | 3 |
| ENVS 284 | Environmental Justice | 3 |
| ENVS 285 | Eco-spirituality | 3 |
| ENVS 297 | North American Environmental History | 3 |
| ENVS 298 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 1-12 |
| ENVS 310 | Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 311 | Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 312 | Water Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 313 | Energy Law & Policy | 3 |
| ENVS 335 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENVS 338 | Climate Change and Human Health | 3 |
| ENVS 340 | Natural History of Belize | 3 |
| ENVS 350A | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | 3 |
| ENVS 350C | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | 3 |
| ENVS 350F | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 363 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
| ENVS 383 | Human Dimensions of Conservation | 3 |
| ENVS 389 | Ecological Risk Assessment | 3 |
| ENVS 391 | Environmental Research (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| ENVS 395 | Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 398 | Special Topics (with SES approval) | 3 |
| ENVS 399 | Directed Readings (with SES approval) | 1-3 |
| MGMT 201 | Managing People and Organizations | 3 |
| PHIL 287 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PLSC 354 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 |
| PSYC 277 | Environmental Psychology | 3 |
| SOCL 226 | Science, Technology, & Society | 3 |
| SOCL 252 | Global Inequalities | 3 |
| SOCL 272 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOCL 276 | The Sociology and Politics of Food | 3 |
| SOCL 278 | Global Health | 3 |
| THEO 204 | Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | 3 |
| THEO 344 | Theology and Ecology | 3 |
Business, Economics, & Management (Climate and Energy only)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENTR 201 | Essentials of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENVS 336 | Design for Circular & Sustainable Business | 3 |
| ENVS 363 | Sustainable Business Management | 3 |
| MGMT 201 | Managing People and Organizations | 3 |
| SCMG 232 | Introduction to Supply Chain Management | 3 |
Communication (Climate and Energy only)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 101 | Public Speaking & Critical Thinking | 3 |
| COMM 103 | Business & Professional Speaking | 3 |
| COMM 236 | Persuasive Presentations | 3 |
| COMM 237 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMM 260 | Environmental Journalism | 3 |
| COMM 268 | Persuasion | 3 |
| COMM 277 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 306 | Environmental Advocacy | 3 |
| ENVS 350C | Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | 3 |
Methods & Analysis (Climate and Energy only)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DSCI 101 | Fundamentals of Modern Data Science with R | 3 |
| ENVS 380 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ENVS 382 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| ENVS 386 | Python Programming for GIS | 3 |
| SOCL 206 | Principles of Social Research | 3 |
| SOCL 302 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| STAT 303 | SAS Programming & Applied Statistics | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Environmental Science (Without Concentration)
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
| ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
| Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| Justice & Ethics Choice | 3 | |
| Society, Ethics, & Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Natural Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
| Environmental Science 300 Level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 335 or ECON 328 |
Ecological Economics or Environmental Economics |
3 |
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Engaged Learning Choice | 3 | |
| Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Environmental Science 300 Level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Capstone Choice | 3 | |
| Policy, Economics, & Resource Management Elective | 3 | |
| Environmental Science 300 Level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
Environmental Science: Conservation and Restoration Ecology Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
| ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Natural Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 218 |
Biodiversity & Biogeography or Conservation Biology or Conservation Biology Lab or Restoration Ecology or Restoration Ecology Lab or Human Dimensions of Conservation |
3 |
| Justice & Ethics Choice | 3 | |
| Society, Ethics, & Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Engaged Learning Choice | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 335 or ECON 328 |
Ecological Economics or Environmental Economics |
3 |
| ENVS 218 |
Biodiversity & Biogeography or Conservation Biology or Conservation Biology Lab or Restoration Ecology or Restoration Ecology Lab or Human Dimensions of Conservation |
3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 218 |
Biodiversity & Biogeography or Conservation Biology or Conservation Biology Lab or Restoration Ecology or Restoration Ecology Lab or Human Dimensions of Conservation |
3 |
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| Capstone Choice | 3 | |
| Policy, Economics, & Resource Management Elective | 3 | |
| Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 69 | |
Environmental Science: Environmental Health Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
| ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Natural Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
| Justice & Ethics Choice | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 300 |
Introduction to Public Health or Environmental Health or Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
| Engaged Learning Choice | 3 | |
| Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 300 |
Introduction to Public Health or Environmental Health or Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 300 |
Introduction to Public Health or Environmental Health or Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
| ENVS 335 or ECON 328 |
Ecological Economics or Environmental Economics |
3 |
| Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Capstone Choice | 3 | |
| Environmental Health & Society Elective | 3 | |
| Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 70 | |
Environmental Science: Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
| ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Natural Environment | 3 |
| ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
| ENVS 207 |
Plants and Civilization or Soil Ecology or Sustainable Agriculture |
3 |
| Justice & Ethics Choice | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENVS 207 |
Plants and Civilization or Soil Ecology or Sustainable Agriculture |
3 |
| ENVS 207 |
Plants and Civilization or Soil Ecology or Sustainable Agriculture |
3 |
| Society, Ethics, & Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Engaged Learning Choice | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| ENVS 335 or ECON 328 |
Ecological Economics or Environmental Economics |
3 |
| Policy, Econonmics, & Resource Management Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Capstone Choice | 3 | |
| ENVS 325 | Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
School of Environmental Sustainability Graduation Requirements
All SES students are required to complete a foreign language requirement and a writing intensive requirement. The SES language requirement can be fulfilled by 1) earning college credit at the 102-level or above; or 2) demonstrating proficiency via the SES foreign language proficiency examination. The SES writing intensive requirement is fulfilled by successfully completing two Loyola WI courses (max of one per semester). Writing intensive courses have a “W” in the section number.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
- Examine the causes and consequences of environmental change at local to global scales. [no concentration]
- Apply scientific knowledge to evaluate policy, management, and other solutions that aim to enhance environmental sustainability. [no concentration]
- Create an action plan for leading a professional and personal life that promotes environmental sustainability. [no concentration]
- Articulate the foundational principles of natural and social sciences and humanities essential to solving environmental problems. [both no concentration and all concentrations]
- Critically evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information relating to environmental topics. [both no concentration and all concentrations]
- Employ knowledge and skills to design and implement solutions that contribute to a just and sustainable world. [both no concentration and all concentrations]
- Exemplify the values of environmental and social justice through actions to care for our common home and one another. [both no concentration and all concentrations]
- Explain fundamental connections among ecological processes that are the basis of unity and diversity of life. [Conservation and Restoration Ecology concentration]
- Analyze ecological and societal data to apply best management practices in conservation and restoration ecology. [Conservation and Restoration Ecology concentration]
- Synthesize the social, historical, economic, political, and biological causes, consequences, and solutions to our current biodiversity crisis. [Conservation and Restoration Ecology concentration]
- Develop and express a personal philosophy that values protecting and restoring our global bicultural diversity and vital ecosystems. [Conservation and Restoration Ecology concentration]
- Examine the sources of environmental degradation and their impacts on health. [Environmental Health concentration]
- Apply the tools of public health to characterize the impacts on community health using a planetary health perspective. [Environmental Health concentration]
- Integrate environmental regulatory policies to evaluate the health impacts at local and global scales. [Environmental Health concentration]
- Incorporate critical public health and environmental health justice perspectives into environmental and human dimensions. [Environmental Health concentration]
- Explain the components of food systems and their complex interactions across spatial and temporal scales. [Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture concentration]
- Articulate the physical, psychological, cultural, and spiritual significance of food to individual and community wellbeing. [Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture concentration]
- Using multiple methods of analysis, evaluate the environmental and equity impacts of different food system practices to reveal points of leverage for social-ecological change. [Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture concentration]
- Engage knowledge, skills, and values through experiences that advance sustainability, resilience, and justice within food systems. [Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture concentration]
- Understand the fundamental concepts of climate science and the impacts of climate change on society and the natural environment. [Climate and Energy concentration]
- Assess the state of energy production, consumption, and the deployment of sustainable technologies as part of a just energy transition. [Climate and Energy concentration]
- Evaluate the role of governmental policy and regulation in solving climate and energy related problems. [Climate and Energy concentration]
- Apply techniques from both the natural and social sciences to design practical and innovative solutions to contemporary climate and energy issues. [Climate and Energy concentration]
SES Shared Learning Outcomes
All SES majors share the following Program Learning Objectives, in addition to their unique major-specific Program Learning Objectives:
1. Articulate the foundational principles of natural and social sciences and humanities essential to solving environmental problems.
2. Critically evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information relating to environmental topics.
3. Employ knowledge and skills to design and implement solutions that contribute to a just and sustainable world.
4. Exemplify the values of environmental and social justice through actions to care for our common home and one another.