The Environmental Science (ENVS) program is a university-wide major that is administratively housed in the department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science. The Environmental Science major offers focal areas in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Science and Technology, Science and Policy, Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis, Soil Science, and Sustainable Land/Water Management. A focal area in Environmental Education is being developed.
This major provides a strong background in the chemical, biological, and physical sciences, along with the development of skills in mathematics, computers, problem solving, and communications.An interdisciplinary approach is taken to also include courses in law, political science, economics, safety, and those sciences which pertain to environmental issues.
The program has four basic features:
- Focus on Environmental Pollution (evaluating and mitigating)
- Developed lands (human impacted as opposed to fully natural conditions)
- Rigorous science core curriculum
- Flexibility
(after meeting core requirements)
Expected Outcomes
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Be able to understand and describe the source and extent of current environmental pollution problems, and understand U.S. laws governing pollution and remediation.
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Learn and integrate basic scientific principles involved in preventing soil and water degradation, and remediation of contaminated land and water.
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Understand factors governing fate and transport of water and contaminants in the soil and vadose zone.
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Have and appreciation and knowledge of the Earth with emphasis on a basic understanding of soils and water sources as critical entities in natural and human-impacted ecosystems. (JFA Mod, Oct 06)
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Understand soils as natural entities and the factors of soil formation and erosion.
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Understand important physical, chemical and biological properties of soils as they relate to their mineralogy, fertility, genesis and classification, biology and biochemistry, and land use management. (JFA Mod, Oct 06)
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Understand important physical, chemical and biological properties of water with emphasis on water quality as it relates to human health, sustainable soil-plant systems and the preservation of the natural environment. (JFA Mod, Oct 06)
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Understand how to properly collect soil and water samples, identify and implement appropriate analytical techniques, and interpret results.
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Be proficient in writing a technical report or proposal in the field of Environmental Science.
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Be able to create a hypothesis, design an experiment to test that hypothesis, analyze the results, and draw appropriate conclusions.
With this degree,students will be prepared to pursue careers in business and industry, governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private consulting firms.
In addition, the BS degree in Environmental Science will facilitate students to enter graduate school in a variety of fields, including most sciences, resource management, engineering, law, and public policy.
Questions?
Contact SWES office
updated 06/2009