Environmental Science - Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences

• GC 100 Physical Geography [SCII] or
      GC 101 Introduction to Environmental Science [INTT] (4 cr.)
• GC 202 Soils or
      GC 255 Physical Geology [SCII] (4 cr.)
• GC 205 Introduction to Geographic Research (4 cr.)
• GC 225 Introduction to Maps (2 cr.)
• GC 235 Quantitative Methods (4 cr.)
• GC 320 Environmental Policy and Regulation (4 cr.)
• GC 335 Geographic Information Systems (4 cr.)
• GC 488 Earth and Environmental Science Capstone Research or
      GC 489 Human-Environment Capstone (4 cr.)

In a time of rapid ecological change, we must have environmental scientists with training in natural resources to apply practical and scientific solutions to current and emerging human–environmental challenges. Our students pursuing a Natural Resources concentration prepare for various jobs related to resource and land management, conservation, restoration, GIS, environmental planning and protection, and recreation through hands-on, experiential learning in indoor and field-based classes and service-learning opportunities with local businesses and non-profit organizations. Graduates can pursue careers in invasive species control, ecological restoration, endangered species conservation, and resource management in non-profit organizations, government agencies, and private industry.

• BI 210 Principles of Ecology [SCII] (4 cr.)

At least two courses, from two different prefixes, must be 300 level or higher. (12 cr.)

• BI 240 Conservation Biology (4 cr.)
• BI 310 Ecology Theory and Methods (4 cr.)
• BI 330 Applied Plant Science (4 cr.)
• BI 412 Biostatistics (4 cr.)
• BI 431 Plant Phyisology (4 cr.)
• BI 441 Fisheries Management (4 cr.)
• BI 442 Wildlife Management (4 cr.)
• BI 466 Stream Ecology (4 cr.)
• EC 345 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (4 cr.)
• GC 210 Earth Hazards (4 cr.) [SCII]
• GC 285 Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, and Future (4 cr.)
• GC 362 Wetlands (4 cr.)
• GC 370 Geomorphology (4 cr.)
• GC 390 Oceanography (2 cr.)
• GC 401 Biogeography (4 cr.)
• GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
• GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 431 Landscape Dynamics and Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 465 Hydrology (4 cr.)
• GC 475 Environmental Impact Assessment (4 cr.)
• GC 482 Earth Systems Interactions (2-4 cr.)
• GC 491 Internship (2-6 cr.)
• RE 172 Introduction to Wildland Firefighting (3 cr.)
• RE 271 Protected Area Management (4 cr.)
• SP 432 Environmental Communication (4 cr.)

Noise, air, water, and soil pollution negatively impact the environment. Mitigating these problems improves overall human and ecosystem health. Our environmental science students pursuing the Pollution Control and Remediation concentration gain comprehensive knowledge of environmental pollution, remediation technology, environmental analysis, environmental impact assessments, and local/state/federal laws and regulations. In addition, these students gain experience analyzing the fate of environmental pollutants, quantifying these pollutants, and identifying strategies for their remediation. Our graduates may be prepared for careers in which they collaborate with fellow scientists and stakeholders to develop policies to minimize pollution and procedures to clean up the environment.

• CH 220 Introduction to Organic Chemistry (5 cr. )or
      CH 315 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.) and
      CH 317 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 cr.) and
      CH 325 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.) and
      CH 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr.)

At least two courses, from two different prefixes, must be 300 level or higher. (8-11 cr.)

• CH 241 Chemical Equilibrium (3 cr.)
• CH 242 Quantitative Analysis (2 cr.)
• CH 435 Gas and Liquid Chromatography (2 cr.)
• CH 450 Biochemistry I (4 cr.)
• CH 452 Biochemistry II (4 cr.)
• CH 454 Biochemical Techniques (4 cr.)
• BI 460 Ichthyology (4 cr.)
• BI 465 Aquatic Insect Ecology (4 cr.)
• GC 362 Wetlands (4 cr.)
• GC 385 Weather and Climate (4 cr.)
• GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
• GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 431 Landscape Dynamics and Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 465 Hydrology (4 cr.)
• GC 475 Environmental Impact Assessment (4 cr.)
• GC 482 Earth Systems Interactions (2-4 cr.)
• GC 491 Internship (2-6 cr.)

With ongoing challenges related to the extraction and distribution of resources to support our energy needs, harnessing sustainable and renewable resources like wind, sunlight, biofuels, geothermal heat, and rivers is increasingly vital. An environmental scientist trained in renewable energy technologies can address real-world social, economic, and technical sustainability issues, and work with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement renewable energy facilities in communities. Our graduates are prepared to collaborate with engineers, planners, and public policy experts in the public and private sectors.

• GC 342 Energy and the Environment

Choose 12 credits from the following:

• GC 269 Introduction to Sustainability (4 cr.)
• GC 285 Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, and Future (4 cr.)
• GC 385 Weather and Climate (4 cr.)
• GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
• GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 431 Landscape Dynamics and Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 491 Internship (2-6 cr.)
• PH 393 Experimental Instrumentation and Analysis (4 cr.)
• REN 200 Introduction to Renewable Energies (3 cr.)
• REN 221 Solar Power (3 cr.)
• REN 222 Wind Power (3 cr.)
• REN 230 Bioenergy (3 cr.)

Water scarcity is currently one of the most challenging issues facing societies worldwide. Competition for access to clean water is expected to intensify in the 21st century. An environmental scientist in water resources can apply knowledge of biology, chemistry, geoscience, hydrology, limnology, meteorology, and soil science to manage water for habitat and human use. Career activities may span inventory, data collection, and analysis of water use, quality, and pollution. Solutions are developed with various organizations and stakeholders (e.g., tribal governments, municipalities, private landowners, and non-profit organizations) that often have different interests in lands, resources, and programs.

• GC 465 Hydrology (4 cr.)

At least two courses, from two different prefixes, must be 300 level or higher. (12 cr.)

• BI 210 Principles of Ecology (4 cr.) [SCII]
• BI 314 Introduction to Marine Biology (4 cr.)
• BI 410 Ecology of the Great Lakes (4 cr.)
• BI 411 Limnology (4 cr.)
• BI 412 Biostatistics (4 cr.)
• BI 441 Fisheries Management (4 cr.)
• BI 465 Aquatic Insect Ecology (4 cr.)
• BI 466 Stream Ecology (4 cr.)
• CH 220 Introduction to Organic Chemistry (5 cr.) or
      CH 315 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.) and
      CH 317 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 cr.) and
      CH 325 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.) and
      CH 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr.)
• GC 285 Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, and Future (4 cr.)
• GC 362 Wetlands (4 cr.)
• GC 370 Geomorphology (4 cr.)
• GC 385 Weather and Climate (4 cr.)
• GC 390 Oceanography (2 cr.)
• GC 425 Remote Sensing (4 cr.)
• GC 428 Spatial Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 431 Landscape Dynamics and Analysis (4 cr.)
• GC 475 Environmental Impact Assessment (4 cr.)
• GC 482 Earth Systems Interactions (2-4 cr.)
• GC 491 Internship (2-6 cr.)

• BI 111 Introductory Biology: Principles [SCII] (4 cr.)
• BI 112 Introductory Biology: Diversity (4 cr.)
• CH 111 General Chemistry I [SCII] (5 cr.)
• CH 112 General Chemistry II (5 cr.)
• MA 161 Calculus I [QUAR] (4 cr.)
• PH 201 College Physics I [SCII] or
      PH 220 Introductory Physics I (5 cr.) [SCII]