The bachelor of science in environmental science provides scientific coursework in both the natural and social sciences while focusing on the complex relationship among science and public policy. Courses for this online bachelor's degree offer a fundamental understanding of environmental policy and analysis. The courses will also cover environment management issues, such as sustainability, the stewardship of natural resources, pollution management, fish and wildlife management, hazardous materials, and geographic information science (GIS).
This degree program is designed to aid students in developing the skills necessary to pursue various career paths, such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspector, environmental engineer, civil engineer, or urban or regional planner. In addition to the core scientific studies, this bachelor’s degree will help students to improve their critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication skills, which are valuable assets in all industries.
Courses in this online degree are taught by expert practitioners. Many instructors are leaders in the field and hold positions at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, the Nature Conservancy, and other prominent government and nongovernment organizations.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a solid foundation in the theory and application of the environmental sciences.
- Implement the scientific method and appropriate tools to investigate and solve problems.
- Apply critical thinking skills in assessing and evaluating problems.
- Communicate scientific knowledge to diverse audiences.
- Evaluate societal and cultural influences on environmental challenges within their historical context and their impacts on ecosystems, public health, productivity, and social and economic justice.
- Devise solutions to environmental issues that are science-based, ethical, and sustainable.
Degree at a Glance
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 30 | |
| Major Required | 44 | |
| Select one of the following concentrations: | 12 | |
| Final Program Requirements | 3 | |
| Elective Requirements | 31 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120 | |
Degree Program Requirements
General Education Requirements (30 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities (6 semester hours) 1 | ||
| STEM270 | Thinking and Acting Ethically | 3 |
| Select 1 courses from the following: | 3 | |
| Arabic I | ||
| Arabic II | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Survey of Photography | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| Image Enhancement using Adobe Photoshop® | ||
| French I | ||
| French II | ||
| German I | ||
| German II | ||
| Introduction to Japanese | ||
| Literature of American Encounters, Revolution, and Rebellion | ||
| From Abolition to #MeToo: Literature of the American Civil Rights Movement | ||
| Pivotal Figures in Early British Literature | ||
| British Literature from Wordsworth through the Wasteland | ||
| Leadership in World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern Period | ||
| Literature of the Newly Globalized World: The Individual’s Struggle to Adapt | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz and Rock | ||
| World Music and Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Critical Thinking | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Introduction to Brazilian Portuguese | ||
| Introduction to the Study of Religion | ||
| Introduction to World Religions | ||
| Russian I | ||
| Spanish I | ||
| Spanish II | ||
| Civics, Political and Social Sciences (6 semester hours) 1 | ||
| STEM280 | Exploring Society and Cultures via Science Fiction | 3 |
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| World Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Planning Your Future with Purpose in Humanities & Education | ||
| Planning Your Future with Purpose in Business | ||
| Planning Your Future with Purpose in Health Sciences | ||
| Planning Your Future with Purpose in STEM | ||
| Planning Your Future with Purpose in Security & Global Studies | ||
| Social Media and Society | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Humane Education: A Global Interdisciplinary Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Geography | ||
| Practical Food Safety and Awareness | ||
| International Relations I | ||
| Forgotten America--Under Represented Cultures in American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| American Government I | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Death and Dying | ||
| Race & Religion | ||
| Hope and Resilience | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| American Popular Culture | ||
| Communication: Writing, Oral, and Multimedia (9 semester hours) | ||
| COMM120 | Information and Digital Literacy | 3 |
| ENGL110 | Making Writing Relevant | 3 |
| ENGL221 | Scientific Writing | 3 |
| History (3 semester hours) | ||
| STEM185 | The History and Context of STEM | 3 |
| Mathematics and Applied Reasoning (3 semester hours) | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| College Trigonometry | ||
| Calculus | ||
| Natural Sciences (3 semester hours) | ||
| ERSC181 | Introduction to Geology | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 30 | |
| 1 | All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101 - Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110 - Making Writing Relevant. |
Major Required (44 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL133 | General Biology I with Lab | 4 |
| CHEM133 | General Chemistry I with Lab | 4 |
| STEM100 | Introduction to STEM Disciplines | 3 |
| EVSP201 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| MATH302 | Statistics | 3 |
| EVSP309 | Atmospheric Science | 3 |
| EVSP310 | Water Science | 3 |
| EVSP311 | Soil Science | 3 |
| EVSP312 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
| EVSP416 | General Ecology | 3 |
| EVSP322 | Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| PHIL320 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| EVSP411 | Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law | 3 |
| EVSP413 | Environmental and Ecosystems Management | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 44 | |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a General Concentration or a Concentration in Fish and Wildlife Management.
General Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
A general concentration allows you to take courses across a number of areas of study within your program based on your own interests.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EVSP316 | U.S. Federal Environmental Organization | 3 |
| EVSP320 | Energy and Resource Sustainability | 3 |
| EVSP321 | Land Use and Planning | 3 |
| EVSP418 | Green Infrastructure and Renewable Technologies | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Fish and Wildlife Management (12 semester hours)
Offers an overview of concepts and principles of fish and wildlife resource management. Examines the agencies responsible for resource management and the competencies of professional fish and wildlife managers. Management techniques and methods, public lands management, and the regulations, policies, and politics that influence U.S. fish and wildlife management are also covered.
NOTE: Students wishing to enroll in SCIN311, SCIN314, SCIN401, or SCIN402 for their concentration work MUST also take BIOL134 as a prerequisite. BIOL134 is NOT included in the BS Environmental Science major and is needed for these more specialized courses offered through the Natural Sciences program. This requirement cannot be waived. Please note that students can complete the Concentration in Fish and Wildlife Management without taking these specialized courses, but if these courses are desired the additional BIOL134 prerequisite must be completed as part of the student’s elective hours.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Describe the fundamental concepts and principles of the management of fish and wildlife resources.
- Explain the impact of human activities on the survival and management of fish and wildlife populations.
- Identify the federal, state, and local agencies responsible for the management of fish and wildlife resources.
- List the competencies needed to become a professional fish or wildlife manager.
- Compare the effectiveness of fish and wildlife management techniques and methods.
- Explain the regulations, policies, and politics that influence the management of fish and wildlife in the U.S.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Fish and Wildlife Policies, Programs, and Issues | ||
| Introduction to Wildlife Management | ||
| Population Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Fishery Biology | ||
| Botany | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EVSP498 | Senior Seminar in Environmental Science (to be taken as the last course before graduation) 1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 | |
| 1 | Prerequisite: Senior Standing and completion of all major courses prior to enrollment. |
Elective Requirements (31 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select any courses not already taken to fulfill the requirements listed above. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major. | 31 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 31 | |