The Major All Environmental Sciences majors must complete 30 hours of graded coursework in the Department. Four core courses with labs are required of all majors. The Department also requires related work in math and science. The required related work includes one semester of calculus and two semesters of college-level chemistry, biology, or physics with laboratories. Calculus is a prerequisite for 3 core courses for the major.
Ecology depends on a basic understanding of chemistry and biology.
Geosciences, hydrology, and atmospheric sciences depend more on chemistry and physics. To take maximum advantage of these interdisciplinary courses, students should complete the 4 core courses by the beginning of their fourth year. Many students interested in legal, business, foreign policy, or other applications in natural resources, in writing and communication involving science, in methods of analysis, or simply in understanding how their natural environment works enjoy the minor. The minor consists of at least 16 hours of Environmental Sciences coursework in a program chosen by the student and approved by the Department. The Department is often asked why we will not count specialized courses such as zoology taken at another school, or courses in environmental planning or economics, as part of our major or minor.