Environmental Science, B.S.

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Description

Environmental Science focuses on interdisciplinary training in ecology and environmental science producing graduates to meet the needs of the region. Students develop the expertise necessary to identify the societal benefits provided by regional ecosystems, monitor changes in these systems, help minimize negative impacts on environments, and help lead environmental restoration.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

With a BS in Environmental Science, your career opportunities include: Entry-level positions at national or regional agencies and businesses in environmental consulting, health & safety, ecosystem restoration, watershed protection, wildlife management, air and water quality and hazard control, and greenspace acquisition and protection, to name a few.

Environmental Science BS and MS alumni are employed at national (i.e. Davey Environmental, EnviroScience, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, USDA ARS (Agricultural Research Program) and regional agencies and businesses throughout Northeast Ohio (i.e. City of Cleveland Air Quality Division, Cuyahoga County Health Department, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Ohio EPA).

What skills are developed within this major?

The Environmental Science major develops skills that include but are not limited to:

a working knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and statistics
in-depth knowledge of the environment
critical thinking
experimental design, data collection and analysis
communication
problem-solving and teamwork

These provide students with the training needed for a successful career in the environmental sciences.

Special Tracks

Honors Program, Environmental Biology, Environmental Physical Science, Environmental Technology, Environmental Planning, Secondary Teacher Licensure Program

Note

Environmental Science is part of the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences.

Hours Required for Degree

Hours required for degree: 120

Hours required for major: 72-74

College Requirements

See college page for college requirements.

Major Requirements

All majors must take 56-58 credits of core courses and 16 elective credits in one of the special environmental tracks described below.

A. Required Core Courses (19 Courses)

Choose one of the following physical science courses

Note: Courses not taken to fulfill this requirement may be used as track credits with approval of environmental science advisor.

Choose two of the following planning and policy courses

Note: Courses not taken to fulfill this requirement may be used as Environmental Planning track credits.

Choose one (at least four credits) of the following capstone courses

B. Environmental Track Areas - Sixteen Credit Hours

Complete 16 credit hours of electives in one of the following track areas: Environmental Biology; Environmental Physical Science; Environmental Technology; or Environmental Planning.

Environmental Biology Track

Environmental Physical Science Track

Environmental Technology Track

Environmental Planning Track

Note(s)

If not used as a core course requirement, students may take EVS 354 , EVS 355 , EVS 424 , EVS 425 , EVS 430 , EVS 444 , EVS 445 , UST 435 , UST 436 and UST 441 to satisfy environmental track electives where appropriate.

With the approval of the departmental adviser, a student may develop an alternative selection of track electives from the above lists.

The university requirement for at least one WAC course within the major is satisfied when students take their required capstone: EVS 490 or EVS 497 . For EVS Honors students, EVS 492 satisfies the capstone requirement and counts as a WAC in the major. EVS students can also complete a WAC in the major if they take UST 436 .

Environmental Science with Secondary Teacher License

The CSUteach Program offers an integrated science license. This licensure program requires coursework from the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Public Affairs and Education. Contact the CSUteach Program for education courses required for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate secondary Teacher Licensure Programs (216-687-4625, JH 170).

BS in Environmental Science, Integrated Science License, Grades 7-12

Environmental Science Courses (36 credit hours)

Choose two of the following planning and policy courses

Choose one (at least four credits) of the following capstone courses

Chemistry Courses (11 credit hours)

Physics Courses (13 credit hours)

Biology Courses (12 credit hours)

Mathematics Courses (7 credit hours)

Note

Students will also need to complete additional CSUteach education courses. Please see the College of Public Affairs and Education, CSUteach program catalog for details.

Honors Program

Environmental Science Honors students will undertake three or four credits of research (EVS 491 ) in a supervising faculty member’s laboratory on a project approved by the faculty member and by the department’s Honors Program Committee. A written report on the research project must be defended before a three-person faculty review committee (EVS 492 ). To remain in the program the student must sustain the grade-point averages required for admission to the program, as well as the approval of the faculty member supervising the student’s honors research.