College of Arts and Sciences
Environmental Science (B.S.)
The environmental science major consists of two parts: 1) a core curriculum required of all majors and 2) a concentration of study in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geography, mathematics, physics, or sociology/anthropology. Environmental science courses are described below; all other required courses are described in the listings of other departments named.
- General Education (see for list of approved courses)
- Rhetoric and Composition: English 121, 122 (6 hours)
- Mathematics: One approved mathematics course (3 hours); related course noted below will apply
- Statistics: Biology 216 (4 hours) or Mathematics 210
- Natural Sciences: Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component (7-8 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts: Two approved humanities and fine arts courses, one from fine arts and one from either (6 hours)
- Cultures and Civilizations: Option A: Western Humanities I and II and Non-Western Cultures and Civilizations OR Option B: World Civilization I, II, III (9 hours total)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Two approved behavioral or social science courses (6 hours)
Major and Related Courses
The following core requirement must be completed by all Environmental Science majors.
- English 278 or Environmental Science 495
- Mathematics 131 and 136 OR 144, 145 and 151/152 (Mathematics 144, 145, 151/152 are required for the Chemistry and Engineering Science Concentrations.)
- 33 hours including Environmental Science 150, 151, 410, 484; Biology 306/307; Geography 221; and courses from the areas:
- Environmental Policy and Planning (select 1 course): Environmental Science 407, 430, Sociology 209, Communication 410, Economics 430
- Environmental Resources (select 1 course): Biology 251, Environmental Science 240, 250, 406, 440, 460, ESC/Geology 225, Geology 436, 445 required for Engineering Science concentration)
- Environmental Methods (select 1 course): Environmental Science 340, 360, Environmental Engineering 431, Geography 465, 466
- Senior Experience (2 credit minimum): Environmental Science 480, 490, 491r, 495r, 496r, 497r, 498r
- Three laboratory courses above the 100 level from either the core or concentration requirements.
Each Environmental Science major must also complete the requirements for one of the following concentrations:
2331 - Biology
- Chemistry 121/123, 122/124, 341, 351/353
- Biology 121, 122
- Three courses from Biology 207, 311 (recommended), 312, 313, 325, 342, 351, 352, 408, 416, 456, 457, 458
- Two courses from Environmental Science 406, 440, 460 or Environmental Science/Geology 225
2333 - Chemistry
- Biology 121, 122
- Chemistry 121/123, 122/124, 341, 342, 351/353, 352/354
- Environmental Science 225 (226 recommended)
- Physics 103/183, 104/184
2335 - Engineering Science
- Chemistry 121/123, 122/124, 351/353
- Engineering 103, 104, 113, 185, 211, 224,
- Environmental Engineering 331 and 437
- Mathematics 161/162, 212, 245
2338 - Geography
- Sociology 151, 209, 314
- Geology 111/181, 112/182
- 21 hours from Geography, 9 of which must be at the upper level. These hours are additional to any Geography hours taken as part of the 30 hours required of all ESC majors. With approval of the Biology/Environmental Science department head, Geology 307 or Biology 416 or an upper level ESC course may be substituted for 3 hours.
2337 - Geology
- Chemistry 121/123, 122/124
- Geography 101 or Geology 108
- Geography 206 (409 recommended)
- Geology 111/181, 112/182, 341, 342, and 9 additional hours from 225, 454, 407, 436, 445, or 496r. These hours are additional to any Geology hours taken as part of the 30 hours required of all ESC majors.
2339 - Mathematics
- Mathematics 161/162, 212, 245, 255, 300, 308, 350, 407, 408, 412; two courses from 414, 424, 428, 440, 445, 460 or 470
- One two-semester sequence from biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, physics
2343 - Sociology-Anthropology
Sociology 151, 314, 414; either Anthropology 152 or 208; either Anthropology 302 or Sociology 312; additional 15 hours from Anthropology 211, 335, 356, 410, and Sociology 209, 219, 300, 305, 317, 318, 331, 340, 415, 440, 430 and Communication 410 (minimum 9 hours selected from these additional courses at 300-400 level); one two-semester sequence from biology, chemistry, geology, or physics.
- 2.0 average in all environmental science courses.
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300 and 400 level courses.
- Electives to complete 120 hours.
- Additional requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MINORS
4554 - Environmental Science
- 20 hours including Environmental Science 150, 151 and 12 hours environmental science courses at the 300-level or above.
- Minimum 2.0 average in the minor.
4565 - Geographic Information Science
- 18 hours not applicable toward a major in Environmental Science including Geography/Environmental Science 465, 466; one course from Biology 216, Mathematics 210, or Psychology 201/204; and remaining hours from Environmental Studies 498r, Geography 221, Geology 454.
- Minimum 8 hours at the 300-400 level.
- Minimum 2.0 average in courses attempted for the minor.
BIOLOGY COURSES (BIOL)
110 Conservation of Biodiversity (3)
An introduction to systematic ways in which the human mind comprehends the natural world; emphasis on studies of living systems, natural processes, and related phenomena including evolution, population biology, ecosystem properties, biomes, extinction, human overpopulation, deforestation, global climate change, preservation of species, conservation ethics and economics, public policy, and sustainability. Every semester. Lecture 3 hours. Credits not allowed toward the Biology and Environmental Science majors if the student has previously completed Biology 122 or Environmental Science 151. May be registered as Environmental Science 110. Credit not allowed in both Biology and Environmental Science 110.
119 Light and Life (4)
Examines the methods of investigation that lead to our understanding of light and its role in nature and human development. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: Math Placement level 20. Credit not allowed toward the chemistry, physics, geology, biology or environmental sciences majors. May be registered as Chemistry 119 or Physics 119. Credit allowed in only one of the three courses.
121 Principles of Biology I (4)
An introduction to systematic ways in which the human mind comprehends the natural world; emphasis on studies of living systems, natural processes, and related phenomena including methods of the biologist, Darwin’s evolutionary theory, role of organic molecules in biological systems, structure and function of the cell, cellular division, Mendelian inheritance, molecular genetics, physiology of digestion, respiration and fluid regulation, and animal behavior. Every semester. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: UTC Math Placement Level 15 or Math 105 or equivalent.
