Environmental Science

The focus of the ES track is on applying and integrating basic and applied sciences to solve complex environmental problems.

Students will use an understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to develop a broad knowledge base in soil, hydrologic, atmospheric, and biological sciences.

"This track is geared toward students who are interested in a strong background in physical and biological sciences." —Prof. Brandy Toner

A Faculty Perspective

A Student's Perspective 

Students will study the interaction between science and the functioning of urban, forested, and agricultural lands as well as hydrologic, atmospheric, soil, and wetland resources.

The ES track will also help students learn how to communicate scientific information to resource managers, policy makers, citizens, and other environmental professionals.

Sample Four-Year Plan

The sample plan below shows you one of several possible ways to complete this degree. Use Graduation Planner to make your customized plan, and work with your academic adviser to ensure that you are on track to graduate on time.

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First Year

First Year

Fall Semester

ESPM 1001 Freshmen Orientation to Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management (1 credit)
ESPM 1011 Issues in the Environment (3 credits)
MATH 1271 Calculus I (4 credits)
CHEM 1061 Chemical Principles I (3 credits)
CHEM 1065 Chemical Principles I Laboratory (1 credit)
Freshman Composition (4 credits)

(16 credits total)

Spring Semester

ESPM 2021 Environmental Sciences: Integrated Problem Solving (3 credits)
BIOL 1009 General Biology (4 credits)
CHEM 1062 Chemical Principles II (3 credits)
CHEM 1066 Chemical Principles II Laboratory (1 credit)
Freshman Seminar (3 credits)

(14 credits total)

Second Year

Second Year

Fall Semester

ESPM 3271 Environmental Policy, Law, and Human Behavior (3 credits)
PMB 2022 General Botany (3 credits)
ESCI 1001 Earth and Its Environments (4 credits)
LE (Writing Intensive - Lower Division) (3 credits)
LE (Literature) (3 credits)

(16 credits total)

Spring Semester

ESPM 1425 Introduction to Weather and Climate (4 credits)
SOIL 2125 Basic Soil Science : 4.0 cr : PHYS, ENV
PHYS 1101W Introductory College Physics I : 4.0 cr : PHYS, WI
COMM 1101 Introduction to Public Speaking : 3.0 cr : CIV

(15 credits total)

Third Year

Third Year

Fall Semester

ESPM 3000 Seminar on Current Issues for ESPM (1 credit)
ESPM 3108 Ecology of Managed Systems (3 credits)
FNRM 3114 Hydrology and Watershed Management (3 credits)
FNRM 3131 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources (4 credits)
LE (Historical Perspectives) (3 credits)

(14 credits total)

Spring Semester

ESPM 3012 Statistical Methods for Environmental Scientists and Managers (4 credits)
ESPM 3261 Economics and Natural Resources Management (4 credits)
ESPM 3777 Climate Change- Physics, Myths, Mysteries, and Uncertainties (3 credits)
CFAN 3096 Making the Most of your Professional Experience (1 credit)
FNRM 3218 Measuring and Modeling Forests (3 credits)

(15 credits total)

Summer Semester

SOIL 4511 Field Study of Soils (2 credits)

(2 credits total)

Fourth Year

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

ESPM 3612W - Soil and Environmental Biology (4 credits)
LE (Arts/Humanities) (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)

(13 credits total)

Spring Semester

ESPM 4021W - Problem Solving: Environmental Review (4 credits)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major - ESPM 4021W
ESPM 3221 - Soil Conservation and Land-Use Management (3 credits)
LE (Global Perspectives) (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)
Elective (2 credits)

(15 credits total)