Environmental Science

About the Program

ES is an interdisciplinary program focusing on the application of scientific concepts and principles to the understanding of environmental problems and their solutions. ES draws upon the expertise of faculty in the areas of biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and others, to study the relationship between humans and their environment. 

What does this minor offer? 

  • ES complements any major in the College by focusing on courses related to environmental issues; 
  • ES broadens your understanding of how sciences are linked to environmental questions;
  • ES provides a scientific background to those students interested in environmental law, environmental justice, environmental-economics, and environmental policy formulation.

What careers relate to a minor in ES?

For more information contact your advisor or the Chairs of the Natural Sciences departments.

Curriculum

Minor:

A total of 24 credit hours and one environmental experiential class as follows:

Two of the following introductory courses in environmental science:

  • Geology 116 Global Environmental Change
  • Geology 111 Earth System Science
  • Biology 105 Environmental Science

    Three of the following courses: (At least one must be taken from outside a student’s major department)

  • Biology 210: Conservation Biology
  • Biology 212 and 214 (taken together): Environmental Issues in Southern Africa, Environmental Field Studies in Namibia and Botswana
  • Biology or Geology 254: Coral Reef Ecology
  • Biology 315: Ecology
  • Chemistry 211: Organic Chemistry I
  • Chemistry 406: Instrumental Analysis
  • Chemistry 422: Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • Geology 214: Environmental Geology
  • One additional environmentally-oriented course 200 or higher level nonscience course approved by the program committee. Students who petition for coursework outside the sciences to be counted toward the minor must use the ES Minor Course Approval Form (DOC).
  • One additional environmentally-oriented experience based on experiential learning. These experiences will be approved by the environmental science committee but may include independent research, internships, service projects, summer experiences, and international experiences. Students who are petitioning for an environmental experience to be counted toward the Environmental Science Minor must use the ES Minor Experience Approval Form (DOC).

    • Faculty

    Rosanna Cappellato, Department of Biology
    Carol Ekstrom, Department of Physics (Geology)
    Eric Gottlieb, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
    David Kesler, Department of Biology, Chair
    Jon Russ, Department of Chemistry