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Bachelor of Science Degree - Environmental Science

Degree Requirements:

General Education Courses

Major Courses

Minor Courses – Optional

Student Learning Outcomes

A student successfully completing the Environmental Science major will be able to:

  1. Integrate knowledge from various scientific disciplines (i.e. biology, chemistry, earth science, physics) to address real world environmental problems. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, VI and VII.)
  2. Design a valid scientific experiment and analyze the resulting data. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, II and VI.)
  3. Read, interpret, and evaluate information presented in media ranging from public new sources to scientific papers. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, and III.)
  4. Accurately communicate scientific ideas in written and oral form. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes III, VI and VII.)
  5. Demonstrate an awareness of major global environment issues and appreciate the interconnectedness of the global system. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, V, VI and VII.)

Requirements

Environmental Science Core Courses

In order to graduate, a minimum 2.3 cumulative science is required in fulfillment of a natural science degree or minor as well as ENGL 110, ENGL 120, and COMM 110.

BIOL 151General Biology II

3
BIOL 151LGeneral Biology II Lab

1
BIOL 375Environmental Economics, Law and Public Policy

3
BIOL 405Biometry

3
CHEM 121General Chemistry I

4
CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry Lab I

1
GEOL 105Physical Geology

3
GEOL 105LPhysical Geology Lab

1
GIS 380Applied Arc GIS

3
 
PHYS 211College Physics I

3
And
PHYS 211LCollege Physics I Lab

1
Or
PHYS 251University Physics I

4
And
PHYS 251LUniversity Physics I Lab

1
 
SCNC 291Sophomore Science Seminar

1
SCNC 315Weather and Climate

3
SCNC 389Scientific Writings and Readings

2
SCNC 390Science Research I

1
SCNC 410Current Issues in Environmental Science

2
SCNC 490Science Research II

1
SCNC 491Science Seminar

1
SOIL 210Introduction to Soil Science

4
Total Credit Hours:41-42

Select either Policy or Science Track

Policy Track Requirements

This program combines science and the humanities to prepare students for careers in communication and policy-making, with a special emphasis on science and the environment. The coursework teaches the content knowledge, the critical thinking skills, and the communication skills needed to start a career as an environmental lobbyist, science writer, government policy maker, and so much more, working for private industry, the government, or a non-profit organization.

AGEC 422Resource Economics and Environmental Protection

3
BIOL 250Wildlife Management

3
COMM 308Argumentation

3
COMM 313Persuasion

3
ECON 201Principles Of Microeconomics

3
ECON 202Principles Of Macro-Economics

3
POLS 115American Government

3
POLS 315Public Opinion

3
POLS 380Energy Politics

3
POLS 432Public Policy

3
Total Credit Hours:30

Policy Track Electives


Take an additional 9 semester hours from the following:
COMM 410Public Relations

3
GEOL 320Hydrogeology

3
GIS 382Applied GPS

3
GIS 480GPS/GIS II

3
GEOG 452Global Issues

3
GEOG 454Conservation

3
MATH 165Calculus I

4
MATH 166Calculus II

4
POLS 240Political Ideologies

3
POLS 325Research Methods

3
POLS 330History of Political Thought

3
RNG 480Conflict Resolutions in Agriculture

1
SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3

Student may also choose one of the following for up to four credits:

BIOL 499Special Topics, Readings

1-6
CHEM 499Special Topics

1-6
GEOL 499Special Topics, Readings

1-6
POLS 499Special Topics, Readings

1-6

Student may also choose one of the following for up to three credits:

BIOL 497Biology Internship, Externship, Cooperative Education

1-6
CHEM 497Chemistry Internship, Externship, Cooperative Education

1-6
GEOL 497Geology Internship, Externship, Cooperative

1-6
POLS 497Political Science Internship, Externship, Cooperative Education

1-6
Total Credit Hours:80-81

Science Track Requirements

This program prepares students for careers as an environmental scientist. The coursework teaches the science content knowledge, the critical thinking skills, and the research skills needed to start a career as an environmental consultant, atmospheric scientist, water quality scientist, reclamation expert, and so many more, working for private industry, the government, or a non-profit organization. This program also prepares students to attend graduate school in a large variety of scientific fields to gain additional education.

BIOL 150General Biology I

3
BIOL 150LGeneral Biology I Lab

1
BIOL 254Introduction to Botany

4
BIOL 415Ecology

4
CHEM 122General Chemistry II

4
CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry Lab II

1
CHEM 341Organic Chemistry I

4
CHEM 341LOrganic Chemistry Lab I

1
GEOL 320Hydrogeology

3
 
PHYS 212College Physics II

3
And
PHYS 212LCollege Physics II Lab

1
Or
PHYS 252University Physics II

4
And
PHYS 252LUniversity Physics II Lab

1
Total Credit Hours:29-30

Science Track Electives:


Take an additional 9 semester hours from the following:

(at least one semester hour must be 300 or 400 level)
AGEC 422Resource Economics and Environmental Protection

3
BIOL 250Wildlife Management

3
BIOL 305General Microbiology

4
BIOL 455Soil Microbiology

3
CHEM 330Quantitative Analysis

4
CHEM 335Analytical Instrumentation

4
CHEM 342Organic Chemistry II

4
CHEM 342LOrganic Chemistry Lab II

1
CHEM 420Inorganic Chemistry

3
GEOL 311Process Geomorphology

4
GEOL 330Physical Geology of North Dakota

3
GIS 480GPS/GIS II

3
MATH 165Calculus I

4
MATH 166Calculus II

4
RNG 336Introduction to Range Management

4
RNG 453Rangeland Resources Watershed Management

3
RNG 456Range Habitat Management

3
RNG 458Rangeland Ecology

3
RNG 480Conflict Resolutions in Agriculture

1
SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3
SOIL 444Soil Genesis and Survey

4
SOIL 455Soil Microbiology

3

STUDENT MAY ALSO CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOR UP TO THREE CREDITS:

BIOL 497Biology Internship, Externship, Cooperative Education

1-6
CHEM 497Chemistry Internship, Externship, Cooperative Education

1-6
GEOL 497Geology Internship, Externship, Cooperative

1-6

STUDENT MAY ALSO CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOR UP TO FOUR CREDITS:

BIOL 499Special Topics, Readings

1-6
CHEM 499Special Topics

1-6
GEOL 499Special Topics, Readings

1-6
Total Credit Hours:79-81