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Environmental Science

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Sample 4-Year Plan: Environmental Science B.S.

Location: Herrmann Science Center 150

Telephone: 859-572-1407

Fax: 859-572-5639

E-mail Address: boycer@nku.edu

Web Address: http://envsci.nku.edu/

Program Director: Richard L. Boyce, Department of Biological Sciences

Other Faculty: Kristine N. Hopfensperger, Kirsten Schwarz

Bachelor of Science with a major in Environmental Science

The environmental science program is an interdisciplinary program that provides those interested in environmental careers with a strong background in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics. This multidisciplinary background is combined with 300 level or above course requirements that integrate the disciplines and emphasize the scientific study of environmental issues from a research- and career-oriented perspective. The inclusion of research or internships enables students to gain expertise and experience to monitor, analyze, and contribute to the solution of current environmental problems. These opportunities are provided by faculty from the biology, chemistry, and physics and geology departments, the Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics, the Center for Applied Ecology, and industry and government agencies. Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science are well equipped to join the ranks of other environmental professionals working with local, state, and federal agencies; consulting firms; or nonprofit organizations. They are also qualified to become part of a research team or pursue graduate study in environmental sciences.

Special admission requirements: Students will enter into the program as pre-environmental science majors. Upon completion of "BIO 150/150L and BIO 151/151L: Introduction to Biology I and II with Laboratory," "CHE 120/120L and CHE 121/121L: General Chemistry I and II with Laboratory," and either "MAT 119: Pre-Calculus Mathematics" or "STA 205: Introduction to Statistical Methods" with a grade of C- or higher, students may be admitted as environmental science majors.

You should also know: The degree of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science will be conferred upon all students who complete all of the following course requirements with a grade of C- or better.

If a particular course has a prerequisite that is not listed as part of the major requirements, then the prerequisite is given in italics below the course for which it is a prerequisite, and it is marked with an asterisk (*). These prerequisites must be completed IN ADDITION TO other program requirements.


B.S. – Environmental Science			Credits
BIO 150/150L	Introduction to Biology I with Laboratory				4
BIO 151/151L	Introduction to Biology II with Laboratory				4
BIO 304/304L	General Ecology with Laboratory				4
CHE 120/120L	General Chemistry I with Laboratory				4
CHE 121/121L	General Chemistry II with Laboratory				4
CHE 310/310L	Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory				4
ENV 110	Introduction to Environmental Science and Issues				3
ENV 115	Orientation to Environmental Science Careers				1
ENV 291W	Advanced Writing in Environmental Science *Prerequisite: ENG 101 College Writing or ENG 151H Honors College Writing				3
ENV 400		Environmental Science Seminar			1
GEO 306		Environmental Resource Management			3
GEO 418		Geographic Information Systems			4
GLY 120		This Dangerous Earth			3
GLY 340		Introduction to Environmental Geoscience			3
GLY 450		Hydrogeology with Laboratory			4
MAT 119		Pre-calculus Mathematics			3
PHY 211		General Physics with Laboratory I			5
PHY 213		General Physics with Laboratory II			5
STA 205		Introduction to Statistical Methods			3
One 3 credit internship
OR				3
Directed research
A minor in biology, chemistry, geology or geography**
**The requirements for the minor beyond the 8-14 credits are completed as part of the environmental science major.				8-14
Program Credits				76-82
Additional Prerequisite Credits				3
TOTAL CREDITS				79-85


FIRST YEAR The designated general education courses recommended should be taken in the first year.	Fall Semester		Spring Semester
	BIO 150 Introduction to Biology I and BIO 150L Introduction to Biology I Laboratory	4	BIO 151 Introduction to Biology II and BIO 151L Introduction to Biology II Laboratory	4
	CHE 120 General Chemistry I and CHE 120L General Chemistry I Laboratory	4	CHE 121 General Chemistry II and CHE 121L General Chemistry II Laboratory	4
	ENV 110 Introduction to Environmental Science and Issues	3	GLY 120 This Dangerous Earth	3
	ENV 115 Orientation to Environmental Science Careers	1	Gen Ed: Communication; Oral1	3
	Gen Ed: Communication; Written I1	3
	TOTAL	15	TOTAL	14
SECOND YEAR In the spring semester, a minor elective may be exchanged with a general education course.	Fall Semester		Spring Semester
	BIO 304 General Ecology	3	ENV 291W Advanced Writing in Environmental Science	3
	BIO 304L Ecology Laboratory	1	GEO 306 Environmental Resource Management	3
	CHE 310 Organic Chemistry I and CHE 310L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	4	Gen Ed: Self and Society	3
	GEO 418 Geographic Information Systems	4	Gen Ed: Self and Society	3
	STA 205 Introduction to Statistical Methods	3	Gen Ed: Culture and Creativity	3
	TOTAL	15	TOTAL	15
THIRD YEAR Electives and general education courses may be exchanged from the third year on.	Fall Semester		Spring Semester
	GLY 340 Introduction to Environmental Geoscience	3	ENV 400 Environmental Science Seminar	1
	MAT 119 Pre-Calculus Mathematics	3	GLY 450 Hydrogeology	4
	Minor elective2	4	Minor elective2	4
	Gen Ed: Self and Society	3	Minor or elective2	3
	Gen Ed: Culture and Creativity	3	Gen Ed: Global Viewpoints	3
	TOTAL	16	TOTAL	15
FOURTH YEAR The internship/externship or directed research course maybe taken any time during the 3rd or 4th years.	Fall Semester		Spring Semester
	Internship/Externship or Directed Research	3	PHY 213 General Physics with Laboratory II	5
	PHY 211 General Physics with Laboratory I	5	Elective2	4
	Elective2	4	Elective2	3
	Elective2	3	Elective2	3

	TOTAL	15	TOTAL	15
GRAND TOTAL OF CREDITS				120
Notes: This plan is ONE way in which you can complete your degree program in four years; it is not the only way. It assumes that you do not have to take any developmental courses (courses numbered below 100). It also assumes that you are not a transfer student, and you are beginning in the fall. 1Regarding general education, as shown on this plan, the environmental science program highly recommends that you complete the written I and the oral communication classes during your first year. Program requirements will take care of the written II and scientific and quantitative inquiry requirements. How you sequence the remainder of the general education program is up to you. 2Be sure that you complete at least 45 credits at the 300 level or above. Completion of the bare minimum for the one of the required minors (biological sciences, chemistry, geology, or geography) is not sufficient to meet this requirement; you will need an additional 11-14 hours at the 300 level or above. These can be taken from the department of the required minor or elsewhere.

Northern Kentucky University

Environmental Science

Sample 4-Year Plan: Environmental Science B.S.