Environmental Science Minor
NSM PEAK
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary academic field that focuses on application of fundamental concepts and methods from the physical, chemical, and biological sciences to the study of the natural environment. The Environmental Science minor provides students with a framework for developing a scientific understanding of Earth’s natural systems and their interconnections with human society. A minor in Environmental Science allows students from diverse backgrounds to pursue interests in interdisciplinary applied natural sciences.
Students whose major is not Environmental Studies might consider pursuing an Environmental Humanities minor to complement the Environmental Science minor. Students majoring in Environmental Studies may not minor in Environmental Science. Students may not minor in either Environmental Science and Geosciences.
Minor Requirements
15-19 credits
Quantitative Skills (3 credits)
Complete one course.
MAT-125 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 credits |
MAT-212 | Multiple Regression Analysis | 3 credits |
The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125 or MAT-212) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.
Introduction to Environmental Interdisciplinarity (3 credits)
Complete one course.
Introduction to Environmental Science (4 credits)
ENV-161 | Environmental Systems Science | 3 credits |
ENV-161L | Environmental Systems Science Lab | 1 credit |
Applications: Climate, Ecology, Systematics (5-8 credits)
Complete two courses (including the corresponding lab or prep).
BIO-203 | Ecology, Evolution and Diversity | 3 credits |
BIO-203L | Ecology Evolution and Diversity Lab | 1 credit |
BIO-306 | Conservation Biology | 3 credits |
BIO-317 | Stream Ecology | 3 credits |
BIO-317L | Stream Ecology Lab | 1 credit |
BIO-319 | Ichthyology | 3 credits |
BIO-319L | Ichthyology Lab | 1 credit |
BIO-322.1 | Field Botany | 3 credits |
BIO-322L | Field Botany Lab | 1 credit |
BIO-326 | Coastal Marine Ecology | 4 credits |
BIO-326L | Coastal Marine Ecology Lab | 1 credit |
BIO-340 | Zoology | 3 credits |
BIO-340L | Zoology Laboratory | 1 credit |
BIO-345 | Ecology | 3 credits |
BIO-345L | Ecology Lab | 1 credit |
BIO-346.1 | Field Biology Preparation | 2 credits |
BIO-346 | Field Biology | 4 credits |
ENV-296 | Research Practicum | 2-3 credits |
ENV-310 | Geomorphology | 3 credits |
ENV-310L | Geomorphology Laboratory | 1 credit |
ENV-320 | Earth's Dynamic Climate System | 3 credits |
ENV-350 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 2 credits |
ENV-350L | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Lab | 1 credit |
ENV-496 | Advanced Research Practicum | 3 credits |
BIO-203 is a prerequisite for all listed 300-level BIO courses.
Earth Science (3-4 credits)
Complete one course and any corresponding lab.