Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with Environmental Biology Option

About

In the Environmental Biology option of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, you’ll get a strong foundation in general biology, general chemistry, and general geology. You’ll also take in-depth courses that focus on different aspects of environmental science. Throughout the program, you’ll get hands-on laboratory and research experience. Our graduates are well prepared for employment in environmental science as well as entry to graduate or professional school.

Curriculum & RequirementsAcademic Plan

Curriculum & Requirements

Environmental Science Major with Environmental Biology Option, Bachelor of Science (BS)

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that combines physical, chemical, and biological sciences with social, political, and economic understanding needed to study the environment and address environmental problems. The Environmental Science program integrates classroom work in biology, chemistry, geosciences, and social sciences (economics and planning) with extensive field, lab, and research experience. All students take a core of Environmental Science courses complemented by a concentration in one of the three core sciences (biology, chemistry, and geoscience). Motivated students have the opportunity to obtain a double major in both Environmental Science and their concentration area. Graduates leave Eastern with the necessary professional and technical skills for employment in the environmental profession or entry into graduate or professional school.

Each student should meet with an advisor when declaring environmental science as a major.

Students should start the program with the necessary mathematics background to enter into the calculus or statistics sequence.
PRECALCULUS I (or equivalent)
It is recommended that students complete these required courses within the first two years.
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BIOLOGY I
and BIOLOGY II
and BIOLOGY III
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III
THE EARTH'S INTERIOR
and THE EARTH'S SURFACE
All Environmental Science students must take a junior year and a final senior year environmental seminar.
ENVS 300ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE JUNIOR SEMINAR1
ENVS 400ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SENIOR SEMINAR1

Note: some course options may not result in there being 60 upper division credits required for graduation within the major–advisor consultation is required.

Grade Requirements: students must maintain an average GPA ≥2.0 in the major to graduate from the program.

Note: may only count BIOL 380 once.

Environmental Science Required Courses
BIOL 171BIOLOGY I5
BIOL 172BIOLOGY II5
BIOL 173BIOLOGY III5
BIOL 270BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION3
BIOL 440ECOLOGY4
CHEM 171
171L
CHEM 172
CHEM 172L
CHEM 173
CHEM 173L
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III
15
DSCI 245BUSINESS STATISTICS 1 (may only count BIOL 380 once)4-5
or BIOL 380 DATA ANALYSIS FOR BIOLOGISTS
or MATH 380 ELEMENTARY PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
DSCI 346BUSINESS STATISTICS 2 (may only count BIOL 380 once)4-5
or BIOL 380 DATA ANALYSIS FOR BIOLOGISTS
or MATH 161 CALCULUS I
ECON 100GENERAL EDUCATION ECONOMICS5
ENVS 100INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE5
ENVS 300ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE JUNIOR SEMINAR1
ENVS 400ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SENIOR SEMINAR1
GEOS 111THE EARTH'S INTERIOR5
GEOS 112THE EARTH'S SURFACE5
GEOS 320ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY4
GEOS 323GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES5
GEOS 470GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY4
PLAN 431ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS3
Environmental Biology–Required General Biological Knowledge–choose one of the following 5
MICROBIOLOGY
BOTANY
INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
Electives–Upper division electives with advisor's consent.20
Required Senior Capstone
BIOL 490SENIOR CAPSTONE5
Total Credits113-115

Catalog Listing

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully earn a BS in Environmental Science with Environmental Biology from EWU should be able to do the following:

  • demonstrate effective oral, graphical, and written communication abilities, and critical thinking skills as related to the environmental sciences;
  • demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationships among the physical and biological components of ecosystems;
  • develop an integrated knowledge of major concepts in the area of environmental sciences and an understanding of fundamental roles that biology, chemistry, and geology play in environmental science;
  • develop sufficient preparation in the environmental sciences to successfully compete in a graduate or professional program, or to realize employment in an environmental sciences-related career;
  • use epistemologically sound quantitative techniques for the analysis of biotic and abiotic samples and systems.