Check out the courses available for Fall 2026! The Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies majors are interdisciplinary, which allows students to take courses across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Case studies are used to explore the complexity of a set of environmental issues from multiple perspectives. This course serves as the introductory course for both the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors.
Required for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
An exploration of how to prepare for potential careers in environmental sciences, environmental studies, and sustainability. Opportunities such as internships, undergraduate research, and service learning will be discussed. Notes: Offered periodically.
Required for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
This course provides practical experience in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies data collection and analysis. Students will engage with multiple disciplinary perspectives and approaches to addressing research questions relevant to the study of the environment. This course includes travel to a field site for data collection. Prerequisites: ENVS 101 with a minimum grade of C- or S, or permission of instructor.
Required for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Mountains are some of the world’s most powerful landscapes—and some of its most misunderstood. From the ridge lines of the Appalachians to the icy summits of Everest, mountains have served as cultural borderlands, sites of conquest and adventure, sacred beings, and spaces of refuge. In this course, we explore how people imagine, use, and fight over mountain landscapes through case studies from Appalachia, the Andes, and global mountaineering. Throughout, we examine how mountain environments intersect with issues like climate change, resource extraction, conservation, tourism, and sovereignty. Students will gain new tools for understanding the complex relationships between humans and high-altitude worlds. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze mountain regions as complex social–ecological systems and understand how cultural meanings shape real environmental decisions.
Fulfills ENVS 350 requirement.
To examine the relationship that pre and post contact native peoples had/have with their local environments. Special emphasis will be placed on analyzing the sustainability of indigenous natural resource use and on the role native peoples play(ed) in the creation and maintenance of anthropogenic environments. The ethical ramifications of reporting instances of environmental degradation caused indigenous peoples will be addressed.
Fulfills Environmental Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Mountains are some of the world’s most powerful landscapes—and some of its most misunderstood. From the ridge lines of the Appalachians to the icy summits of Everest, mountains have served as cultural borderlands, sites of conquest and adventure, sacred beings, and spaces of refuge. In this course, we explore how people imagine, use, and fight over mountain landscapes through case studies from Appalachia, the Andes, and global mountaineering. Throughout, we examine how mountain environments intersect with issues like climate change, resource extraction, conservation, tourism, and sovereignty. Students will gain new tools for understanding the complex relationships between humans and high-altitude worlds. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze mountain regions as complex social–ecological systems and understand how cultural meanings shape real environmental decisions.
An examination of core concepts in biology that focuses on the molecular basis of life, genetic principles, and fundamental cellular processes that underlie all forms of life and all levels of biological organization. Co-requisite: BIOL 222 or BIOL 270. Notes: Offered in fall, spring, and summer.
Required for Environmental Science
An introduction to ecological concepts, the theory of evolution, and the diversity, structure, and function of microbes, plants, and animals. Co-requisite: BIOL 223 or BIOL 271. Notes: Offered in fall, spring, and summer.
Required for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
The application of scientific method to investigations in biology, including hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data analysis, and report preparation. Notes: Lab Fee: $50. Intensive Writing course. Offered in fall and spring. Prerequisites: BIOL 203, 204, 205, and 206, OR BIOL 220, 221, 222 or 270, and 223 or 271; WRIT 101; CHEM 105; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with MATH 150 or 151 as a prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken and a minimum grade of C- or S in CHEM 105 and WRIT 101.
Recommended for Environmental Science
A study of plants in their natural environment with field trips and collection, analysis, identification and preservation of plant specimens. Prerequisite: BIOL 220 and 221; BIOL 222 or 270, BIOL 223 or 271; CHEM 105, 201, or 211; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with MATH 150 or 151 as a prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken and in CHEM 105, 201, or 211. Notes: Offered periodically.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
An introductory survey of microbial activities, environment, diversity and economic importance. Bacterial and viral activities are emphasized. Prerequisites: BIOL 203, 204, 205, and 206, OR BIOL 220, 221, 222 or 270, and 223 or 271; CHEM 105; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with MATH 150 or 151 as a prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken and in CHEM 105. Notes: Lab Fee: $75. Offered in fall and spring.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
An ecological and evolutionary investigation of animal-plant interactions, including herbivory, pollination, and seed dispersal. Prerequisites: BIOL 220, 221, 222 or 270, and 223 or 271; CHEM 105, 201, or 211; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with MATH 150 or 151 as a prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken and in CHEM 105, 201, or 211.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
A study of the principles of genetics with an emphasis on human genetics. Topics to be covered include: modes of inheritance, the human genome, medical genetics, and genetics ethics. Prerequisite: BIOL 203, 204, 205, and 206, OR BIOL 220, 221, 222 or 270, and 223 or 271; CHEM 105; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with MATH 150 or 151 as a prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken and in CHEM 105. Notes: Students may not get course credit for both BIOL 316 and BIOL 317.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
A study of the historical and contemporary aspects of the science of heredity including patterns and modes of inheritance, fundamental aspects of molecular genetics, and recent advances in the genetics field. The laboratory aims to provide hands-on experience in Mendelian genetics and molecular genetics. Prerequisites: BIOL 203, 204, 205, and 206, OR BIOL 220, 221, 222 or 270, and 223 or 271; CHEM 105; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with MATH 150 or 151 as a prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken and in CHEM 105. Notes: Lab Fee: $75. Offered in fall. Students may not get course credit for both BIOL 316 and BIOL 317.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
BIOL 320 is an in-depth study of cellular structure, function and chemical composition. Prerequisite: BIOL 203, 204, 205, and 206, OR BIOL 220, 221, 222 or 270, and 223 or 271; CHEM 105; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with a MATH 150 or 151 prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all of the listed BIOL courses taken and in CHEM 105. Notes: Offered in fall and spring.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
An investigation of disturbance regimes and the impacts of disturbance on organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and landscapes, with particular focus on fire and hurricanes. Prerequisites: BIOL 220, 221, 222 or 270, and 223 or 271; CHEM 105, 201, or 211; MATH 101, 150, or 151 or any MATH course with MATH 150 or 151 as a prerequisite; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken and in CHEM 105, 201, or 211.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
An introduction to creating graphs, maps, and diagrams that display biological data. Prerequisites: BIOL 220 or 221; BIOL 222, 223, 270, or 271; students must have a minimum grade of C- or S in all 200-level BIOL courses taken.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
A study of the nomenclature, structure, physical properties, and reactions of several important classes of organic compounds. Notes: Offered in fall, spring, and summer. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 301 and 310. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better will be required in CHEM 105.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Human adjustment to the physical environment. The geographic factors in the distribution of population and the growth of civilization. Notes: Offered in fall, spring, and summer.
Fulfills Geography requirement for Environmental Studies; Fulfills Environmental Elective for Environmental Science
An examination of the various global regions and their interrelationships. Specific emphasis is placed upon the dynamic and evolutionary nature of these regions with specific focus on their economic, cultural, and physical characteristics. Notes: See Geography Program website for course rotation.
Fulfills Geography requirement for Environmental Studies; Fulfills Environmental Elective for Environmental Science
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a powerful technology that combines layers of data in a computerized environment. Students learn to create and analyze maps, and solve problems with spatial analysis. Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or ENVS 101 or BIOL 221 or permission of the instructor.
Fulfills Geospatial Methods requirement for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies; Counts Towards Micro-certificate in GIS
Mountains are some of the world’s most powerful landscapes—and some of its most misunderstood. From the ridge lines of the Appalachians to the icy summits of Everest, mountains have served as cultural borderlands, sites of conquest and adventure, sacred beings, and spaces of refuge. In this course, we explore how people imagine, use, and fight over mountain landscapes through case studies from Appalachia, the Andes, and global mountaineering. Throughout, we examine how mountain environments intersect with issues like climate change, resource extraction, conservation, tourism, and sovereignty. Students will gain new tools for understanding the complex relationships between humans and high-altitude worlds. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze mountain regions as complex social–ecological systems and understand how cultural meanings shape real environmental decisions.
Fulfills Environmental Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies; Counts Towards Micro-certificate in GIS
An introduction to the major geologic processes which shape the earth. Notes: A student may not receive credit for GEOL 110 and 101, 102, or 120. Offered in fall, spring and summer. Corequisites: GEOL 113.
Required for Environmental Science; Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Studies
A survey of earthquakes, volcanoes, and other catastrophic natural disasters with emphasis on causes, effects, and human adjustments. Notes: Offered as needed.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
A comprehensive overview of dinosaurs including their biology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and extinction, including a history discovery. With dinosaurs as focal point, this course serves as an introduction to science and the scientific method, specifically how hypotheses are formulated and tested.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
An investigation into the natural factors that influence soil formation and development in diverse environments and how soil characteristics influence overall sustainability and land use. Pre-requisite: HMXP 102 or HXCT 301.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
A survey of 3 billion years of life on Earth, with a focus on how biological, geological, and astronomical processes shaped living systems through time. Prerequisites: Any geology or biology class, or permission of instructor.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
The study of algebraic and trigonometric skills needed for single variable calculus. Topics include equations, graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometry. Notes: Lab Fee: $15. Credit will not be allowed for MATH 101 and MATH 104. Offered in fall, spring, and as needed in summer. Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on Mathematics placement exam or a C- or better in MATH 151.
Fulfills Math requirement for Environmental Science; Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Studies
A study of the algebraic skills needed to perform computations in applied settings. Topics include: equations, inequalities, functions, graphs, and financial mathematics. Notes: Lab Fee: $15. Offered fall, spring and summer. Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on Mathematics placement exam.
Fulfills Math requirement for Environmental Science; Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Studies
An introduction to the calculus of one variable and techniques used to solve problems in a variety of disciplines. The course will provide prerequisite material for a continued study of calculus and other mathematics. Topics will include: limits, continuity, the definition of the derivative, techniques of differentiation, graphing, maximum/minimum, related rate problems, definite integrals, the fundamental theorem of calculus, logarithmic functions, exponential functions, and other transcendental functions. Notes: Lab Fee: $15. Credit will not be allowed for MATH 105 and MATH 201. Offered in fall, spring and as needed in summer. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in MATH 101 or satisfactory score on Mathematics Department Placement Test. Corequisites: Math 104. A grade of C- or better in MATH 101, or a satisfactory score on the trigonometry portion of the Mathematics Department Placement Test, replaces this corequisite.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
A continuation of the calculus in one variable. Methods from calculus I, in addition to new techniques, will be applied to the study of integration, differential equations, sequences and series. Applications will be given in a variety of disciplines. The course will provide prerequisite material for a continued study in both mathematical topics and related scientific disciplines. Specific topics include: applications of integration, techniques of integration, improper integrals, sequences, series, power series, elementary differential equations, conic sections, and polar coordinates. Notes: Offered in fall, spring and as needed in summer. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in MATH 201.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Introduction to various numeration systems, including binary and hexadecimal; elementary set theory, logic and combinatorics; recursion, mathematical induction, elementary matrix operations and Boolean algebra. Notes: Offered in fall and spring. Prerequisites: MATH 101, MATH 151, or MATH 201; and CSCI 151 or CSCI 207
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Matrices and the solution of systems of linear equations; elementary theory of vector spaces and linear transformations; determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. Graphing calculators and/or Mathematica will be utilized. Notes: Offered in fall and spring. Prerequisites: MATH 201. Corequisites: MAED 200 (may be taken as a corequisite or prerequisite).
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Basic nutrition concepts applied to the needs of individuals, families and communities. Notes: Lab Fee: $10. Offered in fall, spring and summer.
Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
A calculus-based introductory physics course primarily intended for students in the physical and mathematical sciences. The course is three lecture hours, three lab hours, and one recitation hour.The course covers mechanics, wave motion, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics and some modern physics. Notes: A student may not receive credit for both PHYS 201 and 211 and for both PHYS 202 and 212. Offered in fall. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MATH 201.
Fulfills Physics requirement for Environmental Science; Fulfills Science/Math Elective for Environmental Studies
National governmental institutions and the political processes which shape public policy. Meets state requirements for course on the U.S. Constitution. Notes: Offered in fall, spring and summer.
Required for Environmental Studies
Study of descriptive and inferential statistics as they apply to the behavioral sciences. Notes: Offered in fall, spring and summer. Lab Fee: $40. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 with a grade of C- or higher, and General Education Quantitative Skills requirement.
Fulfills Quantitative Methods requirement for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
