Environmental Science (Interdisciplinary), BS

Liberal Studies Hours (42 hours)

Liberal Studies Program Requirements  

Major Requirements (71 hours)

A “C”  grade or higher is required in all courses in the major. Students must have a course plan of guided electives approved by their Environmental Science advisor prior to 45 credits from their intended graduation date.

The major requires 71 hours as follows:

Foundations in Environmental Science

• BIOL 141 - Principles of Biology II Credits: 4
• BIOL 241 - Introduction to Ecology and Evolution Credits: 4
• CHEM 139 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
• CHEM 140 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
• ES 150 - Introduction and Approaches to Environmental Science Credits: 4
• ES 250 - Seminal Readings in Environmental Sciences Credits: 1
• ES 350 - Seminar in Energy, Economics, and the Environment Credits: 1
• ES 495 - Senior Research Seminar in Environmental Science Credits: 3
• GEOL 150 - Methods in Geology Credits: 4
• GEOG 221 - Introduction to Geospatial Analysis Credits: 3
• (  MATH 146 - Precalculus II Credits: 4

• or

• MATH 153 - Calculus I Credits: 4 )

Advanced Study in the Environmental Sciences

Student must obtain approval of a degree plan from the ES committee prior to pursuing Advanced Study courses. Advanced Study courses must not duplicate Foundations courses.

C. Guided Electives

Guided elective courses may not duplicate other degree requirements. Choose 16 hours of 300-400-level courses that meet any of the following three options:

1. Any courses listed in the Foundations or in Advanced Study categories not used to fulfill the category requirement can be used as guided electives:
2. Any 300-or-higher courses approved by your advisor can be used as guided electives
3. Any course from the list below can be used as guided electives:

• BIOL 304 - General Ecology Credits: 3
• BIOL 438 - Ecological Restoration Credits: 3
• BIOL 441 - Conservation Biology Credits: 3
• CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis I Credits: 4
• CHEM 435 - Instrumental Analysis II Credits: 3
• CHEM 461 - Environmental Chemistry Credits: 3
• COMM 313 - Conflict Resolution Credits: 3
• ENVH 312 - Solid and Hazardous Materials Management Credits: 3
• ES 480 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3, R6
• ES 493 - Topics in Environmental Science Credits: (1-3, R6)
• GEOG 324 - Introduction to Remote Sensing Credits: 4
• GEOL 405 - Hydrogeology Credits: 4
• GEOL 410 - Fluvial Geomorphology Credits: 3
• GEOL 423 - Contaminated Rivers: Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Credits: 3
• GEOL 455 - Wetlands Credits: 3
• MATH 370 - Probability and Statistics I Credits: 3
• MATH 375 - Statistical Methods II Credits: 3
• NRM 320 - Soil Conservation Credits: 3
• NRM 330 - Introduction to Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Credits: 3
• NRM 344 - Applied Geographic Information Systems Credits: 4
• NRM 351 - Forest Ecology Credits: 3
• NRM 371 - Landscape Ecology Credits: 3
• NRM 444 - Applied Geographic Information Systems Credits: 4
• NRM 460 - Watershed Management Credits: 3
• SOC 385 - Methods of Social Research Credits: 3
• PRM 321 - Interpretation and Environmental Education Credits: 3
• ENVH 311 - Water Quality Control Laboratory Credits: 1

D. General Electives Hours (7-19 hours)

General electives (7-19 hours, depending on the number of hours in the major that double count for Liberal Studies) are required to complete the program.

To satisfy general university degree requirements, students must take at least 30 hours at the junior-senior level at WCU.

Visit the department’s website at http://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/cas/casdepts/gnr/esmht/ to view the eight-semester curriculum guide.