Earth and Environmental Sciences, BS (EARTHENVS-BS)

CIP Code: 400601

Program Description

The Environmental Sciences Concentration focuses on the interactions of physical and biological processes. Students become confident in using both laboratory and field techniques. They also develop the ability to discuss environmental issues and policies with scientific and lay audiences. Courses address complex environmental issues, such as water quality and the effects of climate change. Many professional environmental scientists work to protect natural resources, including water and the environment.

Admission Requirements

All students having a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are accepted to this program.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Earth & Environmental Sciences B.S. and B.A. degree programs develop many skills:

solving problems using critical thinking
combining a range of sciences (chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics) in creatively solving practical problems
collaborating to complete projects with others
interpreting various types of information, including numbers, graphs, and text
presenting insights and information in writing and speaking

Career Opportunities

The Earth & Environmental Sciences B.S. and B.A. degree programs are designed for students planning careers in environmental consulting or resource exploration. Other career opportunities include public service within local, state, or federal regulatory agencies (EPA, Ohio EPA, county Departments of Health). They are also a choice for students planning graduate study in environmental sciences.

For More information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 39 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours

Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.

Required:

MTH 2240 - Applied Calculus Credit Hour(s): 4 OR
MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 8 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Required:

BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Courses: 8 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 8 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Required:

EES 2510 - Earth Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
MTH 2310 - Calculus II Credit Hour(s): 4 OR
STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

· One Global Inquiry (GI) course

· Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

· One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 13 Credit Hours

EES 3250 - Climate Change Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4280 - Earth and Environmental Sciences Colloquium Credit Hour(s): .5 (Taken twice)
EES 4330 - Global Biogeochemical Cycles Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
EES 4510 - Effective Scientific Communication Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
EES 4680 - Environmental Law for Scientists Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 34 Credit Hours

Choose 6 hours from the following:
EES 4290 - Remote Sensing of Earth Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4300 - Environmental Applications of Geographic Information Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 4310 - Quality Assurance of Environmental Analysis Credit Hour(s): .5
EES 4340 - Mapping Methods Credit Hour(s): 2
EES 4360 - Environmental Field Techniques Credit Hour(s): 2
Complete 28 hours of electives from the following or other courses by approval:
BIO 4070 - Wetlands Biology Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 4110 - The Aquatic Environment Credit Hour(s): 5 (IW)
BIO 4730 - Marine Biology Credit Hour(s): 5
CS 1160 - Introduction to Computer Programming Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 3120 - Earth Materials Credit Hour(s): 4
EES 4320 - Environmental Microbiology Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4430 - Analysis and Prediction of Complex Natural and Human Systems Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4560 - Groundwater Contamination Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4570 - Site Remediation and Management Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4590 - Advanced Aquatic Geochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3
EES 4780 - Environmental Sciences Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
EES 4960 - Senior Thesis Research Credit Hour(s): .5 to 5 (IW)

IV. Related Course Requirements: 29 Credit Hours

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3120 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3120L - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
BIO 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4 (IW)
BIO 2310L - Evolution and Ecology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1
OR
PHY 2400 - General Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 2400L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 2410 - General Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 2410L - General Physics II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1

V. General Electives: 5 Credit hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and are subject to change. These guides are a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.