Major in Environmental Science
Environmental science is a joint major offered by the Departments of Chemistry and Biology. This major recognizes the importance of environmental problems in the contemporary world and the expansion of career opportunities in this area.
Environmental careers fall into three broad categories: environmental protection, natural resource management, and planning/communication. The Simmons environmental science major is most closely associated with the environmental protection area. This field depends particularly on the application of science to problems such as air quality, water quality, solid waste, hazardous waste, and habitat destruction. Persons pursuing careers in environmental protection need strong preparation in the basic sciences combined with the broad outlook that distinguishes sustainable development from narrowly focused projects that ignore environmental impact.
The environmental science major incorporates strong preparation in basic sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, statistics); four science courses with specific emphasis on environmental problems (BIOL 245, BIOL 333, CHEM 327, CHEM 550); two economics courses, which explore the relationships between market forces and industrial behavior; and the option of an internship in an environmental science laboratory. A formal presentation is required and can be fulfilled by CHEM 390 Chemistry Seminar or an equivalent experience in a 300-level biology course.
First Year
Note: Students may take either CHEM 111 or CHEM 113 to fulfill the requirements.
| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 5 Courses | ||
| General Biology | BIOL-113 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Principles of Zoology | BIOL-218 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Intro. Chemistry: Inorganic | CHEM-111 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Intro. Chemistry: Organic | CHEM-112 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Principles of Chemistry | CHEM-113 | 4.00 | Lecture |
* Students are also required to take ENV 201 through the COF. Contact the Biology Department for more information.
Sophomore Year
Note: Students may take either MATH 118 or MATH 238 to fulfill the requirements.
| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 6 Courses | ||
| Princ. of Ecology | BIOL-245 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Quantitative Analysis | CHEM-226 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Introductory Statistics | MATH-118 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Applied Statistical Models | MATH-238 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Intro Physics I | PHYS-110 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Intro Physics II | PHYS-111 | 4.00 | Lecture |
* Students are also required to take ENV 202 through the COF. Contact the Biology Department for more information.
Junior Year
| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 3 Courses | ||
| Plant Biology | BIOL-340 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Energy & Global Warming | CHEM-327 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Prin. of Microeconomics | ECON-100 | 4.00 | Lecture |
* Students are also required to take ENV 203 & CHEM 550 through the COF. Contact the Biology Department for more information.
Senior Year
Note: Students may take either ECON 239 or ECON 247 to fulfill the requirements.
| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 4 Courses | ||
| Marine Biology | BIOL-333 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Environmental Ethics | PHIL-139 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Gov't Regulation of Industry | ECON-239 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Environmental Economics | ECON-247 | 4.00 | Lecture |