Environmental Science Minor
Divisional Home: Division I
Minor Advisor(s): Suzanne Birner
The Environmental Science (ENV) minor is an interdisciplinary minor that integrates physical and biological sciences to prepare students for the study of environmental systems. Core courses in geology, chemistry, and biology provide a broad basis for understanding the interconnectivity of Earth systems, while three distribution courses allow a student to gain a deeper knowledge of science related to environmental change. The minor is ideal for students in agriculture or natural science who wish to gain an understanding of the Earth environment in pursuit of a career in environmental stewardship or graduate study in environmental science.
Degree Requirements
A minor in Environmental Science consists of six (6) course credits. No more than three (3) course credits can count both toward the ENV minor and a student’s major OR another minor
Required Core Courses
| GEO 101 | Intro Geology: Way Earth Works | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 110 | Modern Biology | 1 Course Credit |
| or | |
| CHM 131 | Accelerated General Chemistry | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 310 | Ecology (SENS) | 1 Course Credit |
Required Distribution Courses
Three (3) additional courses chosen from the following list
| ANR 130 | Plant Science | 1 Course Credit |
| ANR 240 | Soil Science | 1 Course Credit |
| ANR 342 | Soil & Water Conservation | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 344 | Dendrology & Forest Ecology | 1 Course Credit |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 1 Course Credit |
| CHM 311 | Analytical Chemistry | 1 Course Credit |
| GEO 200 | Mineralogy | 1 Course Credit |
| GEO 240/SENS 240 | Appal Geo Resources (SENS) | 1 Course Credit |
| GEO 320 | Intro-Geographic Info Sys SENS | 1 Course Credit |
| Other GEO courses as offered | |
Admission to the Minor – Completion of GEO 101 with a C or better.
Course Sequencing Considerations – It is recommended that students take GEO 101 and either BIO 110 or CHM 131 by the end of their sophomore year in order to complete the requirements of the minor within four years.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Minor – Students must complete the minor with a C average or better for the six courses in the minor.
Other Considerations or Recommendation – Alternative courses in ANR, BIO, CHM, GEO and PHY may be applied towards the Distribution requirement with permission of the Environmental Science Advisors.