Main Content
The BS in Environmental Science provides students with a strong science background with a focus on the environmental issues of the future. Through lecture, lab and field classes, you will get hands-on experience with biology, chemistry, the geosciences, physics and math. In this major, students learn how to draw connections between the disciplines needed to solve the complex environmental problems facing their local community and society at large. A Capstone experience gives you the opportunity to work with a scientist on your own undergraduate research project or to intern with a community group to gain practical experience.
These courses must have been completed within the past 5 years with a minimum grade of 2.0.
- College Biology (with lab) series: TBIOL 120, TBIOL 130 and TBIOL 140 OR equivalent
- College Chemistry (with lab) series: TCHEM 142, TCHEM 152 and TCHEM 162 OR equivalent
- Physical Geology (with lab): TGEOS 117 OR equivalent
- College Physics (with lab): TPHYS 121 OR equivalent
- Calculus (10 credits): TMATH 124 AND TMATH 125 OR TMATH 210
- Statistics: TMATH 110 OR equivalent
-
TESC 310 Environmental Research Seminar (3 credits; to be taken the first quarter of junior standing.)
-
TESC 200 Environmental Seminar (2 credits; to be taken with TESC 310)
-
TESC 410 Environmental Science Senior Seminar (3 credits; to be taken as close as possible to the last quarter of enrollment. This should also be taken concurrently with your Capstone project or after the completion of your Capstone.)
12 credits Environmental Science Core
Projects can be completed through the following courses involving internships, research or a combination of both. Your Capstone may span more than one quarter and earn 3–10 credits; *restricted to Global Honors students.
A minimum of one course from List A and a minimum of one course from List B; at least two courses must be laboratory (L) and one must be field (F). Two of these five courses must be at the 300-level or above.
-
Required:
-
One course from List A
-
One course from List B
-
Three more courses from list A, B, or C
-
-
List A: Conservation Biology and Ecology
-
List B: Physical Sciences
-
TCHEM 439 Analytical Chemistry with Environmental Applications (L or F)
-
TESC 210 Introductory Research Experience in the Sciences (L)
-
TGEOS 215 Meteorology (if 6 cr- L)
-
TGEOS 226 Pacific Northwest Field Trip (L, when taken with TGEOS 216)
-
TGEOS 241 Oceanography (P, if 6 cr- L)
-
TGEOS 243 Geography of the Physical World (if 6 cr- L)
-
TMATH 390 Probability and Statistics in Engineering and Science (B/P)
-
List C: Biomedical or Health Sciences
A minimum of one physical science (P) course, at least two laboratory (L) courses and one field (F) course. Two of these five courses must be at the 300-level or above.
-
Required:
-
One course from List D
-
One course from List E
-
One course from List F
-
One course from List D, List E or List F
-
List D: Biodiversity
-
TBIOL 301 General Microbiology (B, if 6 cr - L)
-
TBIOL 318 Biogeography (P/B, if 6 cr - L)
-
TBIOL 422 Evolution (B, if 6 cr - L)
-
-
List E: Ecological Interactions
-
List F: Methods and Applications
-
TCHEM 405 Biochemistry I (B/P, if 6 cr - L)
-
TCHEM 439 Analytical Chemistry with Environmental Applications (P/L or P/F)
-
TGEOS 241 Oceanography (P, if 6 cr- L)
In addition to the standard Environmental Science BS degree, students may complete a Geoscience option in the degree. These options allow students to obtain an interdisciplinary Environmental Science BS degree while demonstrating extra proficiency in the discipline.
Five courses to include at least one biological science (B) course, at least two laboratory (L) courses (TGEOS 337 and one more from List G or H) and one field (F) course. Some courses designated as labs on this list are not offered as labs every time; check the Registration Guide for credits.
In addition, the student's capstone experience (planned with the faculty advisor) must be focused on the geosciences.
-
Required:
-
Three courses from List G
-
One additional course from List G or List H
-
List G: Geoscience
-
List H: Additional Courses for Geoscience Option
ADVISORS
Ryan Branchini
Students with last names starting with A–L
Toni Woodman
Students with last names starting with M–Z
MAJOR COORDINATORS
DEPARTMENT
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Environmental Education and Outreach
- Environmental Policy and Planning
- Environmental/Project Management
- Field and Technical Positions
- Post-graduate Studies
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of 45 lower-division credits is required before declaring the major. To declare the Environmental Science major, students should reach out to the major academic advisor.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
For a BS in Environmental Science, students must complete 135 major credits, as well as the UWT general education and graduation requirements totaling a minimum of 180 credits.