Environmental Science Major

Heidelberg’s multidisciplinary Environmental Science major provides a strong background in the traditional sciences with track options in Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Water Resources.

Core and Allied Coursework

All Environmental Science majors complete a core program consisting of:

  • ENS 099 – Environmental Science Colloquium Series (taken for 6 consecutive semesters, beginning sophomore year) 
  • ENS 101 – Introduction to Environmental Science and 
    ENS 101L – Environmental Science Laboratory 
  • ENS 300 – Issues in Environmental Science
  • ENS 392 – Training in Environmental Science 
  • ENS 370 – Internship in Environmental Science 
    (at least 3 semester hours) or ENS 393 – Research Experience
  • ENS 422 – Environmental Science Seminar
 

In addition, all majors must complete the following allied courses in other disciplines:

  •  CHM 111 and CHM 112 – General Chemistry and Lab
  •  PHY 101 – General Physics and Lab
  •  BIO 124 – Biology II and Lab
  •  GEO 101 and GEO 101L – Physical Geology and Lab
  •  MTH 115 – Quantitative Reasoning or 
     MTH 222 – Calculus I
  •  MTH 210 – Elementary Statistics
 

Biology Track

 
In addition to the core courses above, students pursuing the Biology Track must take:
  • BIO 123 – Biology I
  • BIO 213 – Field Biology
  • BIO 222 – Cell and Molecular Biology
  • BIO 334 – Ecology
  • ENS 323 – Limnology
 

Chemistry Track

 
In addition to the core courses above, students pursuing the Chemistry Track must take:
  • ENS 205 – Environmental Sampling and Analysis
  • CHM 201 – Organic Chemistry
  • CHM 305 – Quantitative Analysis
  • CHM 404 – Instrumental Analysis
  • Elective

 

Geology Track 

In addition to the core courses above, students pursuing the Geology Track must take:
  • GEO 201 – Environmental Geology
  • GEO 305 and GEO 306 – Regional Field Geology
  • GEO 309 – Geomorphology
  • GEO 355 – Sedimentology and Geochemistry
  • Elective

 

Water Resources Track

 
In addition to the core courses above, students pursuing the Water Resources Track must take:
  • ENS 205 – Environmental Sampling and Analysis
  • ENS 323 – Limnology
  • BIO 324 – Water Pollution Biology
  • GEO 352 – Hydrology
  • Elective

 

Special Notes

  • All students must complete the General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees that are described in the college catalog. Each degree requires students to take courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, cultures and mathematics. These courses are designed to provide a broad liberal arts background and skills specific to the particular degree program.
  • All Environmental Science majors must complete the required coursework for one of the four tracks described above.
  • Environmental Science majors may meet their elective hour requirements within the track by choosing any additional course from a different track, electing a course from the following list: PHY 102, ENS 361, BIO 325, BIO 366, ECO 344, or by obtaining approval from the Environmental Science committee for a different but related course (e.g., special topics course).
  • Students majoring in Environmental Science with a Biology track may not also major in Biology.
  • No grade of D may be waived for any required course above the 100 level that is applied toward the Environmental Science major.