Overview
The B.S. degree in Ecosystem Science and Policy is recommended for students intending to attend graduate or professional schools in pursuit of research or academic careers (including secondary or higher education). It is also suitable for those preparing for technical careers in government and private industries concerned with the environment. Students pursuing the B.S. may choose to have the major fulfill either the STEM or People & Society cognate; they will need to complete the other cognate plus the Arts & Humanities cognate. Students with a second major in another school or college should consult their advisors regarding requirements for that major and school or college. Any course used to fulfill one ECS requirement cannot be used to fulfill another; however, courses other than the ECS core can be used to fulfill requirements for a cognate, minor, or second major. Students whose primary college is Arts & Sciences are required to complete four courses designated as "Writing Intensive" (also known as "W") courses. Those seeking a B.S. degree in ECS must complete at least two, but as many as four, ECS courses designated as "W". These include ECS 113, ECS 301, ECS 302, ECS 402, and ECS 403. Up to two "W" courses may be selected from other departments. Students whose primary degree is in another school or college should follow its writing requirements.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECS Core Courses | ||
| ECS 111 | Introduction to the Earth's Ecosystem | 3 |
| ECS 112 | Field Problems in Ecosystem Science and Policy | 2 |
| or ECS 114 | Social research methods for Ecosystem Science and Policy | |
| ECS 113 | Introduction to Environmental Policy | 3 |
| ECS 201 | Seminar Series in Contemporary Environmental Issues I | 1 |
| or ECS 202 | Seminar Series in Contemporary Environmental Issues II | |
| ECS 232 | Ecological Principles and Environmental Applications | 3 |
| or BIL 330 | Ecology | |
| ECS 301 | Tools for Environmental Decision-Making: The Quantitative Perspective | 3 |
| ECS 302 | Perspectives on Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
| ECS 401 | Internship | 3 |
| or ECS 402 | Thesis | |
| ECS 403 | Interdisciplinary Approaches | 3 |
| 6 credits of ECS electives (300-level or higher) | 6 | |
| Science Core Courses | ||
| ECS 312 | Environment Assessment | 3 |
| or CET 240 | Environmental Quality Control | |
| or CET 340 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | |
| A science course at the 110 level or above with lab (BIL, GSC, MSC, PHY) 1 | 4 | |
| Mathematics Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 8-9 | |
| Calculus I for Engineers and Calculus II | ||
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
| Select one of the following Statistics courses: | 3 | |
| Environmental Statistics | ||
| Environmental Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B | ||
| Social Science Core Courses | ||
| Geographic Information Systems I (Choose one social science skills course) | ||
| 3-CR Environmentally related social science course at 101-level or higher 2 | 3 | |
| 6-CR Environmentally related social science course at 300-level or higher 2 | 6 | |
| Complete a STEM minor 3 | 12-18 | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| Calculus I for Engineers (fulfilled through the major) | ||
or MTH 161 | Calculus I | |
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People & Society Cognate (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the minor) | ||
| Additional Required Courses | ||
| Language Courses | 3 | |
| Electives/Additional minor | 33 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
BIL, CHM, CSC, MIC, NEU, PHY, GSC, MSC, CAE, or approved
- 2
APY, ARC, ECO, ECS, GEG, HIS, INS, LAS, MAF, POL, PSY, SOC, EPS, COM, BPH, or approved
- 3
See list of current relative minors maintained by the program director.
Suggested Plan of Study - with STEM Minor
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ECS 111 | Introduction to the Earth's Ecosystem | 3 |
| MTH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| Elective or STEM minor course | 3 | |
| Language Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 112 | Field Problems in Ecosystem Science and Policy | 2 |
| ECS 113 | Introduction to Environmental Policy | 3 |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| WRS 106, 107, or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing II or First-Year Writing II: STEM or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Elective or STEM minor course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECS 201 | Seminar Series in Contemporary Environmental Issues I | 1 |
| ECS 232 | Ecological Principles and Environmental Applications | 3 |
| Env. related social science 101+ | 3 | |
| Elective or STEM minor course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 312 | Environment Assessment | 3 |
| ECS 204 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| Elective or STEM minor course | 3 | |
| Elective or STEM minor course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECS 302 | Perspectives on Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
| GEG 310 | Geographic Information Systems I | 3 |
| Env. related social science course 300+ | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective or 2nd minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 301 | Tools for Environmental Decision-Making: The Quantitative Perspective | 3 |
| Elective or STEM minor course | 3 | |
| ECS elective 300-level | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate #1 | 3 | |
| Env. related social science course 300+ | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECS 401 | Internship | 3 |
| ECS Elective 300 level or higher | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate #2 | 3 | |
| Elective or 2nd minor | 3 | |
| Elective or 2nd minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 403 | Interdisciplinary Approaches | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate #3 | 3 | |
| Science course + lab | 4 | |
| Elective or 2nd minor | 3 | |
| Elective or 2nd minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Suggested Plan of Study - with Second STEM Major
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ECS 111 | Introduction to the Earth's Ecosystem | 3 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| MTH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Second major course + lab | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 112 | Field Problems in Ecosystem Science and Policy | 2 |
| ECS 113 | Introduction to Environmental Policy | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Second Major Course + Lab | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECS 201 | Seminar Series in Contemporary Environmental Issues I | 1 |
| ECS 232 | Ecological Principles and Environmental Applications | 3 |
| Science course and lab for ECS science core | 4 | |
| Env. related social science 101+ | 3 | |
| Language course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 312 | Environment Assessment | 3 |
| ECS 204 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
| Second Major Course | 3 | |
| Env. related social science course 300+ | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECS 302 | Perspectives on Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
| GEG 310 | Geographic Information Systems I | 3 |
| Env. related social science 300+ | 3 | |
| Second Major Course + Lab | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 301 | Tools for Environmental Decision-Making: The Quantitative Perspective | 3 |
| Second Major Course | 3 | |
| ECS Elective 300 level or higher | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate #1 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECS 401 | Internship | 3 |
| Second Major Course | 3 | |
| Second Major Course | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate #2 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECS 403 | Interdisciplinary Approaches | 3 |
| Second Major Course | 3 | |
| Second Major Course | 3 | |
| ECS Elective 300 level or higher | 3 | |
| Arts & Humanities cognate #3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Mission
The mission of the Ecosystem Science and Policy (ECS) program is to educate the next generation of environmental leaders. Future leaders need to find ways to meet human demands, while protecting and restoring the natural environment that sustains us. As science increasingly demonstrates the complex interconnectedness of all the elements of natural systems, environmental decisions must take into account potential ecosystem-wide effects to be truly effective. Environmental scientists and nonscientist policy-makers, managers, and planners must communicate with each other in new and better ways as development and environmental policy decisions are made. The program offers two degrees, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts.
Goals
The Bachelor of Science degree prepares students with knowledge in a broad background of environmental issues from a variety of perspectives, along with in-depth education in an additional field. Students earning a Bachelor of Science degree in ECS are also required to complete a minor in a STEM field (e.g., ATM, BIL, BPH, CHM, GSC, PHY or other approved department). Joint programs with engineering are also available.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Scientific Knowledge: Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem science.
- Policy Knowledge: Students will demonstrate an ability to evaluate the role of science and technology in society and demonstrate understanding of factors involved in the formulation and implementation of environmental policy.
- Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate communication skills to convey information, orally and in writing, to both scientific and lay audiences.
