Environmental Sciences

Effective management of land and water resources requires individuals having a solid fundamental understanding of the processes and relationships in land systems, combined with applications of environmental science and applied ecology. The Environmental Sciences curricula are designed to provide this classroom, laboratory, and field training. Graduates of these degree programs will: (i) possess a broad knowledge of biological, physical, and chemical processes important across landscapes, (ii) receive training in applied ecology, soil and water science, and land resources analysis, (iii) be capable of critical analysis of land resource problems, and (iv) be familiar with teamwork required to develop and implement effective land management strategies. They will be the scientists most capable of making significant advances and contributions in the 21^st century!

The Environmental Sciences degree programs are administered by the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences.

Environmental Biology Option

This option is intended to train students who are interested in understanding the ecology of organisms in natural environments, and/or in understanding how organisms may be used to clean up environments that have been disturbed by human activities. The curriculum is based on the philosophy that to be able to successfully predict the distribution and behavior of organisms in natural and disturbed environments, it is necessary to understand fundamental principles of evolution, ecology, and physiology. By understanding all the forces that shaped the evolution of natural environments, students will have a better appreciation of how entire systems really function. The curriculum launches from a base in environmental science which includes a broad knowledge of organisms (including plants, animals, and microorganisms) and the physical and chemical characteristics of natural environments. A special feature of this option is that it emphasizes cross-training between the traditional disciplines of Biology and Microbiology. Students trained in Biology or Microbiology normally focus on either large or small organisms and on human biology and disease. But, even biologists trained as ecologists have a poor understanding of microorganisms, despite the fact that they appreciate the great importance of microorganisms in most natural environments. Similarly, most microbiologists do not understand the diversity of large organisms and are never exposed to natural principles of ecology and evolution. In the LRES Environmental Biology curriculum, students will develop a knowledge of the diversity of all organisms that live and function together in nature. Furthermore, this knowledge will be based on natural principles of ecology and evolution that govern how organisms came to interact with themselves and with the physical and chemical features of environments. Students will learn how modern technologies like molecular biology are changing our view of microbial diversity and ecology, as well as plant and animal population biology.  In later stages of the curriculum, students may select from a wide array of upper division courses in environmental microbiology, natural ecosystems, applied ecology, and policy and planning that enable them to specialize in areas best-suited to their own career vision.

Career opportunities: Graduate training that leads to independent research in basic and applied ecology, environmental biology, and environmental microbiology. Environmental industries and consulting firms that attempt to solve real problems associated with human-disturbed environments. Biotechnology companies that attempt to exploit biological diversity for the benefit of humans. Government jobs in environmental management, and policy making.

Soil and Water Science Option

The Soil and Water Science Option provides students with fundamental training in basic biological, chemical, and physical sciences and advanced training in soil and water science. Students are encouraged (through choice elective blocks) to emphasize advanced training necessary to understand processes central to managed and natural landscapes, as well as to develop appreciation for practical applications in land resource management and pollutant fate and transport.

Water is perhaps the most unique substance on earth, having a multitude of seemingly anomalous properties, and literally forms the basis for life as we know it. Soils form the interface between atmospheric and geologic/groundwater systems. The multitude of physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in the three-phase soil system (air, water, and solids) are critical to sustainability of natural and managed ecosystems. The Soil and Water Science Option provides students with advanced training in the chemical, physical, and biological sciences, and integration of these fundamentals in applications related to agricultural management, pollution treatment and prevention, land rehabilitation, and bioremediation. The Environmental Sciences major, Soil and Water Science Option, is designed to provide our students this training. Students take basic science and supporting courses including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, economics, and oral and written communication as a foundation for more specialized training. Students gain experience in modern analytical measurement, and monitoring techniques used in land and water sciences and management.

Career opportunities: Advanced graduate training to prepare for research and management positions in soil science, hydrology, water quality, bioremediation, and related areas. Environmental industries and consulting firms that work on problems associated with water quality and contaminant transport, fate of chemicals in the environment, and water resource management. Local, state, or national government positions in environmental science, management and policy.

Curricula in Environmental Sciences

• Environmental Biology Option
• Soil & Water Science Option
• Soil Science Minor (Non-Teaching)

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OPTION

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; at least 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

SOIL AND WATER SCIENCE OPTION

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; at least42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

SOIL SCIENCE MINOR (NON-TEACHING)