2015-2016 University Catalog

Environmental Science, BS

Banner Code: SC-BS-EVSC

This program of study is offered by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy in the College of Science .

The Environmental Science, BS provides students with rigorous training in the fundamental science of the environment, and the application of the key scientific principles to the analysis of environmental processes and problems and to the development of practical responses to those problems. The program covers ecological systems, environmental policy and the fundamental techniques of environmental science and engineering, protection and improvement of environmental quality, and public and private decision-making processes. Graduates of the program are prepared to undertake careers in a variety of environmental science fields, and are also qualified to pursue advanced scientific/professional education.

Students select a concentration in conservation, ecological science, environmental health, human and ecosystem response to climate change, or marine, estuarine and freshwater ecology. Through the coursework below, environmental science majors satisfy the Mason Core requirements in ‘Natural Science’, ‘Quantitative Reasoning’, and ‘Synthesis’. Students can fulfill the writing intensive requirement for this major by taking EVPP 337 .

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including the Mason Core .

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see the Academic Policies section of the catalog.

This has been designated a Green Leaf program. For further information, please visit Green Leaf Programs and Courses .

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements

Environmental Science (38-39 credits)

EVPP 210 - Environmental Biology: Molecules and Cells Credits: 4
EVPP 301 - Environmental Science: Biological Diversity and Ecosystems Credits: 4
EVPP 302 - Environmental Science: Biomes and Human Dimensions Credits: 4
EVPP 305 - Environmental Microbiology Essentials Credits: 3
EVPP 306 - Environmental Microbiology Essentials Laboratory Credits: 1
EVPP 337 - Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries Credits: 3
EVPP 361 - Introduction to Environmental Policy Credits: 3
EVPP 377 - Applied Ecology Credits: 3
EVPP 430 - Fundamentals of Environmental Geographic Information Systems Credits: 3
BIOL 214 - Biostatistics for Biology Majors Credits: 4
And one of the following three courses:
EVPP 336 - Human Dimensions of the Environment Credits: 3
EVPP 338 - Economics of Environmental Policy Credits: 3
EVPP 362 - Intermediate Environmental Policy Credits: 3
And one of the following four courses (all but EVPP 378 are Mason Core: Synthesis courses):
EVPP 335 - People, Plants, and Culture Credits: 3
EVPP 378 - RS: Ecological Sustainability Credits: 4
EVPP 480 - Sustainability in Action Credits: 4
CONS 490 - RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies Credits: 3 **
** These courses are only open to students attending the Smithsonian-Mason Semester .

Chemistry (8 credits)

Mason Core: Natural Science courses:

CHEM 211 - General Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM 212 - General Chemistry Credits: 4

Mathematics (7-8 credits)

Choose 2 from the following:

MATH 111 - Linear Mathematical Modeling Credits: 3 (Mason Core: Quantitative Reasoning course)
MATH 113 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Credits: 4 (Mason Core: Quantitative Reasoning course)
MATH 114 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Credits: 4

Geology (4 credits)

GEOL 102 - Introductory Geology II Credits: 4 (Mason Core: Natural Science course)

Information Technology (3 credits)

CDS 130 - Computing for Scientists Credits: 3 (Mason Core: Information Technology course)

Concentrations (21 credits)

Students select a concentration in conservation, ecological science, environmental health, human and ecosystem response to climate change, or marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecology. Students take 21 credits of coursework as indicated below for the selected concentration.

▲ Concentration in Conservation (CNSV)

Students must take at least 21 credits from the list below. CONS courses (except CONS 498 and CONS 499 ) are offered exclusively through the Smithsonian-Mason Semester .

EVPP 318 - Conservation Biology Credits: 3
EVPP 378 - RS: Ecological Sustainability Credits: 4
EVPP 395 - Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-3 *
EVPP 396 - Directed Topic in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-4 *
EVPP 419 - Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 420 - Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation Field Course Credits: 1
EVPP 421 - Marine Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 427 - Disease Ecology and Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 440 - Field Environmental Science Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 490 - Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 494 - Internship Credits: 1-3 *
BIOL 310 - Biodiversity Credits: 3
BIOL 435 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 0-4 *
CONS 320 - Conservation in Practice Credits: 3 **
CONS 401 - Conservation Theory Credits: 3 **
CONS 402 - Applied Conservation Credits: 4 **
CONS 403 - Ecology and Conservation Theory Credits: 3 **
CONS 404 - Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Credits: 4 **
CONS 410 - Human Dimensions in Conservation Credits: 3 **
CONS 411 - Science Communication for Conservation Credits: 3 **
CONS 420 - Human-Wildlife Conflict Credits: 3 **
CONS 490 - RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies Credits: 3 ** (Mason Core: Synthesis course)
CONS 491 - RS: Comprehensive Conservation Planning Credits: 3 **
CONS 497 - Special Topics in Conservation Credits: 1-3 **
CONS 498 - Internship Credits: 1-3
CONS 499 - Independent Study/Research Credits: 1-3
GGS 303 - Conservation of Resources and Environment Credits: 3
GGS 307 - Sustainable Development Credits: 3
NCLC 311 - The Mysteries of Migration: Consequences for Conservation Credits: 6
PRLS 300 - People with Nature Credits: 3
PRLS 402 - Human Behavior in Natural Environments Credits: 3
Additional courses approved by the program coordinator
* In a relevant topic

** Only offered through the Smithsonian-Mason Semester

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Ecological Science (ECSI)

Students must take 21 credits from the following:

EVPP 309 - Introduction to Oceanography Credits: 3
EVPP 350 - Freshwater Ecosystems Credits: 4
EVPP 355 - Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration Credits: 4
EVPP 378 - RS: Ecological Sustainability Credits: 4
EVPP 395 - Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-3 *
EVPP 396 - Directed Topic in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-4 *
EVPP 408 - Mushrooms, Molds and Society Credits: 3
EVPP 427 - Disease Ecology and Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 440 - Field Environmental Science Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 449 - Marine Ecology Credits: 3
EVPP 490 - Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 494 - Internship Credits: 1-3 *
BIOL 310 - Biodiversity Credits: 3
BIOL 345 - Plant Ecology Credits: 4
BIOL 435 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 0-4 *
BIOL 459 - Fungi and Ecosystems Credits: 3
GEOL 305 - Environmental Geology Credits: 3
GEOL 306 - Soil Science Credits: 3
GGS 307 - Sustainable Development Credits: 3
Additional courses approved by the program coordinator

* In a relevant topic

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Environmental Health (EVHL)

Required courses:

EVPP 427 - Disease Ecology and Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 445 - Principles of Environmental Toxicology Credits: 3
And 15 credits from the following:
EVPP 395 - Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-3 *
EVPP 396 - Directed Topic in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-4 *
EVPP 409 - Medical Mycology Credits: 3
EVPP 440 - Field Environmental Science Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 490 - Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 494 - Internship Credits: 1-3 *
EVPP 515 - Molecular Environmental Biology I Credits: 3
BIOL 305 - Biology of Microorganisms Credits: 3 and BIOL 306 - Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOL 402 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology Credits: 3
BIOL 404 - Medical Microbiology Credits: 3
BIOL 465 - Histology Credits: 4
CHEM 505 - Hazardous Materials Waste Management Credits: 1-3
CEIE 555 - Principles of Environmental Engineering Credits: 3
GCH 205 - Global Health Credits: 3 (Mason Core: Global Understanding course)
GCH 360 - Health and Environment Credits: 3
GCH 560 - Environmental Health Credits: 3
GGS 302 - Global Environmental Hazards Credits: 3
GGS 304 - Populations Dimensions of Global Change Credits: 3
GGS 307 - Sustainable Development Credits: 3
GGS 319 - Air Pollution Credits: 3
GGS 322 - Issues in Global Change Credits: 3
Additional courses approved by the program coordinator

* In a relevant topic

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Human and Ecosystem Response to Climate Change (HERC)

Required courses:

EVPP 336 - Human Dimensions of the Environment Credits: 3
And 18 credits chosen from the following:
EVPP 309 - Introduction to Oceanography Credits: 3
EVPP 355 - Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration Credits: 4
EVPP 378 - RS: Ecological Sustainability Credits: 4
EVPP 395 - Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-3 *
EVPP 396 - Directed Topic in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-4 *
EVPP 427 - Disease Ecology and Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 432 - Energy Policy Credits: 3
EVPP 436 - The Human Dimensions of Global Climate Change Credits: 3
EVPP 440 - Field Environmental Science Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 490 - Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 494 - Internship Credits: 1-3 *
CLIM 101 - Global Warming: Weather, Climate, and Society Credits: 3 (Mason Core: Natural Science course)
CLIM 111 - Introduction to the Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science Credits: 3 (Mason Core: Natural Science course)
CLIM 112 - Introduction to the Fundamentals of Atmospheric Science Lab Credits: 1 (Mason Core: Natural Science course)
CLIM 312 - Physical Climatology Credits: 3
CLIM 314 - Severe and Extreme Weather Credits: 3
CLIM 319 - Air Pollution Credits: 3
CLIM 412 - Physical Oceanography Credits: 3
CLIM 438 - Atmospheric Chemistry Credits: 3
GEOL 309 - Introduction to Oceanography Credits: 3
GGS 121 - Dynamic Atmosphere and Hydrosphere Credits: 4 (Mason Core: Natural Science course)
GGS 302 - Global Environmental Hazards Credits: 3
GGS 304 - Populations Dimensions of Global Change Credits: 3
GGS 307 - Sustainable Development Credits: 3
GGS 309 - Meteorology and Climate Credits: 3
GGS 312 - Physical Climatology Credits: 3
GGS 314 - Severe and Extreme Weather Credits: 3
GGS 319 - Air Pollution Credits: 3
GGS 321 - Biogeography: Space, Time and Life Credits: 3
GGS 322 - Issues in Global Change Credits: 3
GGS 353 - Observations of the Earth and its Climate Credits: 3
GGS 354 - Data Analysis and Global Change Detection Techniques Credits: 3
GGS 456 - Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation Credits: 3
Additional courses approved by the program coordinator

* In a relevant topic

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Ecology (MEFC)

Required courses:

EVPP 309 - Introduction to Oceanography Credits: 3
EVPP 350 - Freshwater Ecosystems Credits: 4
EVPP 421 - Marine Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 449 - Marine Ecology Credits: 3
And at least 8 credits chosen from the following:
EVPP 318 - Conservation Biology Credits: 3
EVPP 363 - Coastal Morphology and Processes Credits: 4
EVPP 380 - Wetlands of the World Credits: 4
EVPP 395 - Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-3 *
EVPP 396 - Directed Topic in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 1-4 *
EVPP 419 - Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 420 - Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation Field Course Credits: 1
EVPP 427 - Disease Ecology and Conservation Credits: 3
EVPP 440 - Field Environmental Science Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 490 - Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy Credits: 0-4 *
EVPP 494 - Internship Credits: 1-3 *
BIOL 331 - Invertebrate Zoology Credits: 4
BIOL 480 - The Diversity of Fishes Credits: 3
GEOL 364 - Marine Geology Credits: 3
GEOL 458 - Chemical Oceanography Credits: 3
GGS 307 - Sustainable Development Credits: 3
CLIM 412 - Physical Oceanography Credits: 3
NCLC 318 - Exploring Virginia's Watersheds Credits: 4
Additional courses approved by the program coordinator

* In a relevant topic

Concentration Total: 21 credits

Mason Core and Elective Credits (37-39 credits)

In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires an additional 37-39 credits, which may be applied towards any remaining Mason Core requirements (outlined below), requirements for bachelor’s degrees , and elective courses. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.

Mason Core

Please note that some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above.

Expand each item below for a link to specific course lists for each category:

Foundation Requirements (15-19 credits)

Core Requirements (22 credits)

Synthesis/Capstone Requirement (minimum 3 credits)

Mason Core USYN - Synthesis/Capstone Credits: minimum 3

Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits

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Environmental Science, BS

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements

Environmental Science (38-39 credits)

Chemistry (8 credits)

Mathematics (7-8 credits)

Geology (4 credits)

Information Technology (3 credits)

Concentrations (21 credits)

▲ Concentration in Conservation (CNSV)

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Ecological Science (ECSI)

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Environmental Health (EVHL)

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Human and Ecosystem Response to Climate Change (HERC)

Concentration Total: 21 credits

▲ Concentration in Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Ecology (MEFC)

Concentration Total: 21 credits

Mason Core and Elective Credits (37-39 credits)

Mason Core

Foundation Requirements (15-19 credits)

Core Requirements (22 credits)

Synthesis/Capstone Requirement (minimum 3 credits)

Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits