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School of Natural Resources and Environment

School of Natural Resources and Environment

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

The baccalaureate degree in Environmental Science is a strong, comprehensive degree program. Our campus-wide faculty have identified the subjects you should study to prepare to enter the environmental job market or advance to a graduate degree program in disciplines including, anthropology, biology, entomology and nematology, environmental engineering science, fisheries, forestry, geography, landscape architecture, political science, resource economics, soil and water science, urban and regional planning, or wildlife or to a professional degree program in business, education, journalism, or environmental law. Most students seek the Bachelor of Science track, but some prefer the Bachelor of Arts, which requires less physics, chemistry, and mathematics to prepare for the junior and senior courses.

The first two years of study lay a foundation of coursework for building expertise. Students need to know the natural sciences of physics, chemistry, and biology, with laboratory experience. The study of microeconomics and macroeconomics is required to understand the human economy. Introductory statistics empowers students to evaluate sets of numbers. An introduction to calculus enables work with rates of change: the heart of ecological science.

The junior and senior-level course work combines the basic and applied sciences needed to diagnose problems, the engineering needed to devise and test solutions, and the social sciences of human processes and institutions needed to take action. Students take a core of courses designed to provide a base of common knowledge and experience. Then students explore electives chosen according to student interest. Students return to a common course during the senior year that applies critical-thinking skills to what they have learned. This program prepares students to deal with a high level of complexity and respond effectively to opportunities that arise during their professional lives.

Students interested in the baccalaureate in Environmental Science should prepare by meeting the college's pre-professional requirements (see the Critical Tracking courses in the Undergraduate Catalog). Students seeking to become a registered professional engineer in Environmental Engineering Sciences should instead follow the pre-professional requirements of that department. Those undecided about becoming engineers should make curricular selections that maintain their options until they make a firm decision. Students seeking the maximum depth of scholarship available in a more specialized or traditional environment-oriented discipline in another college are encouraged to major in the appropriate discipline-centered department rather than the School of Natural Resources and Environment.

Bachelor of Science in Soil and Water Sciences

In partnership with the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, SNRE offers Interdisciplinary Studies: Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources (B.S.) and Soil and Water Sciences (B.S.). For undergraduates seeking to major in these programs, please visit the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences website.

UNDERGRADUATE RESOURCES

Honors Thesis

Junior or senior standing undergraduate students with an upper-division GPA of 3.75, or higher, are encouraged to complete an Honors thesis to graduate Magna or Summa cum laude. Students must be mentored by a faculty advisor and complete an independent project in research, outreach, or teaching resulting in an original piece of work or thesis.

Students completing an Honors Thesis should register for either XXX4905 or XXX4911 for 0 -3 credits hours in their faculty advisor’s department. Students whose faculty advisors prefer for them to register through SNRE should contact Ashley Martin for assistance with registration. The number of credit hours in which to enroll as well as time commitment expectations should be determined in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Environmental Science students are required to submit their Honors proposal and final thesis to the Department Honors Coordinator, Dr. Ramesh Reddy, before it is submitted to the CALS Honors Program Director. Students may also contact Dr. Reddy directly with questions or if they require assistance finding a faculty advisor.

Please see the deadlines below for Spring and Summer 2023 graduates. Additional information regarding completing an Honors Thesis can be found here.

Deadlines

Spring 2023 graduates

Proposal Deadlines
September 16, 2022: Departmental deadline to submit a proposal
September 23, 2022: College deadline to submit a proposal

Thesis Deadlines
March 24, 2023: Departmental deadline to submit a thesis
March 31, 2023: College deadline to submit a thesis

Summer 2023 graduates

Proposal Deadlines
January 27, 2023: Departmental deadline to submit a proposal
February 3, 2023: College deadline to submit a proposal

Thesis Deadlines
June 30, 2023: Departmental deadline to submit a thesis
July 7, 2023: College deadline to submit a thesis

Student Testimonials 

Hear from our students about their experiences with classes, research, and their aspirations for after graduation: