Environmental and Resource Science B.S.
Mission Statement
Environmental and Resource Science is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the interaction of processes that shape our natural environment. Environmental science studies the interplay among humankind and other species and the physical, chemical, and biological processes that regulate the function of both natural and engineered environments. Environmental science seeks to model and describe environmental processes to understand their effects upon humankind and consider the reciprocal effects of human activities on these processes.
The degree program in Environmental and Resource Science allows students to develop the skills and interdisciplinary understanding needed to deal with environmental issues by building on a foundation in mathematics, natural sciences, and social policy. The Environmental and Resource Science program is designed to provide the broad general and scientific knowledge appropriate to a variety of careers in resource management. The program prepares students for advanced professional degrees in environmental science. The program also serves students who would like to teach natural science in secondary schools and prefer an interdisciplinary approach.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to identify and describe the dynamic physical and chemical processes, acting at the Earth’s surface, some of which provide resources and energy for natural ecosystems and for human needs.
- Students will identify and explain biological characteristics of ecosystems and explain the dynamics of the relationship of ecosystems to their physical environment with particular emphasis on the southwestern United States.
- Students will be able to appraise the affects that human needs have had on ecosystems and to formulate ideas or processes that will insure sustainability of human-influenced ecosystems.
- Students will be able to perform practical applications of data collection and interpretation for environmental restoration and management under federal and local laws and regulations.
Curriculum
College Core Curriculum (33-44)
English (3-8 credits)
Refer to the English section of the Core Curriculum
Study and Technology Skills (0-2 credits)
Refer to the Study and Technology Skills section of the Core Curriculum
Mathematics (4 credits)
Natural Sciences (8 credits)
Social Sciences (3 credits)
Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum
Fine Arts (3 credits)
Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum
Humanities (6 credits)
Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum
Constitution (3-6 credits)
Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum
Cultural Diversity (3 credits)
Refer to the Cultural Diversity section of the Core Curriculum
Major Requirements (58-60)
Environmental and Resource Science Courses
| BIOL 122 | Desert Plants | 3.00 |
| BIOL 196 | Principles of Modern Biology I | 4.00 |
| BIOL 197 | Principles of Modern Biology II | 4.00 |
| BIOL 220 | Introduction to Ecological Principles | 3.00 |
| BIOL 305 | Introduction to Conservation Biology | 3.00 |
| ENV 101 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3.00 |
| ENV 260 | Environmental Measurement and Analysis | 4.00 |
| ENV 345 | Environmental Regulations: History, Law, and Methods | 3.00 |
| ENV 480 | Geographic Information System for Environmental Management | 4.00 |
| GEOG 117 | Introduction to Meteorology | 3.00 |
| GEOL 101 | Geology: Exploring Planet Earth | 4.00 |
| NRES 210 | Environmental Pollution | 3.00 |
| NRES 304 | Principles of Hydrology | 3.00 |
| NRES 322 | Soils | 3.00 |
| NRES 467 | Regional and Global Issues in Environmental Sciences | 3.00 |
| PHYS 151 | General Physics I | 4.00 |
| STAT 391 | Applied Statistics for Biological Science | 3.00 |
| NRES 485 | Special Topics | 1.00 - 3.00 |
| or | |
| BIOL 441 | Field Ecology | 4.00 |
| or | |
| BIOL 470 | Topics in Applied Microbiology | 3.00 |
Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental & Resource Science
|
College Core Curriculum
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33-44
|
|
Major Core Requirements
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58-60
|
|
Electives (at least 16 credits must be Upper Division)
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17-29
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Total Credits
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120
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