Nevada State University Catalogs - Environmental and Resource Science B.S.
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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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the students will be able to:

  1. Characterize the abiotic and biotic components and processes of a system at different spatiotemporal scales.
  2. Demonstrate proficient skills to qualify and/or quantify the interactions between human social systems and the environment.
  3. Design a well-reasoned study to address current issues in environmental science.
  4. Participate actively in conversations about environmental issues.
  5. Demonstrate effective communication skills to present scientific ideas to a diverse audience.
  6. Develop skills through experiential learning courses like internship, undergraduate research, and field-based experiences.

Curriculum

Recommended Schedule

A recommended course sequence to complete the major in four years.

College Core Curriculum

English (3-8 credits)

Refer to the English section of the Core Curriculum

Study and Technology Skills (0-3 credits)

Refer to the Study and Technology Skills section of the Core Curriculum

Mathematics (3 credits)

Refer to the Mathematics section of the Core Curriculum. Classes in the major may be used to fulfill this Core requirement. Consult an Academic Advisor.

Natural Sciences (7-8 credits)

Refer to the Natural Sciences section of the Core Curriculum. Classes in the major may be used to fulfill this Core requirement. Consult an Academic Advisor.

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 (74-75 credits)

Environmental and Resource Science Core Courses (25 credits)

BIOL 190AIntroduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Lecture

3.00
BIOL 190LIntroduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Lab

1.00
BIOL 191AIntroduction to Organismal Biology Lecture

3.00
BIOL 191LIntroduction to Organismal Biology Lab

1.00
ENV 101Introduction to Environmental Science

3.00
ENV 220/BIOL 220Introduction to Ecological Principles

3.00
ENV 480Geographic Information System for Environmental Management

4.00
GEOG 117Meteorology/Climatology.

3.00
GEOL 101AExploring Planet Earth Lecture

3.00
GEOL 101LExploring Planet Earth Laboratory

1.00

Related Math/Science Core Requirements (19 credits)

CHEM 121AGeneral Chemistry I

3.00
CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I

1.00
CHEM 122AGeneral Chemistry II

3.00
CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory II

1.00
MATH 181Calculus I

4.00
PHYS 151AGeneral Physics I - Lecture

3.00
PHYS 151LGeneral Physics I Laboratory

1.00
STAT 391Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences

3.00

Major Electives Area A (minimum of 9 credits)

Choose a minimum of 9 credits from Area A. One course from Area A or Area B must include one lab credit.

ENV 345Environmental Regulations: History, Law, and Methods

3.00
NRES 210Environmental Pollution

3.00
NRES 304Principles of Hydrology

3.00
NRES 322Soils

3.00
BIOL 441Field Ecology

4.00
BIOL 472Limnology

3.00
BIOL 472LLimnology Lab

1.00

Major Electives Area B (minimum of 21 credits)

Choose a minimum of 21 credits from Area B. Courses from Area A that exceed the Area A requirement can be used towards Area B requirement. One course from Area A or Area B must include a least one lab credit.

BIOL 300APrinciples of Genetics

3.00
BIOL 300LPrinciples of Genetics Laboratory

1.00
BIOL 305Introduction to Conservation Biology

3.00
BIOL 319Vertebrate Biology

4.00
BIOL 321Marine Biology

3.00
BIOL 330Plant Biology

3.00
BIOL 330LPlant Biology Lab

1.00
BIOL 340Urban Agriculture

4.00
BIOL 351AMicrobiology Lecture

3.00
BIOL 351LMicrobiology Lab

1.00
BIOL 398L/CHEM 398L/ENV 398LAdvanced Research Methods and Laboratory Skills

2.00
BIOL 408Bioremediation

3.00
BIOL 415Evolution

3.00
BIOL 416Bioinformatics

3.00
BIOL 419Tropical Ecology

3.00
BIOL 433Ornithology

4.00
BIOL 437Entomology

4.00
BIOL 441Field Ecology

4.00
BIOL 446Desert and Montane Ecosystems

3.00
BIOL 450Special Topics

3.00
BIOL 450LSpecial Topics Lab

1.00
BIOL 462Microbial Ecology

3.00
BIOL 472Limnology

3.00
BIOL 472LLimnology Lab

1.00
BIOL 497/CHEM 496Senior Thesis

3.00
CHEM 330Analytical Chemistry

4.00
CHEM 421Physical Chemistry I

3.00
CHEM 423Physical Chemistry Laboratory

2.00
ENV 433Water Resource Institutions, Management and Policy

3.00
ENV 492Undergraduate Research

1.00-3.00
ENV 493Independent Study

1.00 - 3.00
ENV 494/BIOL 494/CHEM 484Environmental Science Colloquium

1.00
GEOL 333Principles of Geomorphology

4.00
GEOL 405Geology of the National Parks

3.00
GEOL 461Paleobiology

3.00
GEOL 461LPaleobiology Laboratory

1.00
NRES 304Principles of Hydrology

3.00
NRES 322Soils

3.00
NRES 360Environmental Instrumentation

4.00
NRES 416Internship

1.00-3.00
NRES 432Advanced Environmental Toxicology

3.00
NRES 467Regional and Global Issues in Environmental Sciences

3.00
NRES 485Special Topics in Environmental Science

1.00-4.00
NRES 485LSpecial Topics in Environmental Science Lab

1.00
PBH 340Built Environmental and Health

3.00

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental & Resource Science

 College Core Curriculum

 21-32
 Major Core Requirements
 74-75
 Electives
13-25
 Total Credits
 120

NOTE: At least 30 credits of Upper Division course work must be completed at Nevada State University to fulfill the Residency Graduation Requirement.