Environmental Science

Major Requirements

Faculty in the Environmental Science Program regularly lead J-Term trips to that give students the chance to do fieldwork in other countries. Above, the Galapagos Islands.

The Environmental Science Program aims to educate natural and social scientists in the liberal arts tradition, so students will understand how to approach complex problems using methodologies and philosophies from multiple disciplines including biology, chemistry, economics, geography, and political science. The program prepares students for graduate study and/or careers in a variety of environmental fields.

Carthage offers a major in Environmental Science. Majors may select one of four course sequences to best suit their research interests and career goals:

Focus on Conservation and Ecology
Focus on Environmental Policy Analysis
Focus on Water and Life
Focus on Environmental Data Analysis
Field Experience

Please note: Current students should follow the printed version of the College Catalog, and work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

The Environmental Science Major: All Sequences

The major consists of at least 56 credits including a core set of courses (28 credits) and a plan of study (28 credits). Students choose their plan of study in conjunction with an advisor. The four sequences of study are both focused and interdisciplinary. Changes to the sequences must be approved by the academic advisor and the Environmental Science Oversight Committee.

Under special circumstances, highly motivated students can self-design a sequence to best fit their needs. Again, the academic advisor and the Oversight Committee must approve the plan prior to student's beginning advanced coursework.

Per the college requirement, all Environmental Science majors must complete a senior thesis. An oral presentation of the senior thesis is required as part of the Environmental Science Senior Seminar (ENV 4000). Environmental Science majors who are double-majoring are required to take ENV 4000 even if they have completed a senior seminar in another major.

Students are also expected to attend one campus colloquium per month during their junior and senior years, unless they are participating in an off-campus program.

Focus in Conservation and Ecology

This track provides a strong background in natural resources, including soils, forestry, and ecology, and is designed for students interested in working with the Department of Natural Resources or other similar organizations as scientists, consultants, or educators. Students are well trained in field-based research design and analysis, and graduates of this track often pursue graduate school, work as environmental consultants, or work with government or nonprofit conservation agencies.

Core
ENV 1600 Introduction to Environmental Science
ENV 2610 Case Studies in Environmental Science
Statistics Course that meets the Math requirement
GEO 2600 Introduction to GIS
ECN 3050 Environmental Economics
POL 3620 Environmental Politics
ENV 4000 Senior Seminar
ENV 4980 Field Experience
ENV 4990 Senior Thesis

Track
CHM 1000 Fundamentals of Chemistry
BIO 1030 Conservation OR BIO 2200 Ecology
BIO 3050 Plant Physiology OR GEO 3800 Soil Science OR BIO 3060 Microbiology OR BIO 4050 Entomology
GEO 2450 Biogeography OR GEO 3400 Forest Ecology
GEO 3900 Field Methods
GEO 3200 Hydrology
Elective: 3000+ Level or Other Approved Topics Course

Focus on Environmental Policy Analysis

This track provides a strong foundation in environmental policy development and implementation, and is good preparation for those who want to work as environmental advocates or environmental lawyers. Graduates of this track have gone on to work with the Environmental Protection Agency, Enviro-America, and AmeriCorp.

Track
POL 2400 American Government: National, State, and Local
POL 3930 Environmental Law
SWK 3100 Social Welfare Policy Analysis
GEO 3450 Urban Geography OR SOC 3020 Sociological Research I
GEO 2100 Human Landscape
BIO 1030 Conservation OR BIO 2200 Introductory Ecology
Elective: 3000+ Level or Other Approved Topical Course

Focus in Water and Life

This track focuses on developing the chemistry skills necessary to detect and track pollutants in the natural world, especially in aquatic systems. Students learn and apply laboratory skills that make them successful environmental chemists, and alumni from this track have gone on to complete graduate degrees in water resources management, work as environmental consultants, and perform research at a variety of other institutions, including the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

Track
CHM 1020 General Chemistry II
CHM 2070 Organic Chemistry I
CHM 3230 Analytical Chemistry
GEO 3200 Hydrology
GEO 3800 Soil Science OR GEO 2950 Process Geomorphology
BIO 3060 Microbiology
BIO 3200 Aquatic Ecology

Focus on Environmental Data Analysis

This track is designed for students interested in data management and for students with an interest in computer science and/or the use of computer programs to approach environmental questions. Expertise gained in the use of geographical information systems (GIS) and database management benefits students looking for jobs related to sustainable development and urban planning, or large-scale ecological research, to name just a couple examples.

Track
GEO 2700 Satellite and Air Photo Analysis
GEO 3600 Advanced Geographic Information Science
BIO 1030 Conservation OR BIO 2200 Introductory Ecology
CSC 1110 Principles of Computer Science
CSC 2560 Data Structures and Algorithms
CSC 3410 Database Design and Management
ISS 3450 Information Systems Theory and Practice

Successful completion of ENV 1600 and 2610 will fulfill any prerequisites for the courses listed in each sequence.

Electives can be selected from courses offered within another track or can be approved by the academic advisor and the Environmental Science Oversight Committee.

Field Experience (ENV 4980)

Finally, students must complete an approved field experience. It is the intention of this program that our students all have practical experience in the environmental science major before they graduate. The field experience can be completed in the following formats:

An off-campus field course
A J-Term or summer trip
Research experience through the Carthage SURE program or an off-campus program
An internship, either as part of an interest group such as Greenpeace, Sierra Club, or the Reason Public Policy Institute, or by working in an industry or government setting.
Relevant employment in the discipline.

Field experiences are approved as part of your plan of study. Consult your advisor for specific examples.

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

J-Term in Nicaragua

This annual trip allows Carthage students to explore the geography of Ometepe, and treat patients in the island's medical clinics. Watch the video.

Research Opportunities

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience leads to real world success. Read more.

Carthage In-Depth

Carthage Symposium

Art Meets Biology. Students photograph biodiversity in Tucson, Ariz.

J-Term

Unearthing the Past. Students travel to Israel to excavate Roman temples of Omrit.