ESF Academic Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
The curriculum in the bachelor’s degree program provides a strong foundation in the sciences and introduces students to the interdisciplinary breadth of environmental science through a selection of core courses dealing with the geographical, physical, social and living environments.
- Senior Staff Assistant/Curriculum Coordinator: Ann Moore
Students have the flexibility to satisfy their core requirements by completing courses in biology, chemistry, ecology, geography, engineering, forestry, environmental studies and other areas of study. College-wide general education requirements provide additional opportunities for students to complete courses in the arts, humanities and social sciences to develop a broader context for personal and professional growth.
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| APM 105 | Survey Of Calc & Appl I | G | 4 |
| APM 106 | Survey Of Calc & Appl II | 4 | |
| APM 391 | Intro/Probability&Stats | 3 | |
| EFB 101 | Gen Bio I:Organismal Bio&Ecol | G | 3 |
| EFB 102 | General Biology I Laboratory | G | 1 |
| EFB 103 | Gen Bio II:Cell Bio & Genetics | G | 3 |
| EFB 104 | General Biology II Laboratory | G | 1 |
| EFB 120 | The Global Envirnmnt & Society | G | 3 |
| EFB 320 | General Ecology | 4 | |
| ENS 132 | Orientation Seminar:EnvSci | 1 | |
| ESF 300 | Intro/Geospatial Info Tech | 3 | |
| EWP 190 | Writing And The Envrnment | G | 3 |
| EWP 290 | Research Writing & Humanities | G | 3 |
| EWP 407 | Writing/Env & Sci Professionls | 3 | |
| FCH 150 | General Chemistry I | G | 3 |
| FCH 151 | General Chemistry I Lab | G | 1 |
| FCH 152 | General Chemistry II | G | 3 |
| FCH 153 | General Chemistry II Lab | G | 1 |
| FOR 207 | Introduction To Economics | G | 3 |
| PHY 211 | General Physics I | G | 3 |
| PHY 212 | General Physics II | 3 | |
| PHY 221 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 | |
| PHY 222 | General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
Lower Division Electives
| Course | Codes* | Credits |
| Free electives | 12 |
| General Education Course in two of the following categories: US History & Civic Engagement, The Arts, World History and Global Awareness, World Languages |
G | 6 |
| General Education Course in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice | G | 3 |
Environmental Science Core
Students must complete one course from each of the following environmental science core areas.
NOTE: Courses used to complete the advanced chemistry, biology, or mathematics requirements, environmental science core requirements, or option requirements may NOT be used to satisfy more than one of these requirements.
The Physical Environment
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAR 305 | Earth Science of Energy | 3 | |
| EAR 403 | Geomorphology | 3 | |
| ERE 380 | Energy Systems Engineering | 3 | |
| EST 231 | Environmental Geology | 3 | |
| FCH 210 | Elements Of Organic Chem | 4 | |
| FCH 221 AND FCH 222 |
Organic Chemistry 1 Organic Chemistry Lab 1 |
3 1 |
|
| FCH 360 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 | |
| FOR 338 | Meteorology | G | 3 |
| FOR 340 | Watershed Hydrology | 3 | |
| FOR 345 | Introduction to Soils | 3 | |
| GNE 172 | Statics and Dynamics | 4 |
The Living Environment
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFB 303 | Intro Envrn Microbiology | 4 | |
| EFB 326 | Plant Evol,Diversificatn&Cons | 3 | |
| EFB 327 | Adirondack Flora | 3 | |
| EFB 336 | Dendrology I | 3 | |
| EFB 342 | Fungal Diversity & Ecology | 3 | |
| EFB 345 | |||
| EFB 351 | Forest Entomology | 3 | |
| EFB 355 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 | |
| EFB 351 | Forest Entomology | 3 | |
| EFB 355 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 | |
| EFB 384 | Field Herpetology | 3 | |
| EFB 388 | Ecology/Adirondack Fishes | 3 | |
| EFB 440 | Mycology | 3 | |
| EFB 462 | Animal Physiol:Envrn&Ecol | 4 | |
| EFB 483 | Mammal Diversity | 4 | |
| EFB 485 | Herpetology | 3 | |
| EFB 486 | Ichthyology | 3 |
The Social Environment
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EST 220 | Urban Ecology | 3 | |
| EFB 337 | Field Ethnobotany | 3 | |
| EST 361 | History/Am Envrn Movement | 3 | |
| EST 390 | Social Processes & Envrn | 3 | |
| EST 450 | Sustainable Enterprise | 3 | |
| EWP 390 | Literature of Nature | 3 | |
| FOR 465 | Natural Resources Policy | 3 | |
| FOR 487 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 | |
| FOR 489 | Natural Resources Law & Policy | 3 |
Advanced Courses in Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics
An advanced course is one that has at least one prerequisite or is numbered 300 or above. Note: Courses used to complete the advanced courses in chemistry, biology or mathematics requirement may NOT be used to complete the environmental science core or option requirements.
Required Courses
| Course | Codes* | Credits |
| Advanced Courses in science or mathematics |
Option Area
Students must complete at least 15 credits in ONE of the following option areas of study. Courses used to complete the advanced chemistry, biology, or mathematics requirements; environmental science core requirements; or upper division electives may not be used to satisfy the option area requirements.
Environmental Information and Mapping (16 credits required)
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERE 365 | Principles of Remote Sensing | 4 | |
| ERE 371 | Surveying For Engineers | 3 | |
| FOR 458 | Advanced Topics in GIS | 3 | |
| GEO 381 | Cartographic Design | 3 | |
| LSA 300 OR EFB 518 |
Digital Methods & Graphics I Systms Ecology: Eco Mdlng&Dsgn |
3 3 |
Water Science (15 credits required)
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOR 340 | Watershed Hydrology | 3 | |
| FOR 345 | Introduction to Soils | 3 | |
| FOR 442 | Watershed Ecology & Management | 3 |
Choose TWO courses from the list below:
Watershed Science
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFB 423 | Marine Ecology | 4 | |
| EFB 424 | Limnology:Study Inland Waters | 3 | |
| EFB 486 | Ichthyology | 3 | |
| EFB 487 | Fisheries Science & Mgt | 3 | |
| EFB 542 | Freshwater Wetland Ecosys | 3 | |
| ERE 412 | River Form and Process | 3 | |
| ERE 508 | Water-An Incredible Journey | 3 | |
| FOR 338 | Meteorology | 3 | |
| GEO 316 | River Environments | 3 | |
| CEE 657 | Biogeochemistry | 3 |
NOTE: CIE 657, Ecological Biogeochemistry, is an upper-division Syracuse University course. Access by petition only; confer with your academic advisor.
Health and the Environment (17 credits required)
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EHS 250 | Foundations/Envrn Health | 2 | |
| EFB 400 | Toxic Health Hazards | 3 | |
| EFB 360 | Epidemiology | 3 |
Elective courses
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFB 303 | Intro Envrn Microbiology | 4 | |
| EFB 307 | Principles Of Genetics | 3 | |
| EFB 308 | Prin Of Genetics Lab | 1 | |
| EFB 325 | Cell Biology | 3 | |
| EFB 385 | Comparative Vert Anatomy | 4 | |
| EFB 453 | Parasitology | 3 | |
| EFB 462 | Animal Physiol:Envrn&Ecol | 4 | |
| EHS 320 | Disease Prevention | 3 | |
| EHS 350 | Environmental Health Managemnt | 3 | |
| EHS 440 | Occupational Health and Safety | 3 | |
| EHS 480 | Hazardous Waste Management | 3 | |
| ENS 470 | Environmental Risk Assessment | 3 | |
| FST 102 | Contemporary Food Issues | 3 |
Earth and Atmospheric Systems Science & Analysis
(16 credits required)
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCH 399 | Intro/Atmospheric Sciences | G | 3 |
| EFB 424 | Limnology:Study Inland Waters | 3 | |
| FOR 345 | Introduction to Soils | 3 |
Choose TWO courses from the list below:
Elective course
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| APM 307 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 | |
| APM 485 | Diff Equat/Engr&Scientist | 3 | |
| APM 585 | Part Diff Equat/Engrs&Scientst | 3 | |
| CIE 457 | Biogeochemistry | 3 | |
| ERE 365 | Principles of Remote Sensing | 4 | |
| FCH 380 | Analytical Chemistry I | 2 | |
| FCH 381 | Analytical Chemistry II | 3 | |
| FCH 510 | Environmental Chemistry I | 3 | |
| FCH 511 | Atmospheric Chemistry | 3 | |
| FCH 515 | Meth/Envrn Chem Analysis | 3 | |
| MCR 480 | Fundamentals of Microscopy | 3 |
NOTE: Upon consultation with option area coordinator, students may select courses beyond those listed above that align with professional goals.
Renewable Energy
(15 credits required)
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRE 441 OR CME 305 |
Biomass Energy Sustainable Energy Sys/Bldgs |
3 3 |
|
| SRE 325 | Energy Systems | 3 | |
| SRE 337 | Energy Resource Assessment | 3 | |
| SRE 479 | Life Cycle Assessment | 3 |
and a minimum of 3 credits from the following:
Elective Course
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CME 305 | Sustainable Energy Sys/Bldgs | 3 | |
| ERE 380 | Energy Systems Engineering | 3 | |
| EST 427 | Environmental &Energy Auditing | 3 | |
| FCH 360 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 | |
| ECH 202 | Prin Mass/Energy Balance | 3 | |
| ECH 212 | Engr Thermodynamics | 3 | |
| SRE 422 | Energy Markets and Regulation | 3 | |
| SRE 416 | Sustainable Energy Policy | 3 | |
| SRE 454 | Sustainble Energy Fin&Analysis | 3 | |
| PHY 305 |
Upper Division Electives
| Course | Codes* | Credits |
| Electives | 15 |
Students completing the environmental science program must complete 15 credits of upper division electives to satisfy the graduation requirements. Course taken to satisfy the advanced math/science or option areas cannot also be used to satisfy the upper division elective requirement.
Under the guidance of their academic advisor, students may design their own block of electives. Course selection should support the student’s capstone research, career or advanced academic study goals. Alternatively, this requirement can also be satisfied by choosing an official college minor. A list of minors is available:
Senior Synthesis
Capstone Courses
| Course Number | Course | Codes * | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 498 | Resrch Prob/Envrn Science | 1 | |
| ENS 498 OR ENS 420 |
Resrch Prob/Envrn Science Internship in Env Science |
33 | |
| Project-Oriented Coursework* | 3 | ||
| ENS 494 | Capstone Seminar | 1 | |
| ENS 498 OR ENS 420 |
Resrch Prob/Envrn Science Internship in Env Science |
1 - 5 1 - 5 |
NOTE: ENS 498 and ENS 420 are taken for 3 credits
*Students may select from a list of project-oriented coursework to fulfill their senior synthesis requirement. Upon consultation with their advisor, students may also select courses beyond those listed ona case-by-case basis. Acceptable courses include:
- ENS 496 Renewable Energy Capstone Seminar
- ENS 596 International Interdisciplinary Urban Ecosystem Design
- EFB 525 Limnology Practicum (student will need to enroll in an additional credit hour)
- ESF 496 Special Topics classes (must confer with advisor)
- Other
Total Minimum Credits For Degree: 126