Undergraduate Catalog (2026-2027)

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Environmental Science (BS)

Federal CIP: 03.0103 Environmental Science

The Environmental Science major focuses on the organismal and ecological aspects of the world and the management and conservation thereof. The goal of the program is to create an engaging, relevant, multi-disciplinary program of study that prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in environmental consulting, environmental services, environmental education, and research arenas as well as for graduate degree programs in a variety of related fields. This major allows students to be eligible for the Enhanced LIFE Scholarship and the Enhanced Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Graduates will be able to investigate and explain the ecological and environmental factors underlying the distribution and abundance of species.

  2. Graduates will recognize the importance of maintaining Earth’s biodiversity and evaluate the biological and human influences that affect it.

  3. Graduates will demonstrate familiarity with local flora and fauna and the ability to identify common species by sight and sound.

  4. Graduates will apply fundamental principles of sustainability to contemporary environmental challenges and articulate the practical benefits and ethical implications of sustainable practices.

  5. Graduates will examine the historical and theological significance of creation care and integrate an understanding of the natural world into personal and communal spiritual formation.

Degree Requirements

Specified Core Curriculum

Students earning a bachelor's degree must complete all Core Curriculum requirements. Completion of specified core requirements require a minimum grade of C-. The following specific core curriculum course(s) is required.

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
CHEM 1114General Chemistry I

4
MATH 1064Algebra and Trigonometry

4
 
PSYC 2003General Psychology

3
Or
SOSC 1003Introduction to Sociology

3

Major Courses

Completion of major courses requires a minimum grade of C-.

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIOL 1114General Biology - Molecular

4
BIOL 1124General Biology - Organismal

4
BIOL 2024Botany

4
BIOL 2034Zoology

4
BIOL 2074Environmental Science

4
BIOL 2254Ecology

4
BIOL 2373Conservation Biology

3
BIOL 3074Field Biology

4
BIOL 3104Microbiology

4
CHEM 1124General Chemistry II

4
MATH 2203Introduction to Statistics

3
SEMR 2021Natural Science Cornerstone Seminar

1
SEMR 2051Scientific Literacy

1
SEMR 2201Wilderness and Spirituality

1
SEMR 2301Sustainability

1
SEMR 3201Introduction to GIS

1

Three (3) hours selected from the following:

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIOL 4800Biology Senior Internship

Variable (1-21 hrs)
BIOL 4990Research in Biology

Variable (1-3 hrs)

Three (3) courses selected from the following:

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIOL 2353Introduction to Ornithology

3
BIOL 2454Introduction to Animal Science

4
BIOL 2653The Ecology of South Carolina-Mountains to the Sea

3
BIOL 2884Biological Studies of the United States

4
BIOL 2894International Studies in Biology

4
BIOL 3054Mammalogy

4
BIOL 3083Forestry

3
BIOL 3174Aquatic and Wetland Biology

4
BIOL 3304Animal Behavior

4
BIOL 3853Wildlife and Natural Resource Management

3
BIOL 3874Herpetology

4
BIOL 4353Comparative and Environmental Physiology

3

Electives

In addition to core curriculum (40-44 credit hours) and major course requirements, students must complete elective coursework appropriate to their degree. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required the Environmental Studies (BS), including elective coursework. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their advisor to identify courses that complement their program area.

Note: Students planning to attend graduate or professional programs following completion of their BS degree should regularly review the needed prerequisites for their desired programs and work with their advisors to incorporate these classes into their program of study.

Summary

Core Curriculum Requirements 40-44 hrs.
Major Requirements 53-54 hrs.
Electives 22-27 hrs.
Total: 120 hrs.