Environmental Science and Sustainability, B.S.

Students must complete the Oakland University General Education Requirements, General College of Arts and Sciences requirements , College of Arts and Sciences Exploratory requirement , Major Requirements, and an appropriate number of free elective classes to meet the overall credit requirement for the degree (in most cases a minimum of 124; some degrees may require a greater number).

A student cannot declare a major and a minor in the same discipline (e.g. a BS in Accounting with a minor in Accounting).

Schedule of Classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

General Education Requirements

In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Each candidate for an Oakland University baccalaureate will need to satisfactorily complete approved courses in each of the following areas: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. For details, refer to the General Education Requirements section of the catalog.

Requirements for the major in Environmental Science and Sustainability, B.S.

Designed to integrate applied scientific specialties within the broad field of environmental science, the environmental science curricula prepare students for a variety of professional opportunities in government as well as the private sector, and for graduate study in such fields as toxic substance management, public health, toxicology, pharmacology, industrial hygiene and environmental planning.

Graduates of the program should be able to identify and evaluate a broad range of environmental problems. In addition, they should be able to offer solutions, anticipate hazards and prevent future problems. Studies include such areas as health in the workplace, toxic substance regulations, applied ecology, pollution prevention, air resources, water resources and public environmental policy.

To earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in environmental science and sustainability, students must complete a minimum of 124 credits including:

Required Core Courses (minimum of 35 credits)

BIO 3330 - Ecology (5) or BIO 4380 - Ecological Problem Solving (4)
BIO 3332 - Field Biology (4) or BIO 3312 - Field Botany (4) or BIO 3333 - Tropical Field Ecology (3) or ENV 3750 - Introduction to Apiculture and Sustainability (4) or BIO 3362 - Permaculture (4)
ENV 3080 - Introduction to Environmental Studies (4)
ENV 3090 - Principles of Geology (3)
ENV 3120 - Energy and the Environment (4)
ENV 3700 - Principles of Soil Science (4)
ENV 3730 - Water Resources (3)
ENV 4520 - Geographic Information System Analysis for Sustainability (4)
ENV 4610 - Environmental Law and Policies (3)
ENV 4950 - Environmental Science Internship (3) (satisfies the requirements for the capstone experience and writing intensive course in the major)

Required Biology courses

Required Chemistry courses

CHM 1440 - General Chemistry I (4)
CHM 1470 - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
CHM 1450 - General Chemistry II (4)
CHM 1480 - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)

Required Physics courses

PHY 1010 - General Physics I (4) or PHY 1510 - Introductory Physics I (4)
PHY 1100 - General Physics Lab I (1)

Required Mathematics and Statistics courses

Two courses of mathematics above MTH 1221 or statistics (STA 2220 recommended)
Note: MTH 1331 and MTH 1332 together satisfy one course toward this requirement.

Required Electives choose 2 (minimum of 6 credits)

Any ENV non-core course

AN 3720 - Human Adaptation to Change in Climate (4)
BIO 3334 - Botany (4)
BIO 4310 - Conservation Biology (4)
BIO 4330 - Ecology of Streams and Rivers (4)
BIO 4332 - Lake Ecology (4)
CHM 2340 - Organic Chemistry I (4)
CHM 3250 - Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHM 4100 - Environmental Chemistry (3)
CHM 4130 - Environmental Aquatic Chemistry (3)

Major Standing

Major standing must be achieved three semesters before graduation, and before a student reaches senior status, otherwise graduation may be delayed.