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Environmental Sciences Major Requirements

Although placed in GEMS for administrative purposes, the Environmental Sciences major truly is interdisciplinary in nature, both in its curriculum and faculty. The program is overseen by the Environmental Sciences Oversight Committee, whose members are appointed by the Assistant Dean for Science of the College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences. Present Oversight Committee members are Dr. Jonathan Husch (GEMS Chair), Dr. Bruce Burnham (Chemistry), Dr. Laura Hyatt (Biology), and Dr. Hongbing Sun (GEMS).
 

SUBJECT
AREA

COURSE
NUMBER

COURSE NAME
CREDITS


CORE REQUIREMENTS (47 credits)


     Environmental Sciences (7 Credits)
  ENV-100 Introduction to Environmental Sciences

 4

  ENV-350 Environmental Toxicology

 3


     Biology (12 Credits)
  BIO-115 Principles of Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Biology of Animals

 4

  BIO-116  Principles of Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Biology of Plants

 4

  BIO-350  General Ecology

 4


     Geosciences (12 Credits)
  GEO-100 or 113  Earth Systems Science or Environmental Geology

 3

  GEO-102  Earth Materials and Processes Lab

 1

  GEO-350 Soils and Surficial Processes

 4

  GEO-407  Hydrology and Water Resources

 4


     Chemistry (12 Credits)
  CHE-120 Principles of Chemistry

 3

  CHE-121  Principles of Chemistry Lab

 1

  CHE-122  Introduction to Chemical Systems

 3

  CHE-123  Quantitative Methods Lab

 1

  CHE-211 Organic Chemistry I

 3

  CHE-213 Organic Chemistry I Lab

 1


     Mathematics (4 Credits)1   One course:

  ENV-200 Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences

 4


ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS (13-15 Credits)

   a) Select four courses from the following three groups.
   b) Select at least one course from each of the groups.
   c) Select at least three courses at the 300-400 level.
   d) One of the courses selected must be a laboratory course.
   e) Only one course from Group C is allowed. 
   f)  Only one Introduction to Field Marine Science course (MAR-227-229) is allowed


     Group A: Biotic Processes

  BIO-117 Principles of Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Biology of Cells

 4

  BIO-265 Genetics

 4

  BIO-272 and 272L Introduction to Marine Biology and Lab

 4

  BIO-305  Vertebrate Physiology 

 4

  BIO-321 Environmental Microbiology

 4

  BIO-335 Modern Plant Biology

 4

  BIO-372  Behavior of Marine Organisms

 4

  MAR-227-229  Introduction to Field Marine Science course2,3 

 4

  MAR-360 Plankton Ecology

 4


     Group B: Abiotic Processes

  CHE-214 Organic Chemistry II

 3

  CHE-311  Analytical Chemistry 

 3

  ENV-205 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems 

 3

  ENV-375  Environmental Biogeochemistry

 3

  GEO-201  Elements of Mineralogy 

 4

  MAR-330  Chemical Oceanography3

 4

  MAR-410 Physical Oceanography3

 3


    Group C: Social Processes

  AMS-304 Technology and Science in America

 3

  CBA-316 Nature's Business4

 3

  ECO-345 Transportation for Business and Society5

 3

  ECO-350 Business Location and Environmental Scanning5

 3

  HIS-299 American Environmental History and Culture

 3

  PHL-320 Philosophy of Science

 3

  POL-215 Global Politics

 3

  SOC-225 Population Study

 3

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 60-62+ (In addition to CLAES core requirements)

Completion of the OSHA HAZWOPER Training Course, LIB-300, is recommended for those students planning on employment within the environmental industry. This 40-hour, three-credit course, sponsored by the Rider University College of Continuing Studies, is approved by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and fulfills the requirements for the OSHA Hazardous Materials Technician, Level A and the 29 CFR 1910.20 regulations. Students who complete the course are fully certified to handle hazardous materials and waste products. Because OSHA certification normally is required for job positions in the environmental industry, OSHA-certified students are more competitive for summer, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities.

A minor in biology, chemistry, marine sciences, or oceanography is recommended.

1Environmental Sciences majors also will take either MTH-105: Algebra and Trigonometry or MTH-210: Calculus I in order to satisfy their CLAES core requirement. PHY-100, 100L, 101, and 101L are strongly recommended for students considering a graduate program in environmental sciences.

2Introduction to Field Marine Science courses are taught on a rotating basis during the Summer I or Summer II terms and include:

  • Subtropical Environments (MAR-227) taught at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Bermuda
  • Boreal Environments (MAR-228) taught at The Shoals Marine Laboratory, Gulf of Maine
  • Tropical Environments (MAR-229) taught at the Institute of Marine Sciences, Roatan, Honduras

3All Introduction to Field Marine Science courses, Chemical Oceanography, and Physical Oceanography require MAR-120, Oceanography, and MAR-121, Introductory Oceanography Lab, as prerequisites.

4CBA-316 usually requires travel to foreign countries (destination varies from year to year) at extra cost. Travel normally occurs during the winter break or during the summer. Exact travel dates vary, depending on destination.

5For those majors wishing to take either ECO-345 or ECO-350; ECO-201, Principles of Microeconomics is required. ECO-201 will satisfy a CLAES core requirement.


HONORS PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Graduation with Honors in Environmental Sciences is awarded in recognition of majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in the program is by invitation of the GEMS faculty. Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses required for the major and the satisfactory completion of a senior thesis. In addition, an honors candidate must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.

 

Please see the Academic Catalogs for more information, including course descriptions.

Disclaimer: This information is taken from a recent published version of a Rider University academic catalog or manual, though not necessarily the most recent. Please be aware that, while the University makes reasonable efforts to keep website material current and correct, this information is subject to the University's academic policy committees, relevant accreditation organizations, and (in some instances) state and federal laws and regulations. For this and other reasons it may be subject to change at any time without notice and without being immediately reflected on the Web site.