Liberal Studies: Environmental Emphasis Major Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies: Environmental Emphasis is designed specifically as a second major for students in the CLAES School of Education interested in teaching science in elementary schools. The program is tailored to meet the interdisciplinary science objectives of elementary education majors and to facilitate the timely completion of their dual requirements in the School of Education and the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This program is not designed to prepare students for further study in science disciplines at the graduate or professional level, or to teach science at the middle or high school level.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the following requirements for the Liberal Studies: Environmental Emphasis Major may be satisfied by taking similar coursework through Rider Approved Study Abroad Programs. Please contact your academic advisor, the GEMS department chair, and/or Rider's Center for International Education (CIE) for further information.


GEMS (26 Credits)
  ENV-100 Introduction to Environmental Sciences 4
  ENV-200 Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences 4
  ENV-205 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems 3
  ENV-220 Weather and Climate Change 3
  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

Biology (8 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

Chemistry (4 Credits)
  CHE-120 Principles of Chemistry 3
  CHE-121 Principles of Chemistry Lab 1

Physics (4 Credits)
  PHY-100 Principles of Physics I 3
  PHY-100L Principles of Physics I Lab 1

Elective Group A: (4 Credits) Select one course from the following:
  BIO-272+272L Introduction to Marine Biology and Lab 4
  BIO-335 Modern Plant Biology 4
  BIO-350 General Ecology 4
  BIO-372 Behavior of Marine Organisms: An Evolutionary Approach 4
  MAR-227-229 Introduction to Field Marine Science1 4
  MAR-380/580 The Learning and Teaching of Marine Sciences1,2 4
  MAR-401 Marine Ecology 4

Elective Group B: (3 Credits) Select one course from the following:
  AMS-250 America and the Future 3
  AMS-304 Technology and Science in America 3
  BHP-231 Natural Adventures: Journeys in American Ecology and History 3
  BHP-232 Issues at the New Jersey Shoreline-Science and Politics 3
  BHP-259 The Environment: A Conflict of Interest 3
  HIS-299 American Environmental History 3
  IND-316 Nature's Business3 3
  PHL-320 Philosophy of Science 3
  POL-215 Global Politics 3
  POL-328 Environmental Policy and Politics 3
  POL-329 Comparative Environmental Policy 3
  SOC-225 Population Studies 3

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 49 (In addition to CLAES core requirements). Environmental Emphasis majors also will take either MTH-105: Algebra and Trigonometry or MTH-210: Calculus I to satisfy the CLAES mathematics core requirement.

1The courses, Introduction to Field Marine Sciences and The Learning and Teaching of Marine Sciences, are taught at various field stations on a rotating basis during the Summer I or Summer II terms. Introduction to Field Marine Sciences courses include:

  • Subtropical Environments; MAR-227
  • Boreal Environments; MAR-228
  • Tropical Environments; MAR-229

2MAR-580 can be used for graduate credit.

3IND-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.


HONORS PROGRAM IN LIBERAL STUDIES: ENVIRONMENTAL EMPHASIS

Graduation with Honors in Liberal Studies: Environmental Emphasis 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 three- or four-credit Independent Research and Study course. In addition an honors candidate must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.

 

 


Disclaimer:  The course information provided above is from the 2010-2011 Academic Catalog and is updated annually as new editions are released.  Prior editions of the catalog are also available online.  The catalog under which the student enters serves as the official record of admission, academic, and graduation requirements.  It is the student’s individual responsibility to be aware of the current graduation requirements for his or her particular degree program.  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.