Brockport / Catalogs / 2013-14 / Programs / Environmental Science and Biology Major (BS)

Environmental Science and Biology Major

Michael Fox: The department has requested various changes to track requirements to sections titled "by advisement from". Do these changes need to be approved by anyone?

Description

Environmental problems are among the most urgent issues facing our civilization. In order to manage Earth’s environment well, we must understand the processes that shape its surface; control the chemistry of air, water and soil; and produce and maintain biological and other resources upon which humans depend. We must also understand interactions of animals, plants and other living organisms with their physical and chemical environments, their ecology. Through a curriculum with a common core and a focused track, environmental science majors develop conceptual knowledge and technical skills to use the disciplines of biology, ecology, chemistry, and earth sciences to understand and solve environmental problems. Six tracks are offered in the environmental science major: aquatic ecology/biology, terrestrial ecology/biology, combined aquatic and terrestrial ecology/biology, wetland ecology, environmental chemical analysis, and earth science.

What can I do with an environmental science and biology major?

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare this major.

Program Requirements

Students in the environmental science and biology major pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete its requirements.

The major requires a minimum of 62-70 credits balanced between required courses in the core curriculum (38 credits) and required, elective, or co-requisite courses in the student's chosen track (24-32 credits).

Core Curriculum

  • ENV202
  • ENV204
  • ENV303
  • ENV452
  • ENV492
  • CHM205
  • CHM206
  • CHM313
  • GEL201
  • MTH201

Students in the environmental science and biology major pursue one of the following tracks:

Aquatic Ecology/Biology Track (24 credits)

  • ENV419
  • ENV421
* Note: Additional courses may be chosen from these groups as electives.

Terrestrial Ecology Track (24 credits)

Combined Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology/Biology Track (31 credits)

  • ENV419
  • ENV421

Wetland Ecology Track (32 credits)

  • ENV400
  • ENV435
  • ENV446
  • ESC412
  • ESC455
  • CHM305

Environmental Chemical Analysis Track (29 credits)

  • CHM301
  • CHM305
  • CHM306
  • CHM457
  • ENV423
  • ENV462

Earth Science Track (24 credits)

  • 20 credits chosen by advisement:
    • ENV419
    • ENV421
    • ENV436
    • ENV497
    • ENV498
    • ENV499
    • ESC313
    • ESC314
    • ESC325
    • ESC350
    • ESC412
    • ESC418
    • ESC420
    • ESC421
    • ESC431
    • ESC455
    • ESC457
    • ESC464
    • GEL415
    • GEL457
    • GEL462
  • Corequisites: choose ONE from:
    • PHS205
    • PHS235
    • CHM305

Total Number of Credits: 62-70

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. The student shall demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of environmental science, including but not limited to biodiversity, prevention of pollution, sustainability, population growth, energy and efficiency, and solutions to environmental problems.
  2. The student shall demonstrate knowledge of the basic biological processes, including but not limited to cellular respiration and photosynthesis, DNA replication and protein synthesis, mitosis and meiosis, molecular and population genetics, evolution and natural selection, and the origin, history and classification of life.
  3. The student shall demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of ecology, including but not limited to energy flow, materials cycling, community structure and function, species interactions, population dynamics, physiological ecology, and animal behavior.
  4. The student shall demonstrate understanding of the basic principles of physical geology, including but not limited to mineral and rock formation, landforms, groundwater, and other geological phenomena that affect the Earth.
  5. The student shall demonstrate understanding of basic chemical processes, including but not limited to atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical equations, and statistical evaluation of quantitative data.
  6. The student shall demonstrate an understanding of basic aspects of federal and state environmental law, including but not limited to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air and Water Acts, the Endangered Species Act, and the NY State Environmental Quality Review Act.
  7. The student shall demonstrate proficiency analyzing and interpreting scientific data, using relevant mathematical skills, and applying major environmental concepts.
  8. The student shall demonstrate skills in observing natural phenomena, both directly and by use of laboratory and field equipment.
  9. The student shall demonstrate decision-making and problem-solving skills: evaluating competing explanations, designing scientific studies, and applying scientific knowledge to societal problems.
  10. The student shall demonstrate proficiency in the oral and written communication of scientific data and analyses.

Department of Environmental Science and Biology

Department Chair: Christopher Norment
Location: Lennon 105
Visit Website
Email: ddilker@brockport.edu
Phone: (585) 395-5975
Fax: (585) 395-5969

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Faculty & Staff

    


Kathryn  Amatangelo Ph.D
 (Stanford University)  
Assistant Professor
Deborah A Dilker BS
 (SUNY Empire State College)  
Secretary 1
Andrea  Graham BS
 (Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus)  
Teaching Assistant
James M Haynes Ph.D
 (University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities)  
Professor
Chris  Hays BS
 (Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science)  
Teaching Assistant
Theodore  Lewis BS
Research Scientist
Joseph C Makarewicz Ph.D
 (Cornell University)  
Distinguished Service Professor
Hilary R Mosher MPA
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Instructional Support Technician
Bradley  Mudrzynski MS
Research Scientist
Bradley M Mudrzynski MS
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Christopher J Norment Ph.D
 (University Of Kansas Main Campus)  
Professor and Chair
Mark D Norris Ph.D
 (University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities)  
Visiting Assistant Professor
Norma A Polizzi JD
 (SUNY At Buffalo)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Jacques J Rinchard Ph.D
 (University of Namur)  
Associate Professor
Douglas A Wilcox Ph.D
 (Purdue University-Main Campus)  
E. I. Prof. of Wetland Science