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Environmental Sciences

Coordinator

  • Stephen D. Hendrix

Executive committee chair

  • Mark K. Reagan

Advisory committee

  • E. Arthur Bettis III, Christopher A. Brochu, Vicki H. Grassian, Stephen D. Hendrix, Diana G. Horton, George P. Malanson, William C. McClelland, Michelle M. Scherer, Frank H. Weirich

Affiliated faculty

  • Jonathan M. Adrain (Geoscience), Marc P. Armstrong (Geography), Richard G. Baker (Geoscience), David A. Bennett (Geography), E. Arthur Bettis III (Geoscience), Christopher A. Brochu (Geoscience), Ann F. Budd (Geoscience), Gregory R. Carmichael (Chemical and Biochemical Engineering), Josep Comeron (Biology), Robert W. Cruden (Biology), Jeffrey Dorale (Geoscience), C. Thomas Foster Jr. (Geoscience), Jane A. Gilotti (Geoscience), Vicki H. Grassian (Chemistry), Philip H. Heckel (Geoscience), Diana G. Horton (Biology), Naresh Kumar (Geography), Sarah C. Larsen (Chemistry), Johna Leddy (Chemistry), Marc A. Linderman (Geography), John Logsdon (Biology), Bryant F. MacAllister (Biology), Leonard R. MacGillivray (Chemistry), George P. Malanson (Geography), William C. McClelland (Geoscience), Maurine Neiman (Biology), David W. Peate (Geoscience), R. Rajagopal (Geography), Mark K. Reagan (Geoscience), Jeffry T. Schabilion (Biology), Michelle M. Scherer (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Jerald L. Schnoor (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Holmes A. Semken (Geoscience), Hallie J. Sims (Geoscience), Nelson Ting (Anthropology), Ingrid Ukstins Peate (Geoscience), Larry J. Weber (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Frank Weirich (Geoscience), You-kuan Zhang (Geoscience)
Undergraduate degree: B.S. in Environmental Sciences
Undergraduate nondegree program: Minor in Environmental Sciences
Web site: http://www.uiowa.edu/~envsci

The Environmental Sciences Program provides rigorous interdisciplinary training in the scientific study of the environment. It promotes an understanding of the earth as a complex network of interacting organic and inorganic systems. The program's four tracks--environmental biosciences, environmental chemical sciences, environmental geosciences, and environmental hydrosciences--reflect the diversity in the broad field of environmental sciences and take advantage of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' disciplinary strengths, offering students an opportunity to develop particular areas of expertise.

Hands-on field experience is a crucial component of the program.  Students are strongly encouraged to engage in research and study abroad.

The Department of Geoscience is the administrative home for the Environmental Sciences Program.

Undergraduate Programs

The program offers a Bachelor of Science and a minor in environmental sciences.

Bachelor of Science

The B.S. in environmental sciences requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 83-85 s.h. of work for the major. Students must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program; courses required for the major in environmental sciences also may be used to satisfy the General Education Program requirements.

Environmental sciences students complete requirements in three areas: the science and mathematics foundation, the environmental sciences foundation, and one of four environmental sciences tracks. Each student is assigned an advisor who specializes in his or her track.

The science and mathematics foundation develops fundamental skills and comprehension in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and statistics. The environmental sciences foundation includes an introductory course in environmental science and an array of courses that focus on remote sensing techniques, design and use of geographic information technologies, the geomorphic and environmental processes that shape the earth's surface, and ecological factors that influence the distribution and abundance of organisms.

Each of the four environmental sciences tracks focuses on one aspect of environmental sciences: 

Environmental biosciences (green) track--biological systems and ecological approaches;

Environmental chemical sciences (yellow) track--environmental systems and chemistry;

Environmental geosciences (brown) track--earth materials and surficial geologic processes; and

Environmental hydrosciences (blue) track--hydrogeology and hydrogeologic systems, and water chemistry.

The tracks aim to prepare scientists who can tackle problems that require particular areas of expertise, and to help students develop the skills needed for future employment or graduate study.

Requirements for the major are as follows.

SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS FOUNDATION

Students must complete at least 31 s.h. of course work for the science and mathematics foundation, as follows.

All of these:

002:010-002:011 Principles of Biology I-II 8 s.h.
004:011-004:012 Principles of Chemistry I-II 8 s.h.
012:005 Introduction to Geology 4 s.h.
22M:025-22M:026 Calculus I-II 8 s.h.

One of these: 

22S:039 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences 3 s.h.
22S:101 Biostatistics 3 s.h.
22S:105 Statistical Methods and Computing 3 s.h.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES FOUNDATION

Students must complete at least 19 s.h. of course work for the environmental sciences foundation, as follows.

All of these:

159:008 Introduction to Environmental Science 4 s.h.
159:100 Environmental Sciences Seminar (section 1 for 0 s.h. and section 2 for 1 s.h.) 1 s.h.
159:102 Earth Surface Processes 3 s.h.
159:110 Introduction to Applied Remote Sensing 4 s.h.
159:134 Ecology 4 s.h.
044:005 Foundations of GIS 3 s.h.

Tracks

Environmental sciences students must choose one of the following four tracks. Each track includes required general sciences courses, track foundation courses, field study courses, and elective courses.

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOSCIENCES (GREEN) TRACK

The environmental biosciences track provides the essential skills for entry-level positions that require a good knowledge of biotic systems and the ability to inventory biologic resources. The track's aim is to produce scientists who are capable of tackling environmental problems in which links and interactions with life sciences are crucial and in which a substantial knowledge of biological/ecological sciences is required.  The track also provides a strong foundation for graduate or professional training in disciplines such as ecology, wildlife management, and natural resource management.

Students must complete at least 33 s.h. of environmental biosciences track course work, including one 4 s.h. field course at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

General Sciences 
004:121 Organic Chemistry I 3 s.h.

Students are encouraged to take at least one semester of physics.

Environmental Biosciences Foundation

Both of these:

002:128 Fundamental Genetics 4 s.h.
002:131 Evolution 4 s.h.

At least 7 s.h. from these: 

002:100 Plant Diversity and Evolution 4 s.h.
002:103/044:103 Biogeography 3 s.h.
002:108 Vertebrate Zoology 4 s.h.
002:113 Ecological Plant Anatomy 4 s.h.
002:140 Systematics: Classifying Biodiversity 3 s.h.
012:107 Marine Ecosystems and Conservation 3 s.h.
012:122 Evolution of the Vertebrates 3 s.h.
012:170 Evolution of Ecosystems 3 s.h.
00L:105 Plant Taxonomy 4 s.h.
00L:115 Field Mycology 4 s.h.
00L:117 Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms 4 s.h.
00L:128 Fish Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:129 Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution 4 s.h.

Environmental Biosciences Field Study

At least 4 s.h. from these Iowa Lakeside Laboratory courses: 

00L:103 Aquatic Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:105 Plant Taxonomy 4 s.h.
00L:109 Freshwater Algae 4 s.h.
00L:115 Field Mycology 4 s.h.
00L:117 Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms 4 s.h.
00L:121 Plant Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:122 Prairie Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:126 Ornithology 4 s.h.
00L:128 Fish Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:129 Vertebrate Ecology and Evolution 4 s.h.
00L:160 Restoration Ecology 4 s.h.
00L:163 Conservation Biology 4 s.h.

Environmental Biosciences Electives

Students must complete at least 11 s.h. of elective course work, with at least 7 s.h. from the following list. An additional field study course (see "Environmental Biosciences Field Study" above) may be used for 4 s.h. of the 11 s.h. of elective course work. A maximum of one policy course may be included in the 11 s.h. of electives (06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States, and 044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis).

002:124 Animal Physiology 3 s.h.
002:143 Animal Behavior 4 s.h.
002:162 Population Genetics and Molecular Evolution 3 s.h.
002:196 Honors Investigations arr.
002:199 Introduction to Research 3 s.h.
004:111 Analytical Chemistry I 3 s.h.
004:112 Analytical Chemistry II 3 s.h.
06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3 s.h.
012:108 Introduction to Oceanography 2 s.h.
012:121 Principles of Paleontology 3 s.h.
012:173 Quaternary Environments 3 s.h.
22S:148 Intermediate Statistical Methods 4 s.h.
044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues 3 s.h.
044:101 Climatology 3 s.h.
044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States 3 s.h.
044:123 Landscape Ecology 3 s.h.
044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis 4 s.h.
044:126 Wetlands: Function, Geography, and Management 3 s.h.
213:152 Primate Conservation Biology 3 s.h.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL SCIENCES (YELLOW) TRACK

The environmental chemical sciences track provides the essential skills for entry-level positions that require a basic understanding of chemical principles and a working knowledge of basic chemical concepts as applied in the environment. The track's aim is to produce scientists who are capable of tackling environmental problems in which chemical and molecular processes play an important role. The track also provides a strong foundation for graduate or professional training in environmental chemistry.

Students must complete at least 35 s.h. of environmental chemical sciences track course work.

General Sciences

One of these sequences: 

029:011-029:012 College Physics I-II 8 s.h.
029:081-029:082 Introductory Physics I-II 8 s.h.

Environmental Chemical Sciences Foundation 
004:111-004:112 Analytical Chemistry I-II 6 s.h.

One of these sequences: 

004:121-004:122 Organic Chemistry I-II 6 s.h.
004:123-004:124 Organic Chemistry I for Majors - Organic Chemistry II for Majors 6 s.h.

One of these: 

004:131 Physical Chemistry I 3 s.h.
004:132 Physical Chemistry II 3 s.h.

Chemical Sciences Lab and Field  Study

Both of these:

004:141 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 3 s.h.
004:143 Analytical Measurements 3 s.h.

Environmental Chemical Sciences Electives

Students must complete at least 6 s.h. of elective courses, chosen from the following list. (Students may petition the chemistry department's environmental sciences advisor to use appropriate 100- and 200-level courses taught in the chemistry department as electives.) A maximum of  one policy course may be included in the 6 s.h. of electives (06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States, and 044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis).
 

004:125 Inorganic Chemistry 2 s.h.
004:162 Undergraduate Research 1-3 s.h.
004:173 Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry 3 s.h.
06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3 s.h.
012:149 Elements of Geochemistry 3 s.h.
012:152 Isotope Geochemistry 3 s.h.
012:194 Environmental Field Methods 3 s.h.
044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues 3 s.h.
044:101 Climatology 3 s.h.
044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States 3 s.h.
044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis 4 s.h.
053:152 Environmental Chemistry I 3 s.h.
053:153 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory 3 s.h.
053:252 Environmental Chemistry II 3 s.h.
099:110 Biochemistry 3 s.h.

 

004:131 Physical Chemistry I (if not taken as a foundation course) 3 s.h.
or 
004:132 Physical Chemistry II (if not taken as a foundation course) 3 s.h.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCES (BROWN) TRACK

The environmental geosciences track provides the essential skills for entry-level positions that require a basic understanding of geologic principles and a working knowledge of basic geologic concepts applied in the environmental industry. The track's aim is to produce scientists who are capable of tackling environmental problems in which earth materials and surficial geologic processes are of primary importance.  The track also lays a strong foundation for graduate study in environmental geology, engineering geology, and natural hazards assessment.

Students must complete at least 34 s.h. of environmental geosciences track course work.

General Sciences 
029:008 Basic Physics 4 s.h.

Students are strongly encouraged to take additional course work in physics.

Environmental Geosciences Foundation

All of these:

012:041 Mineralogy 4 s.h.
012:052 Petrology 4 s.h.
012:092 Structural Geology 4 s.h.
012:136 Soil Genesis and Geomorphology 3 s.h.
012:179 Geology for Engineers 3 s.h.

Environmental Geosciences Field Study
012:093 Geologic Field Methods 3 s.h.

One of these:

00L:142 Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes 4 s.h.
044:180 Field Methods in Physical Geography 3 s.h.
Environmental Geosciences Electives

Students must complete at least 6 s.h. of elective courses, chosen from the following list. A maximum of one policy course may be included in the 6 s.h. of electives (06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States, and 044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis). 

06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3 s.h.
012:108 Introduction to Oceanography 2 s.h.
012:114 Energy and the Environment 3 s.h.
012:119 Directed Study arr.
012:130 Sedimentary Geology/Stratigraphy 3 s.h.
012:138 Fluvial Geomorphology 3 s.h.
012:139 Integrated Watershed Analysis 3 s.h.
012:140 Natural Hazards 3 s.h.
012:149 Elements of Geochemistry 3 s.h.
012:152 Isotope Geochemistry 3 s.h.
012:166 Hydrogeology 3 s.h.
012:172 Glacial and Pleistocene Geology 3 s.h.
012:178 Applied Geostatistics 3 s.h.
012:180 Survey of Geophysical Methods 3 s.h.
012:191 Geotectonics 3 s.h.
044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues 3 s.h.
044:101 Climatology 3 s.h.
044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States 3 s.h.
044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis 4 s.h.
053:050 Natural Environmental Systems 3 s.h.
053:158 Solid and Hazardous Wastes 3 s.h.

ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROSCIENCES (BLUE) TRACK
The environmental hydrosciences track provides the essential skills for entry-level positions that require a basic understanding of geologic principles and a working knowledge of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. The track's aim is to produce scientists who are capable of tackling environmental problems that emphasize hydrogeologic systems and for which substantial knowledge of hydrogeology and water chemistry are essential. The track also lays a strong foundation for graduate education in hydrogeology, hydrology, geochemistry, and aqueous chemistry.
 
Students must complete at least 34 s.h. of environmental hydrosciences track course work.
General Sciences 
029:011-029:012 College Physics I-II 8 s.h.
Environmental Hydrosciences Foundation
Both of these:
 
012:166 Hydrogeology 3 s.h.
012:179 Geology for Engineers 3 s.h.
 
One of these:
 
012:138 Fluvial Geomorphology 3 s.h.
012:139 Integrated Watershed Analysis 3 s.h.
 
One of these:
 
012:149 Elements of Geochemistry 3 s.h.
053:152 Environmental Chemistry I 3 s.h.

Environmental Hydrosciences Field Study

One of these: 

044:180 Field Methods in Physical Geography 3 s.h.
00L:142 Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes 4 s.h.
Environmental Hydrosciences Electives
Students must complete at least 11 s.h. of elective courses, chosen from the following list. A maximum of one policy course may be included in the 11 s.h. of electives (06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States and 044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis).
 
06E:133 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3 s.h.
012:108 Introduction to Oceanography 2 s.h.
012:119 Directed Study arr.
012:130 Sedimentary Geology/Stratigraphy 3 s.h.
012:178 Applied Geostatistics 3 s.h.
012:180 Survey of Geophysical Methods 3 s.h.
012:184 Groundwater Modeling 3 s.h.
044:019 Contemporary Environmental Issues 3 s.h.
044:101 Climatology 3 s.h.
044:122 Environmental Conservation in the United States 3 s.h.
044:125 Environmental Impact Analysis 4 s.h.
044:126 Wetlands: Function, Geography, and Management 3 s.h.
053:050 Natural Environmental Systems 3 s.h.
053:071 Principles of Hydraulics and Hydrology 3 s.h.
053:152 Environmental Chemistry I 3 s.h.
053:153 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory 3 s.h.
053:154 Environmental Microbiology 3 s.h.
 

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The Four-Year Graduation Plan is not available for the environmental sciences major. Students work with their advisors on individual graduation plans.

Honors

Qualified students are encouraged to pursue an honors degree in environmental sciences.  Honors study offers students an opportunity to engage in independent research under the guidance of a faculty sponsor chosen from the Environmental Science Program's affiliated faculty representing six departments (anthropology, biology, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, geography, and geoscience). Students also learn how to write the results of their research in the format of a scientific paper, and they have the experience of formally presenting their research as either a short seminar or a poster.

Environmental sciences students who wish to graduate with honors must be members of the University of Iowa Honors Program, which requires students to maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 (contact the University of Iowa Honors Program for more information).

To graduate with honors in environmental sciences, students must fulfill the following requirements:

complete a B.S. in environmental sciences with a g.p.a. of at least 3.33 in all environmental sciences course work (science and mathematics foundation, environmental sciences foundation and environmental sciences tracks);

submit a research proposal to the honors director within two months of the beginning of the semester in which the research is initiated;

complete a minimum of 6 s.h. of honors research taken over two semesters (002:196 Honors Investigations, 004:162 Undergraduate Research, 012:119 Directed Study, or 044:195 Undergraduate Research, depending on the departmental affiliation of the faculty sponsor);

prepare a thesis presenting the research in the format of a scientific paper with abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions; the thesis must include a title page and abstract formatted according to the specifications of the Honors Program and must be submitted to the honors director at least one week before the Honors Program deadline for submission; and

present either a short seminar or a poster about the research at a professional meeting and/or at The University of Iowa.

Beginning in their sophomore or junior year, students should identify potential faculty sponsors by conducting a web-based survey of the research interests of the program's affiliated faculty. The student should contact potential sponsors to determine who would be willing to sponsor an honors student and what research projects the student might undertake. Students who choose a sponsor whose faculty appointment is not in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must choose a cosponsor who does have a faculty appointment in CLAS. 

After the student has identified a sponsor and the two have agreed on a project, the sponsor guides the student in the preparation of a research proposal that identifies the background, goals, methods, and significance of the research project. The proposal serves as the foundation of the honors thesis, which the student prepares under the sponsor's supervision upon completion of the research. Once the thesis is nearing completion or is completed, the student presents a short seminar or a poster detailing the purpose of the research.

Minor

The minor in Environmental Sciences requires a minimum of 16 s.h. in University of Iowa environmental sciences courses. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. The following courses are required.

159:008/012:008 Introduction to Environmental Science (with lab) 4 s.h.

One environmental sciences foundation course, chosen from these: 

044:005 Foundations of GIS 3 s.h.
159:102/012:102 Earth Surface Processes 3 s.h.
159:110/012:110 Introduction to Applied Remote Sensing 4 s.h.
159:134/002:134 Ecology 4 s.h.


Students also choose 8 s.h. of course work in one of the four environmental sciences tracks (environmental biosciences, environmental chemical sciences, environmental geosciences, and environmental hydrosciences; see "Tracks" earlier in this Catalog section). The courses must include one track foundation course (3-4 s.h.) and one track field study course (2-4 s.h.).
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Updated September 2009