Catalog Home College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Environmental Sciences

Environmental Sciences

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 undergraduate curricula reflect the diversity in the broad field of environmental sciences and draw upon the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' disciplinary strengths, giving students the 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

• Major in environmental sciences (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science)
• Minor in environmental sciences

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science with a major in environmental sciences requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 80-85 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 General Education Program requirements.

Bachelor of Science students majoring in environmental sciences must 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 additional 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 program's four tracks focuses on areas of specialization within environmental sciences: 

biosciences (green) track—biological systems and ecological approaches;

chemical sciences (yellow) track—environmental systems and chemistry;

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

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.

The environmental sciences major for the Bachelor of Science requires the following course work.

Science and Mathematics Foundation

Students must complete at least 33 s.h. of course work for the science and mathematics foundation, as follows.

One of these sequences:

All of these:

One of these: 

Environmental Sciences Foundation

Students must complete at least 18 s.h. of course work for the environmental sciences foundation, as follows.

All of these:

Tracks for the Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science students majoring in environmental sciences must choose one of the following four tracks. Each track includes required general sciences courses, track foundation courses, field study courses, and elective courses.

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 32 s.h. of environmental biosciences track course work, including one 4 s.h. field course at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

Biosciences Track: General Sciences 

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

Biosciences Track: Foundation

Both of these:

At least 7 s.h. from these: 

Biosciences Track: Field Study

At least 4 s.h. from these: 

Biosciences Track: Electives

Biosciences track students must complete at least 10 s.h. of elective course work, with at least 6 s.h. from the following list. They may include an additional field study course to satisfy 4 s.h. of the elective requirement (see "Biosciences Track: Field Study" above). A maximum of one policy course may be included in the electives [06E:133 (ECON:3330) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 (GEOG:1070) Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:125 (GEOG:4750) Environmental Impact Analysis, and 044:179 (GEOG:3340) Ecosystem Services: Human Dependence on Natural Systems].

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.

Chemical Sciences Track: General Sciences

One of these sequences: 

Chemical Sciences Track: Foundation 

One of these sequences: 

One of these: 

Chemical Sciences Track: Lab and Field Study

Both of these:

Chemical Sciences Track: Electives

Chemical sciences track 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 electives [06E:133 (ECON:3330) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 (GEOG:1070) Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:125 (GEOG:4750) Environmental Impact Analysis, and 044:111 (GEOG:2930) Water Resources].

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 30 s.h. of environmental geosciences track course work.

Geosciences Track: General Sciences 

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

Geosciences Track: Foundation

All of these:

Geosciences Track: Field Study

One of these:

Geosciences Track: Electives

Geosciences track 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 electives [06E:133 (ECON:3330) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 (GEOG:1070) Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:125 (GEOG:4750) Environmental Impact Analysis, and 044:175 (GEOG:3760) Hazards and Society]. 

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.

Hydrosciences Track: General Sciences 

Hydrosciences Track: Foundation

Both of these: 

One of these:

One of these: 

Hydrosciences Track: Field Study

One of these: 

Hydrosciences Track: Electives

Hydrosciences track 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 electives [06E:133 (ECON:3330) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, 044:019 (GEOG:1070) Contemporary Environmental Issues, 044:125 (GEOG:4750) Environmental Impact Analysis, 044:111 (GEOG:2930) Water Resources, and 044:179 (GEOG:3340) Ecosystem Services: Human Dependence on Natural Systems].

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in environmental sciences requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 61-67 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 General Education Program requirements.

Bachelor of Arts students majoring in environmental sciences complete requirements in four areas: the science and mathematics foundation, the environmental sciences foundation, environmental sciences field study, and environmental sciences track courses. 

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 additional courses that focus on the geomorphic and environmental processes that shape the Earth’s surface, the ecological factors that influence the distribution and abundance of organisms, and a choice of one course that deals with remote sensing techniques or with the use of geographic information technologies. The environmental sciences field study gives students hands-on experience with methods of analysis and interpretation of natural systems/organisms.

Each of the program's four tracks focuses on areas of specialization within environmental sciences:

biosciences (green) track—biological systems and ecological approaches;

chemical sciences (yellow) track—environmental systems and chemistry;

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

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

Students select one course from each of three of the four tracks in order to develop breadth of understanding and skill in these areas.

The environmental sciences major for the Bachelor of Arts requires the following course work.

Science and Mathematics Foundation

Students must complete at least 31-33 s.h. of course work for the sciences and mathematics foundation, as follows.

One of these sequences:

All of these:

First semester math and calculus—one of these:

Second semester math and calculus—one of these:

One semester of statistics—one of these:

Environmental Sciences Foundation

Students must complete at least 17-19 s.h. of course work for the environmental sciences foundation, as follows.

All of these: 

One of these: 

One of these: 

Environmental Sciences Field Study

Students must complete at least one field study course (at least 3 s.h.) chosen from the following.

Environmental Sciences Track Courses

Students must complete 9-12 s.h. (three courses), choosing one course from each of three of the following four lists of environmental sciences track courses.

Biosciences (Green) Track

Chemical Sciences (Yellow) Track

Geosciences (Brown) Track

Hydrosciences (Blue) Track

B.A. or B.S. with Teacher Licensure

Environmental sciences majors interested in earning licensure to teach in elementary and/or secondary schools must complete the College of Education's Teacher Education Program (TEP) in addition to the requirements for the major and all requirements for graduation. The TEP requires several College of Education courses and student teaching. Contact the Office of Education Services for details.

Students must satisfy all degree requirements and complete Teacher Education Program licensure before degree conferral.

Joint B.A./M.A.T. in Science Education

B.A. students majoring in environmental sciences who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in teaching may apply to the joint Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching program offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Education. Designed for undergraduates majoring in biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, or physics, the joint program enables students to earn a B.A. and an M.A.T. in five years by beginning to earn graduate credit during their fourth year of undergraduate study and by counting up to 18 s.h. of qualifying credit toward both degrees. For more information, see "B.A./M.A.T. in Science Education" in the Teaching and Learning (College of Education) section of the Catalog. Interested students should consult and advisor.

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 work toward graduation with honors in the environmental sciences major. Honors study offers students an opportunity to engage in independent research under the guidance of a faculty sponsor chosen from affiliated faculty of the Environmental Sciences Program; the program draws faculty members from the Departments of 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. or B.A. with a major in environmental sciences with a g.p.a. of at least 3.33 in all work for the major;

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 (BIOL:4999) Honors Investigations, 004:162 (CHEM:3999) Undergraduate Research, 012:119 (GEOS:3190) Directed Study, or 044:195 (GEOG:3992) 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 an 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.

For examples of honors projects in environmental sciences, see Honors Program/Current Projects on the Environmental Sciences Program web site.

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.

 One environmental sciences foundation course, chosen from these: 

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" under "Bachelor of Science" 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.).

Facilities

Depending on their choice of track and/or courses, students majoring in environmental sciences may have the opportunity to take courses at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, a field station located on West Lake Okoboji, in northwestern Iowa. Run cooperatively by The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa, the laboratory offers courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and provides excellent conditions for summer study in several disciplines. See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory (University College) in the Catalog or visit the Lakeside Laboratory web site.

Courses