Stephen F. Austin State University

Division of Environmental Science

Areas of Study & Degrees

Interdisciplinary Faculty

Objectives

The Division of Environmental Science is a collaborative unit of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture and the College of Sciences and Mathematics. The objectives of the Division of Environmental Science are:

  1. To provide superior education programs in environmental science that produce graduates capable of understanding and addressing the complex environmental problems facing modern society,
  2. To conduct research directed at developing understanding of and finding solutions to environmental problems, and
  3. To provide outreach and service in environmental science.

Advising and Student Services

All students in the environmental science degree program with 60 hours or less must consult an academic adviser prior to each registration period. Students in this category will automatically have an advising hold that can only be cleared by the adviser following an advising session. Students with 61 hours or more must meet with an academic adviser at least once per academic year; however, it is recommended that every student, regardless of completed semester hours, consult with an adviser prior to each registration period to ensure satisfactory progress on his or her degree program.

Scholarships

The ATCOFA annually awards numerous scholarships totaling more than $90,000 to environmental science, forestry and spatial science students. These are available to undergraduate (including incoming freshmen) and graduate students and are awarded based on academic excellence and/or financial need. Scholarship applications are due by Feb. 1 and are available online on the Financial Aid Office website. Information about other sources of financial aid, including work-study and loans, is available from the Financial Aid Office.

Student Organizations

The primary student organization for environmental science students is the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP). The NAEP chapter provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, network with practicing professionals and engage in social activities.

Definition of the Major

The Bachelor of Science degree program in environmental science requires 124 semester credit hours of course work. The degree program requires completion of:

  1. The university General Education Core designed to provide broad education in the arts, mathematics, and social and natural sciences. (47-49 hours)
    1. Six hours from: ENG 131, 132
    2. Eight hours from: CHE 133, 134 (Labs required)
    3. Three hours from: ECO 232
    4. Six hours from: HIS 133, 134
    5. Three hours from: MTH 138, 143 or 233
    6. Three hours from: MTH 220
    7. Six hours from: PSC 141, 142
    8. Six hours from Humanities*
    9. Six to eight hours from: Communications*
      *See University Core Curriculum Requirements
  2. The environmental science core is designed to provide additional basic science foundation and applied environmental science knowledge and skills. (57 hours)
    1. Eight hours from: BIO 131 and 133 (Labs required)
    2. Three hours from: BIO 313 or ENV 209 (Lab required)
    3. Three hours from: BLW 478
    4. Four hours from: CHE 330 (Lab required)
    5. Four hours from: ENV 110 (Lab required)
    6. Fifteen hours from: ENV 210, 349, 402, 403, 412 (Labs required)
    7. Four hours from: ENV 415 (Lab required)
    8. Three hours from: ENV 420 (Lab required)
    9. Three hours from: ENV 450
    10. One hour from: ENV 470
    11. Three hours from: FOR 457 or ENV 348
    12. Six hours from: GIS 224 and 390 (Labs required
      A minimum grade of "C" is required for each course in the Environmental Science Core.
  3. Student must complete one of two environmental science tracks:
    1. Land and Water Resources (20 hours)
      1. Four hours from: BIO 309 or 450 (Lab required)
      2. Eight hours from: CHE 231 and 420 (Labs required)
      3. Four hours from: GOL 131 (Lab required)
      4. Four hours of electives
    2. Environmental Planning and Management** (20-22 hours)
      1. Three hours from: GEO 310
      2. Three hours from: MGT 370
      3. Twelve hours #Approved Electives
      4. Two to four hours ##Free Electives

**Requires the student to complete a minor or second major in biology, business, chemistry, communications, forestry, geography, geology or spatial science. Student must use approved electives to complete the selected minor.

# Approved Electives: Advanced Level (300-400) courses selected with approval of adviser.

## Free Electives: Courses selected from any discipline offered in the university. Adviser's recommendation is encouraged.

Total semester hours required for degree = 124 hours

Second Major or Minor in Environmental Science

A second major in Environmental Science requires completion of the entire Environmental Science core; a minimum grade of "C' is required for all courses in the Environmental Science Core for students seeking a second major. A minor in Environmental Science requires completion of ENV 110 plus 15 additional semester hours of Environmental Science (ENV) courses. At least 6 semester hours must be at the advanced (300-400) level.

Graduate Degree Programs

The Division of Environmental Science offers the Master of Science (MS) degree in Environmental Science. The 36-semester hour curriculum is a collaborative program with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Students select from two tracks of study. The Occupational and Environmental Health track focuses on environmental concerns related to human health. The Land and Water Resources track focuses on protection and management of natural ecosystems.

Degree Plan and Final Graduation Plan

Prior to the end of the sophomore year, students must select a degree program and prepare a degree plan. The student should see the director of the division or the student services coordinator in the ATCOFA for assistance in preparation of the degree plan. A final degree plan must be filed prior to pre-registration for the semester in which graduation is expected.

Courses in Enviromental Science (EVN)

Unless otherwise indicated, courses are 3 semester hours credit, 3 hours lecture per week.

Courses are offered in the semesters indicated. Except for courses numbered 460 and 463, all undergraduate courses must have a minimum of 10 students to be taught.

110.

Introduction to Environmental Science (ENV 1401) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Introduction to the multidisciplinary study of the environment using the scientific method. Course fee required. Fall and spring.

209.

Forest Ecology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Climatic, edaphic and biotic factors and their relationship to woody plant growth and development. Required field trips. Prerequisite: BIO 131. Course fee required. Fall and spring.

210.

Environmental Measurements - Three semester hours, two hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Introduction to sampling and measuring biological, chemical, and physical parameters of atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial systems. Prerequisite ENV 110. Course fee required. Fall only.

348.

Natural Resource Policy - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Forest history and natural resource policy in the United States including effects of the environmental movement. Spring only.

349.

Environmental Soil Science - Three semester hours, two hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Role of soils in environmental quality, biogeochemical cycles and management concerns. Prerequisite: CHE 134. Course fee required. Fall only.

402.

Wetland Delineation and Function - Three semester hours, two hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Introduction to the history, regulations and current technical criteria for the identification and delineation of wetland boundaries and the functional assessment of wetlands. Prerequisite: ENV 349. Course fee required. Fall only.

403.

Remediation and Reclamation of Disturbed Land - Three semester hours, two hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Remediation and reclamation of contaminated or disturbed lands. Required field trips including two all day trips. Prerequisite: ENV 349, FOR 349, or AGN 331 or permission of instructor. Course fee required. Spring only.

405.

Environmental Communication and Interpretation - Three semester hours, three hours lecture per week. Overview of the field of natural resource communication and interpretation. Of particular interest to those whose careers require public interaction. Fall only.

412.

Environmental Hydrology - Three semester hours, two hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Study of the physical environment of agricultural and forested land, fundamental physics, biological significance, instruments and monitoring techniques. Required field trips. Prerequisite: ENV 349. Course fee required. Fall only.

415.

Environmental Assessment and Management - Four semester hours, three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Environmental planning in the U.S. with reference to the principles and procedures for preparing environmental assessments and impact statements. Prerequisite: senior standing or permission of instructor. Course fee required. Spring only.

420.

Landscape Ecology and Planning - Three semester hours, two hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Structure, function and change within ecosystems measured on a landscape scale. Evaluation of current management techniques for their effects on landscapes. Required field trips. Prerequisites: GIS 224 or AGM 325, BIO 313 or FOR/ENV 209. Course fee required. Spring only.

450.

Air Quality Assessment - Three semester hours, three hours of lecture per week. Fundamentals of air sampling, chemical analysis of samples, data analysis for particles and gases, and air permitting. Instrumentation and techniques relevant to ambient air quality monitoring, source emission testing, and occupied indoor environment. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. Spring only.

460.

Internship in Environmental Science - Three semester hours. Studies of environmental science in an operational setting under the supervision of a cooperating organization. Must be arranged in advance and approved by the director’s office. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of nine credit hours.

463.

Special Problems in Environmental Science - One, two or three semester hours. Individual study in an area of the student’s choice. Must be arranged in advance and approved by the director’s office. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of nine credit hours.

464.

Contemporary Problems in Environmental Science - Three semester hours. Classes conducted on current topics in environmental science. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of nine credit hours.

470.

Senior Seminar - Prerequisite: 15 credit hours in environmental science or permission of instructor. A participatory seminar where students condense, review and present research findings on focused topics. Subject matter varies by semester. Spring only.