Undergraduate Programs

Environmental Sciences

Environmental science is an applied science designed to study those factors that impact our environment. Major areas of environmental concern include, but are not limited to, water (surface and ground water) quality, air quality, and solid and hazardous waste issues. This program is designed to encourage students to use the resources of all the colleges of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The program is oriented toward developing the individual for leadership positions in industry, government, and public concern groups, as well as providing a foundation for individual community involvement as an informed citizen.

Admission to Major: Admission to Major is granted by the department. Minimum university admission requirements are:

• a minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours.
• a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (C).

Contact the department for application procedures.

P/N Grading Policy. All courses leading to a major or a minor in environmental sciences must be taken for letter grades.

GPA Policy. A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses applied to the Environmental Sciences BS degree.

Scholarships: Several scholarships in the Department of Biological Sciences are available for entering freshmen and currently enrolled MSU students who meet the requirements. Application deadline is March 1 of each year.

Environmental Science BS

There are two different ways to earn a BS degree in Environmental Sciences.

Option I: Completion of Two Majors

Required General Education (8 credits):

• BIOL 105W General Biology I (4)
• MATH 112 College Algebra (4)

Required for Major (Core, 28-32 credits):

• BIOL 215 General Ecology (4)
• BIOL 410 Human Ecology (3)
• ENVR 440 Environmental Regulations (3)
• ENVR 450 Environmental Pollution and Control (3)
• ENVR 460 Analysis of Pollutants (4)
• ENVR 498 Internship/Research (1-6)

Choose one of the following:

• BIOL 217 Plant Science (4)
• BIOL 316 Animal Diversity (3)
• BIOL 412 Soil Ecology (4)

Plus two 300-400 level courses from one of the following emphases in Biology:

Aquatic Ecology, Terrestrial Ecology, Plant Sciences, Toxicology, Microbiology, or Techniques.

Note: Courses in these emphases require BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 as prerequisites.

Required for Major (Elective Option):

Elective Option A (6-8 credits, second major in a science):

1. Two 300-400 level courses from one of the following areas: Geography, Political Science, Urban and Regional Studies, Business, or Economics.
2. Electives may be taken from the 300-400 level that are compatible with Environmental Sciences Major. A maximum of 15 credits from one major can be used in the second major.

Elective Option B (8-10 credits, second major in a non-science):

1. Complete one of the following Chemistry sequences:

   CHEM 104 and CHEM 111 or CHEM 201 and CHEM 202

2. Electives from the 300-400 level that are compatible with Environmental Sciences Major. A maximum of 15 credits from one major can be used in the second major.

Required Minor: None.

Option II: Completion of Major Plus 2 Minors

Required for Major (Core, 28-32 credits):

See requirements under Option I.

Required for Major (Chemistry, 8-10 credits):

Choose one of the following sets to complete one year of Chemistry:

CHEM 104 and CHEM 111 or CHEM 201 and CHEM 202

Required (Two Minors):

Select two minors from the following:

Anthropology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Community Health, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Geology, International Business, Law Enforcement, Mass Communication, Physics, Political Science, Technical Writing, Urban & Regional Studies

Environmental Science Minor

Required for Minor (Core, 21 credits):

• BIOL 215 General Ecology (4)
• ENVR 101 Perspectives in Environmental Science (4)
• ENVR 440 Environmental Regulations (3)
• ENVR 450 Environmental Pollution and Control (3)

Option A: Science Major

• ENVR 460 Analysis of Pollutants (4)
• BIOL 410 Human Ecology (3)

Option B: Non-science Major

Choose one set of Chemistry courses from the following:

CHEM 104 and CHEM 111 or CHEM 201 and CHEM 202

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