Environmental Science Major (M)

The study of the environment clearly aligns with the University’s mission to prepare Christians for service in the world.  In a society that too often sees faith and science in disagreement, the Christian understanding of stewardship clearly demonstrates alignment of Christian ethics and scientific principles in a way that reflects well on Christianity.  

The combination of CUW’s Christian worldview, proximity to significant ecosystems (notably Lake Michigan), and CCES resources, including new showcase aquaponics and walleye breeding facilities, means that the student will have an opportunity to develop into competent scientists with a Christian worldview. 

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge base: demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to explain major biological and related scientific concepts.
  • Laboratory procedures: demonstrate the ability to appropriately collect and analyze data while utilizing laboratory equipment and procedures safely and effectively
  • Scientific Inquiry: develop investigative and critical thinking skills to explore complex questions and solve challenging scientific problems
  • Scientific Communication: demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific information effectively to both scientists and non-scientists using oral and written forms of expression
  • Vocation and Ethics: recognize how vocations in science provide opportunities for service to Christ and others and necessitate ethical behavior in all aspects of science
  • God’s Design and Stewardship: demonstrate an understanding of how/why a Christian sees evidence of God’s design in nature and how to be good stewards of His creation

Curriculum

Core Requirements45
Major Requirements59-61
Electives14-16
Total Hours120

Major Requirements

Required Courses
Foundation:
Environmental Science (Required Core Course - Natural World: Lab Science)
Calculus I (Required Core Course - Natural World: Mathematics)
BIO 1401
BIO 1402
General Biology I
and General Biology II
8
BIO 3760
BIO 3761
Ecology of the Tropics
and Ecology of the Tropics Lab (Required Core Culture Designation)
4
CHEM 1414
CHEM 1424
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
8
ENV 2500Earth Science4
MATH 2050Statistics I3
PHYS 1514General Physics I4
or PHYS 1714 University Physics I
Environmental tools:
CHEM 2204Analytical Chemistry4
ENV 1400Introductory GIS4
ENV 1500Remote Sensing from Satellites and Drones3
or ENV 3200 Environmental Data Analysis
Policy and social perspective: (Required Core Course - Human Beings & Being Human)
Environmental Ethics
Environmental Law & Politics
Cosmogony
Concentration areas:14-16
Take at least four courses in your area of concentration. The course with an "*" must be taken as one of the four courses in the concentration.
Ecological Concentration
Environmental Chemistry Concentration
Capstone:3
Take at least 3 credits - not necessarily at the same time
Completion of the third credit requires a cumulative output and other summative assessments
Advanced Applied Field Research
Total Hours59-61

 Ecological Concentration 

BIO 2400Botany4
BIO 2500Zoology4
BIO 2600Biology of Microorganisms4
BIO 3400Genetics4
BIO 4100Ecology (*)4
ENV 1600Meteorology3
ENV 2200Water Quality and Aquaponics4
ENV 2400Native Plants of Wisconsin4
ENV 2600Oceanography4
ENV 3200Environmental Data Analysis3
Other courses with approval of the department chair of Life & Earth Sciences

 Environmental Chemistry Concentration

BIO 2600Biology of Microorganisms4
CHEM 2304Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 2414Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 2424Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3214Biochemistry4
CHEM 4524Instrumental Analysis (*)4
ENV 2200Water Quality and Aquaponics4
ENV 3200Environmental Data Analysis (if not taken above)3
Other courses with approval of the department chair of Life & Earth Sciences
Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
BIO 1401 General Biology I 4
CHEM 1414 General Chemistry I 4
ENG 1040 Introduction to Writing 3
CCE 1010 Christian Citizen 3
COMM 1100
Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
3
 Hours17
Semester 2
BIO 1402 General Biology II 4
CHEM 1424 General Chemistry II 4
CCE 1040 Science & Humanity 3
REL 1000 The Bible 3
MATH 2050 Statistics I 3
 Hours17
Semester 3
MATH 2010 Calculus I 4
LEGL 2300
Environmental Law & Politics
or Environmental Ethics
or Cosmogony
3
ENV 1400 Introductory GIS 4
CCE 1030 Western Thought & Worldview 3
HHP 1100 Stewardship of the Body 1
 Hours15
Semester 4
CHEM 2204 Analytical Chemistry 4
ENV 1800 Environmental Science 4
CCE 1020 Western Culture & Worldview 3
CORE 3
 Hours14
Semester 5
MAJOR ELECTIVE 4
ENV 2500 Earth Science 4
REL 1100 Christian Faith 3
HHP 1
CORE 3
 Hours15
Semester 6
ENV 1500
Remote Sensing from Satellites and Drones
or Environmental Data Analysis
3
ENV 4990 Advanced Applied Field Research 1
BIO 3760 Ecology of the Tropics 3
BIO 3761 Ecology of the Tropics Lab 1
CORE 3
ELECTIVE OR MINOR 3
 Hours14
Semester 7
PHYS 1514
General Physics I
or University Physics I
4
ENV 4990 Advanced Applied Field Research 1
MAJOR ELECTIVE 4
ELECTIVE OR MINOR 3
ELECTIVE OR MINOR 3
 Hours15
Semester 8
ENV 4990 Advanced Applied Field Research 1
MAJOR ELECTIVE 4
MAJOR ELECTIVE 4
ELECTIVE OR MINOR 3
ELECTIVE OR MINOR 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours120

Course options and schedule are subject to change.