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
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements 1 | 45 | |
Major Requirements | 58-60 | |
Electives | 15-17 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
- 1
For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.
Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
Foundation | ||
Environmental Science (Required Core Courses in Major) | ||
Calculus I (Required Core Courses in Major) | ||
MATH 205 | Statistics I | 3 |
BIO 367 | Ecology of the Tropics | 3 |
SCI 235 | Earth Science | 4 |
BIO 141 & BIO 142 | General Biology I and General Biology II | 8 |
CHEM 141 & CHEM 142 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | 8 |
PHYS 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
or PHYS 171 | University Physics I | |
Environmental tools courses: | ||
CHEM 225 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
ENV 160 | Introductory GIS | 4 |
ENV 180 | Remote Sensing from Satellites and Drones | 3 |
or ENV 320 | Environmental Data Analysis | |
Policy and social perspective: | ||
Environmental Ethics (Required Core Courses in Major) | ||
or SCI 275 | Cosmogony | |
or LEGL 230 | Environmental Law & Politics | |
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. | ||
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 Hours | 58-60 |
Ecological Concentration
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIO 240 | Zoology | 4 |
BIO 244 | Botany | 4 |
BIO 260 | Biology of Microorganisms | 4 |
BIO 348 | Genetics | 4 |
BIO 410 | Ecology (*) | 4 |
ENV 220 | Water Quality and Aquaponics | 4 |
ENV 240 | Native Plants of Wisconsin | 4 |
ENV 320 | Environmental Data Analysis | 3 |
SCI 195 | Meteorology | 3 |
SCI 246 | Oceanography | 4 |
Other courses with approval of the department chair of Life & Earth Sciences |
Environmental Chemistry Concentration
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIO 260 | Biology of Microorganisms | 4 |
CHEM 235 | Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 241 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
CHEM 425 | Biochemistry | 4 |
CHEM 455 | Instrumental Analysis (*) | 4 |
ENV 220 | Water Quality and Aquaponics | 4 |
ENV 320 | Environmental Data Analysis (if not taken above) | 3 |
Other courses with approval of the department chair of Life & Earth Sciences |