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 Courses in Major)
Calculus I (Required Core Courses in Major)
MATH 205Statistics I3
BIO 367
BIO 368
Ecology of the Tropics
and Ecology of the Tropics-Lab
4
SCI 235Earth Science4
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 151General Physics I4
or PHYS 171 University Physics I
Environmental tools:
CHEM 225Analytical Chemistry4
ENV 160Introductory GIS4
ENV 180Remote Sensing from Satellites and Drones3
or ENV 320 Environmental Data Analysis
Policy and social perspective:
Environmental Ethics (Required Core Courses in Major)
Cosmogony
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.
Capstone3
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 240Zoology4
BIO 244Botany4
BIO 260Biology of Microorganisms4
BIO 348Genetics4
BIO 410Ecology (*)4
ENV 220Water Quality and Aquaponics4
ENV 240Native Plants of Wisconsin4
ENV 320Environmental Data Analysis3
SCI 195Meteorology3
SCI 246Oceanography4
Other courses with approval of the department chair of Life & Earth Sciences

 Environmental Chemistry Concentration

BIO 260Biology of Microorganisms4
CHEM 235Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 241Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 242Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 425Biochemistry4
CHEM 455Instrumental Analysis (*)4
ENV 220Water Quality and Aquaponics4
ENV 320Environmental Data Analysis (if not taken above)3
Other courses with approval of the department chair of Life & Earth Sciences