Environmental Studies Major (M)
A strong focus on Christian environmental stewardship is increasingly important in many parts of society. The Concordia Center for Environmental Stewardship (CCES) provides a wonderful resource for students whose interests are primarily in science or other areas. This major engages student with many facets of the environment. It is often coupled with minors in art, business, chemistry, or justice and public policy, leading to careers in environmental education at nature centers, sustainable business practices, environmental science, park rangers, or law school.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to explain major biological and related scientific concepts (Knowledge Base of Biology and Related Sciences);
- Demonstrate the ability to appropriately collect and analyze data while utilizing laboratory equipment and procedures safely and effectively (Biological Procedures and Data)
- Develop investigative and critical thinking skills to explore complex questions and solve challenging scientific problems (Scientific Inquiry);
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific information effectively to both scientists and non-scientists (Scientific Communication);
- Recognize how vocations in science provide opportunities for service to Christ and others and necessitate ethical behavior in all aspects of science (Vocation and Ethics)
- 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 (God’s Design and Stewardship).
Curriculum
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | 45 | |
Major Requirements | 45-47 | |
Electives | 4-12 | |
Minor: Required | 18-24 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
Major Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Core Courses | ||
Environmental Science (Lab Science) | ||
Public Speaking (Communication) | ||
or COMM 201 | Interpersonal Communication | |
Environmental Law & Politics (Human Beings and Being Human) | ||
Statistics I (Mathematics) | ||
Required Courses | ||
Foundation | ||
BIO 141 | General Biology I | 4 |
or BIO 151 | Functional Human Biology I | |
BIO 142 | General Biology II | 4 |
or BIO 152 | Functional Human Biology II | |
BIO 240 | Zoology | 4 |
or BIO 244 | Botany | |
BIO 367 | Ecology of the Tropics (Travel Course) | 3 |
BIO 410 | Ecology | 4 |
CHEM 105 | Elements of General and Biological Chemistry | 4 |
or CHEM 141 | General Chemistry I | |
PHIL 240 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
or PHIL 350 | Bioethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Society | |
ENV 130 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
ENV 160 | Introductory GIS | 3-4 |
or ENV 180 | Remote Sensing from Satellites and Drones | |
or ENV 220 | Water Quality and Aquaponics | |
or ENV 240 | Native Plants of Wisconsin | |
or ENV 320 | Environmental Data Analysis | |
SCI 235 | Earth Science | 3-4 |
or SCI 195 | Meteorology | |
or SCI 246 | Oceanography | |
Capstone | ||
Select 2 credits of the following: | 2 | |
Biology Senior Seminar (fall and/or spring, 1 cr. each) | ||
Advanced Applied Field Research (can be taken for 1-3 credits) | ||
Major Electives | ||
Select 8 credits of the following (If a course was selected for the Foundation, it cannot be repeated in the Electives section): | 8 | |
BIO 146 | Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
BIO 240 | Zoology | 4 |
BIO 244 | Botany | 4 |
BIO 260 | Biology of Microorganisms | 4 |
BIO 348 | Genetics | 4 |
BIO 368 | Ecology of the Tropics-Lab | 1 |
CHEM 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
ENV 160 | Introductory GIS | 4 |
ENV 180 | Remote Sensing from Satellites and Drones | 3 |
ENV 220 | Water Quality and Aquaponics | 4 |
ENV 240 | Native Plants of Wisconsin | 4 |
ENV 320 | Environmental Data Analysis | 3 |
PHYS 108 | Introductory Astronomy | 4 |
PHYS 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
PHYS 152 | General Physics II | 4 |
SCI 195 | Meteorology | 3 |
SCI 235 | Earth Science | 4 |
SCI 246 | Oceanography | 4 |
SCI 275 | Cosmogony | 3 |
Or other courses approved by the department chair of Life & Earth Sciences | ||
Total Hours | 45-47 |