Change Your Environment
Learn how to think and act critically and creatively to help tackle important environmental challenges such as climate change, alternative energy, sustainability, and the loss of biodiversity with SNHU’s B.S. in Environmental Science program. Based on a strong foundation of natural and physical sciences, the program offers two concentrations to choose from: Natural Resources and Conservation or Environment and Health.
Through coursework, research, independent study, and working closely with your professors, you will gain the communication, interpersonal, and technical skills needed to make a difference in the world. Whether you choose to work for a company, non-profit or governmental agency, or continue your studies at the graduate level, you will leave prepared to meet the growing environmental challenges around the world innovatively and practically.
Program Highlights
- Numerous field research opportunities on and off campus
- Faculty-led domestic and global learning experience opportunities
- Flexible curriculum that allows you to shape your learning experience through concentration courses and free electives
- Professors who bring years of experience researching specific and varied environmental areas
- Small classes that encourage individual learning and working closely with professors on independent study projects and internships that fit your career goals
- One of the most affordable degree programs in New England
Get Ready to Change the World
Regardless of your particular area of interest, the B.S. in Environmental Science program gives you the technical expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge base you will need to address multifaceted environmental challenges creatively and analytically.
You will learn how to:
- Demonstrate effective oral and written communication necessary to construct, evaluate and present solutions to environmental problems
- Describe the structure and function of ecological systems and the interfaces between human and natural systems
- Construct solutions to environmental problems using interdisciplinary approaches
- Demonstrate thorough competence in understanding quantitative and qualitative research methods as applied to questions related to the natural environment
- Apply comprehensive concepts and practical experience to ethical issues related to environmental science
- Prepare for the challenges and expectations of graduate degree programs and/or environmental careers.
With employment opportunities for environmental scientists and specialists expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning your B.S. in Environmental Science from SNHU will help prepare you to capitalize on the growing need for highly-skilled environmental professionals.
Curriculum
The B.S. in Environmental Science provides the flexibility you need to shape your degree around your individual career goals, interests and passion. The curriculum is based on a solid foundation in the natural and physical sciences, so you gain a broad-based interdisciplinary skill set that companies and organizations are looking for to solve complex environmental problems. Because your professors are passionate about environmental issues and bring specific expertise to the program, you can delve deeply into subjects that most interest you.
Required Core Courses
School of Arts and Sciences Required Courses
Select Three of the Following:
Science Foundation Courses
BIO-101: General Biology
Introductory level biology course that includes mammalian cell structure and function cellular reproduction and physiology and basic Mendelian genetics Laboratory exercises BIO 101L to follow lecture topics
BIO-101L: General Biology Lab
BIO 101L is a laboratory course following topics in BIO 101 General Biology Students will gain hands on experience and visual reinforcement of concepts including acid base dynamics enzyme action osmosis and diffusion cellular reproduction and use of microscopes
BIO-315: Ecological Principles and Field Methods
This course introduces students to the principles of ecology and practical methods used in the field Students will explore theoretical topics in the ecological systems including the level of the population community and ecosystem energy flow and biogeochemical cycles and the concept of sustainability Students will read literature and conduct research projects in the field and will use critical thinking to evaluate research design studies present findings and debate on the issues
Prerequisites:
ENV-101,
CHM-101: Fundamentals of Chemistry
This course surveys the major themes of chemistry Topics include chemical reactions acids and bases bonding phases of matter nuclear chemistry and basic organic chemistry
CHM-101L: Fundamentals of Chemistry Lab
This course will use laboratory techniques to study the fundamental principles of chemistry Topics such as the mole chemical equilibria chemical and physical properties solutions kinetics etc will all be covered along with other topics important to chemistry
ENV-101: Environmental Science
This course provides an introduction to the scientific aspects of the environmental field The first part of the course introduces students to the foundations of environmental science while the second part concentrates on the application of these foundations to real life environmental problems Therefore the course not only engages the fundamentals of environmental science but also shows students how science informs sustainability environmental policies economics and personal choice
ENV-250: Environmental Research Methods
This course provides students with an understanding of how to evaluate conduct write and design research Required for environmental science majors it introduces the why when and how quantitative and qualitative methods are used as investigative tools The course follows the scientific method and focuses on how to search the literature write a literature review formulate research questions hypotheses and design experiments to test these hypotheses We will also explore qualitative methods and discuss their use in the field with special attention to conducting interviews case studies and focus groups Students will prepare a research proposal on a topic of interest Formulation of this project begins early forms the basis for a final project and is presented in a mock scientific conference
ENV-344: Environmental Science Colloquium I
This is an issue based discussion course that integrates previous learning with the fundamental scientific principles underlying the issue Discussions will likely include interdisciplinary scientific principles designed to develop issue competency and critical thinking skills Several topics will be explored from either long standing or current environmental science issues Students are expected to conduct extensive research on the topics and communicate their knowledge in both oral and written assignments Topics may change over time but the basic focus on the underlying interdisciplinary scientific principles will remain
Prerequisites:
ENV-101
ENV-444: Environmental Science Colloquium II
This is an issue based discussion course designed to define and explore the multifaceted consequences of environmental science issues Discussions will use the foundations established in ENV 344 to explore the interdisciplinary consequences related to environmental science issues Students are expected to conduct extensive research on the topics and communicate their knowledge in both oral and written assignments Topics may change over time but the basic focus on the multifaceted ramifications will remain Senior standing or permission of instructor
Prerequisites:
ENV-344
Select One of the Following:
PHY-101: Principles of Physics
Principles of Physics explores the major topics of physics thermodynamics and energy forces and motion electromagnetism the nature of the solar system relativity and gravity
PHY-103: Earth System Science
Earth Science presents the basic dynamics of cycles and processes of the Earth including an overview of the origin of the planet its physical and chemical composition and geological and chemical interactions The course culminates in a discussion of the current health of the planet and examines related environmental issues and evidence
Environmental Science Concentrations
Option A - Natural Resources and Conservation (Select Four):
BIO-325: Animal Behavior
This course will introduce the student to the field of animal behavior To gain a full understanding of the complexities of this subject students will be study aspects that influence innate behaviors such as genetics population biology evolution and learned behaviors such as learning theory and cultural transmission The course examines theoretical and conceptual issues in animal behavior using experiments and case studies to highlight examples We will focus on many important biological activities such as mating the role of kinship cooperation communication aggression and play In addition to identifying major patterns and processes of animal behavior we will discuss the observational and experimental techniques used to study behavior and explore the major conceptual models guiding past and current research in this field The course is offered as an upper level science course aimed at environmental science and psychology majors No prerequisite is assigned but students are strongly urged to take introduction to biology and anatomy and physiology prior to the course
BIO-330: Conservation Biology
This course will focus on the importance of biodiversity Currently we are experiencing an unprecedented loss in species losing on average two species a day Unlike past mass extinctions humans are largely responsible Following the Society of Conservation Biology s guidelines for conservation literacy this course will investigate how we can apply biological principals to reverse trends in species loss We will focus on case studies to develop our understanding of what maintains reduces and restores biodiversity The course will be organized into three sections 1 history and value of conservation biology 2 threats to biodiversity and 3 approaches to solving conservation problems
Prerequisites:
ENV-101,
ENV-305: Global Climate Change
This interdisciplinary course brings students up to date on what is known and not known about the causes and consequences of global climate change and about viable response options Topics include analysis of climate drivers such as greenhouse gas emissions and land use changes and investigation of some climate system responses such as increased storm intensity and increased surface temperature Students also explore some of the societal and economic impacts of global climate change By reference to the most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change paleoclimate studies and other authoritative sources students learn how to separate fact from fiction in the often publicized debate about the dynamics of global climate change and about how we should respond to it
Prerequisites:
ENV-219
SCI-218: Natural Resources
This class will introduce the concept of natural resources by studying topics such as land soil rangeland forest water atmosphere minerals and energy The management use and environmental impacts associated with these resources will also be studied Emphasis will be placed on the United States within the context of the global environment
SCI-220: Energy and Society
This course surveys the various forms of energy available to our industrial society The environmental impact and depletion of each energy form is discussed with emphasis on the development of clean and inexhaustible alternative sources for the home and business Topics include traditional and renewable energy sources greenhouse effects transpiration nuclear power and economies
SCI-333: Waste Sources Reduction Remediation
Waste is a major issue in nearly all aspects of society and understanding it is essential when considering the environment and sustainability This class will focus on how waste is produced how to reduce this pollution and how to clean it up once it is released In addition to the physical science we will examine the impact of waste on the economy society and public health
Prerequisites:
SCI-211
Option B - Environment and Health Concentration (Select Four):
BIO-110: Introduction to Public Health
Introduction to Public Health provides an overview of factors associated with disease affecting populations Students will be exposed to the history of public health in the United States its political and social dimensions basic epidemiology and current approaches to issues of public health including health care and health services
BIO-210: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Discussion comparison of the principles of mammalian form and function Includes molecular and cellular mechanisms of major processes such as muscle contraction neural transmission and signal transduction and examines the structure and function of the 11 organ systems of the human body Laboratory exercises BIO 210L to follow lecture topics
BIO-210L: Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Anatomy and Physiology Lab is a counterpart to BIO 210 in which students will examine tissues bones muscles and the major organ systems The laboratory is hands on and will include use of microscopes visual representation in models videos and online dissection
BIO-215: People Places and Plagues
This special topics course will explore the social environmental and community impacts of communicable disease Significant pandemic epidemic and endemic diseases will be examined in light of catastrophic outbreaks that have shaped the course of human history Students will be exposed to the thrilling stories of many people who were involved with these events as victims investigators and scientists Weekly discussion will revolve around students perceptions of disease the future of epidemiological studies and specific questions about microbes and other disease agents
BIO-340: Human Health and the Environment
This course examines major environmental health problems in industrialized and developing countries and evaluates possible future approaches to control of these issues Topics include dose and response to pollutants agents and vectors of contamination air water and soil susceptible populations and risk analysis the scientific basis of policy and decisions and emerging global health problems
Prerequisites:
Take BIO
SCI-215: Contemporary Health
This course exposes students to the three major dimensions of health physical emotional and social Health nutrition substance abuse infectious diseases and stress management are among the issues that will be discussed Students will learn to intelligently relate health knowledge to the social issues of our day For students on program plans catalogs prior to 2012 13 this course does not satisfy the university core science requirement
SOC-318: Sustainable Communities
How do we build a society fit for living This sustainable community development ESCD for answers to this question Students explore the principles and practices of ESCD using pattern mapping of community needs site visits and other experiential learning tools that turn communities into classrooms and bring the challenge of building environmentally sustainable communities to life In the process students identify assumptions that lead to unsustainable social practices and develop the skills necessary to help create livable local landscapes and sustainable local futures through individual and community action
Prerequisites:
ENV-219
Free Electives (32 credits)
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