Environmental Science
Program Description
The Environmental Science Program offers a specialized, integrated approach to global issues surrounding sustainability, the use of natural resources, how human activity impacts ecosystems, how such activity can cause degradation, and what can be done to mitigate this impact.
Why take this major?
Our program is designed to place graduates into positions in industry, energy and environmental, governmental and private, as well as in graduate programs (science or policy/management), and service institutions and agencies (Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, etc). Students (have been) and will be qualified to work in fields such as oil, gas and coal, alternative energy, environmental management, resource management, land-use planning, environmental policy, and environmental law (upon completion of law school). The Environmental Science program can also serve as a pre-teaching opportunity that prepares students for certification in education. We also understand the need to enhance critical thinking skills and have designed the environmental science curricula to meet this challenge by requiring an eclectic array of courses from many non-science related departments.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students should be able to think critically about problems in environmental sciences.
- Students should understand human actions that advance environmental stability as well as those actions that cause environmental degradation.
- Students should be familiar with the biological, chemical and geological processes related to environmental science.
- Students should be able to interpret scientific data in our sciences.
- Students should be able to use a variety of instruments commonly used to collect data in the field and the software that displays that information.
- Students should be able to communicate both orally and in writing concepts that are essential to the understanding of environmental science.
Program Contact Information
Florence Ling
Assistant Professor
Holroyd Hall 043
ling@lasalle.edu
(215) 951-1848
Degree Earned
B.S.
Number of Courses Required for Graduation
Major: 18
Total: 38
Number of Credits Required for Graduation
Major: 62
Total: 123 to 126 depending on electives chosen
GPA Required for Graduation
Major: 2.0
Cumulative: 2.0
Progress Chart
Level One - Core Courses
12 courses and 2 modules required
Universal Required Courses (4 Courses)
Students must complete the following 4 courses.
ILO 8.1: Written Communication
ENG 110 - College Writing I: Persuasion
ILO 5.1: Information Literacy
ENG 210 - College Writing II: Research
ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives
FYS 130 - First-Year Academic Seminar **
NOTE. The following students use Level 2 Capstone Experience in Major instead of FYS 130: Honors, BUSCA, Core-to-Core, Transfer, and Non-Traditional/Evening.
ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing
REL 100 - Religion Matters
Elective Core Courses (4 Courses)
Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs.
ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning
ENV 153 - Introduction to Enviromental Science
ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning
MTH 120 - Calculus I
ILO 6.1: Technological Competency
CSC 152 - Introduction to Computing: Mathematics/Science Applications
ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/ Collaborative Engagement
Choose course within ILO
Distinct Discipline Core Courses (4 Courses)
Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.)
ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning
Choose course within ILO
ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression
Choose course within ILO
ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning
Choose course within ILO
ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity
Choose course within ILO
Universal Required Modules (2 Courses)
Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules.
The Modules are not required for Transfer Students, Core-to-Core Students, or BUSCA Students. BUSCA students are required to take modules if/when they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
ILO 7.1a
Health Literacy Module
ILO 7.1b
Financial Literacy Module
Major Requirements
Major requirements include 4 Level Two ILO requirements, fulfilled through the major.
Students in this major must complete 38 courses in total in order to graduate. 18 courses will be from this major program.
Level Two (4 Courses)
Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments.
ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience)
Fulfilled within major
Choose one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies
Fulfilled within major
ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course)
Fulfilled within major
Choose on ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility
Fulfilled within major
All Other Required Courses
BIO 210 - Cellular Biology and Genetics
BIO 230 - Diversity, Evolution and Ecology
BIO 320 - Biostatistics
CHM 111 - General Chemistry I
CHM 112 - General Chemistry II
CHM 262 - Organic Chemistry for Life Science
ENV 202 -Earth Materials
ENV 305 -Environmental Chemistry
ENV 310 -Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
ENV 401 -Fundamentals of Soil Science
ENV 402 - Environmental Air Quality
ENV 450 - Capstone
MTH 120 - Calculus I
POL 316 - Environmental Law and Policy
Required Electives
Choose three courses from the following:
BIO 303 -Microbiology
BIO 319 - Plant Kingdom
BIO 400 -Marine Biology
BIO 403 - Principles of Ecology
BIO 404 - Field Ecology
ENV 306 - Hydrology
ENV 460 - Cooperative Education/Internship
ENV 480 - Research
CHM 311 - Instrumental Analysis
PHY 105 - Physics I
PHY 106 - Physics II
ECN 351 - Environmental Economics
ISBT 321 - Fundamentals of Energy and Natural Resources
ISBT 322 - Role of Energy and Natural Resources in Modern Society
ISBT 421 - Nature Resource Management
ISBT 422 - Sustainable Energy Development
ISBT 431 - Regulatory Affairs
PHL 306 - Environmental Philosophy
PHLT 314 - Unhealthy Urban Environments: Healthy Solutions
Free Electives
In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take enough courses to the fulfill graduation credit requirements for their School and major.
Dual Major Requirements
To be determined by Program Director and Chair of other major department.
Minor Requirements
ENV 153
Plus five courses chosen in consultation with Program Director
Recommended Course Sequence
|
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
|
Freshman |
ENV 153 |
ENV 202 |
|
CHM 111 |
CHM 112 |
|
|
Sophomore |
BIO 210 |
BIO 230 |
|
MTH 120 |
BIO 320 |
|
|
CHM 262 |
||
|
Junior |
ENV 305 |
ENV 310 |
|
POL 316 |
ENV 401 |
|
|
ENV 401 |
||
|
Senior |
ENV 450 |
ENV elective |
|
ENV elective |
ENV elective |
Course Descriptions
ENV 152 - Oceanography
This course provides a study of the physical processes that affect the oceans of the earth. Emphasis will be on tides, currents, waves, chemistry of the sea, and geology of ocean basins. Three hours lecture.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Spring, Summer
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ILO Met: ILO 3.1.a - Scientific Reasoning
ENV 153 - Introduction to Environmental Science
This course is an introduction to the field of environmental science, including the historical development of the subject, the current state of knowledge, and the development of humans and the impact they have had on our environment. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory a week. The course includes mandatory field trips.
Number of Credits: 4
When Offered: Fall
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ILO Met: ILO 3.1.a - Scientific Reasoning
ENV 155 - Earth Science
This course covers various topics pertaining to the earth and its place inthe universe. Major aspects of geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy are studied. Emphasis is placed on the interactions of earth systems, and the evolution of our plane
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Fall, Summer
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ILO Met: ILO 3.1.a - Scientific Reasoning
ENV 202 - Earth Materials
This course is an introduction to the materials that make up the earth and their composition, structure, classification and formation. Students will study earth resources and the environmental impact of resource usage. Topics include mineralogy, petrology (the study of rocks), energy, metals, fertilizers, construction/building materials, water and soil. Three hours lecture and three hours lab.
Number of Credits: 4
When Offered: Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ENV 305 - Environmental Chemisty
This course focuses on geochemical processes that occur at or near the surface of the earth which are of particular importance to environmental quality and therefore to humans and ecological systems. Students will explore the foundational concepts required to understand water and soil chemistry, Other topics include the study and use of analytical tools used to determine contamination in sediments, soils and water and the remediation techniques available to cleanup such pollution. Three hours of lecture and three lab hours.
Number of Credits: 4
When Offered: Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
Prerequisites: CHM 111, CHM 112, ENV 153
ENV 306 - Hydrology
Hydrology deals with the physical principles governing the flow of groundwater and surface water. Emphasis will be on well hydraulics and flow system analysis. Topics include water budgets, floods and flood frequency analysis, groundwater supply, steady state and non-steady state flow, hydro-geologic regimes, and introductory groundwater chemistry. Three hours of lecture per week.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ENV 310 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Provides an overview of the basic concepts and uses of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. ArcGIS provides a means to explore data on a spatial level and communicate this information. Students explore GIS tools and learn to manipulate, analyze, visualize, and illustrate geographic data. Students examine relationships, trends and patterns using GIS technology. This course is structured to be a hands-on laboratory that covers both conceptual and technical topics.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ENV 310 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
This introductory course provides an overview of the basic concepts and uses of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. As part of the toolkit for many fields, ArcGIS provides a means to explore data on a spatial level and communicate this information to a broader audience. Students explore GIS tools and learn to manipulate, analyze, visualize, and illustrate geographic data. Students examine relationships, trends and patterns using GIS technology. This course is structured to be a hands-on laboratory that covers both conceptual and technical topics. Three hours of lecture.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ILO Met: ILO 6.1 - Technological Competency
ENV 401 - Fundamentals of Soil Science
An overview of soil science, covering the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Students will gain an understanding of soil formation, the classification of soils, and the chemical/biological reactions that occur in soils. In the laboratory, students will learn methods of soil analysis, including chemical and mineralogical analyses. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Number of Credits: 4
When Offered: Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
Prerequisites: CHM 111, ENV 153, MTH 113 or MTH 120
ENV 402 - Environmental Air Quality
This course introduces the causes and effects of air pollutants on humans. The source of pollutants, their physical and chemical behavior in the atmosphere, and strategies to mitigate air pollution will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to systems modeling to understand the flow of sources and sinks of atmospheric pollutants. Three hours of lecture per week.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Fall
How Offered: Face-to-Face
Prerequisites: CHM 111, ENV 153, MTH 113 or MTH 120 or permission of instructor
ENV 450 - Capstone
To be determined.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Fall, Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
Restrictions: Senior Level Status
ENV 460 - Cooperative Education/Internship
This is normally a full-time, paid employment at a cooperating institution/company to provide on-the-job training (part-time positions may qualify). It involves appropriate job-related learning assignments under faculty supervision. Position must be approved by the Program Director. Consult the Associate Director for Experiential Education in the La Salle University Career Center before registering for the course.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
How Offered: Face-to-Face
ENV 480 - Research
This research is for election by qualified students contemplating advanced studies. It is intended to provide actual research experience under staff supervision. Students are required to present a seminar on their work and to prepare a poster. Permission of the Program Director is required. Hours to be arranged.
Number of Credits: 3
When Offered: Fall, Spring
How Offered: Face-to-Face
Restrictions: Junior or Senior Level Status
NOTE: - Requires courses from other disciplines.
A list of all courses may be found online at Undergraduate > Courses: A-Z.