Future Students

Academics

Environmental Science

College of Sciences


 

QUICK JUMP
  Environmental Science
  Specialization Areas
  Requirements and Core Courses
  International Study
  Master of Science in Environmental Science
  Careers in Environmental Science
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Contact Information

Environmental Science

Environmental science is the study of natural and modified environments and their interactions with biological (including human) systems. Environmental science students gain a comprehensive understanding of the environmental/ecological context, acquire an ability to assess beneficial and disruptive impacts, and learn the methods used to analyze these complex systems.
• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science, minor, master of science, and doctorate
• Available at: Pullman, Tri-Cities (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.), Vancouver (B.S. only)

Specialization Areas

Students create an individually designed program of study based on their interests. A program is developed by selecting appropriate courses for the 21 hours of program electives. Students may devise a specialized program of study in consultation with a faculty advisor or choose one of these nine areas of specialization:
• Agricultural ecology
• Biological science
• Hazardous waste management
• Human ecology
• Environmental education (Students specializing in environmental education can work on endorsements for senior high school teaching certificates with endorsements for the major and minors in physical and biological science.)
• Environmental quality (air and water)
• Natural resource management
• Systems
• Land use planning

Requirements and Core Courses

In addition to the classes listed below, students must complete general education, college, and department requirements, as well as approved science and degree electives. In order to graduate, students must meet the requirements described in the appropriate, official General Catalog. Students should consult with their academic advisor for specific details.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE—CORE COURSES
Chem 105 & 106—Principles of Chemistry I & II
ES/RP 101—Environment and Human Life
Math 140—Mathematics for Life Scientists
     or 171—Calculus I
Anth 101—General Anthropology
     or Soc 101—Introductory Sociology
Econ 101—Fundamentals of Microeconomics
Biol 106—Introductory Biology I & II
ES/RP 310—Modeling the Environment
Phys 101 & 201—General Physics I & II
     or Phys 201 & 202—Physics for Scientists and Engineers I & II
Chem 240—Elementary Organic Chemistry
     or 340 & 341—Organic Chemistry & Lab
ES/RP 335—Environmental Policy
MBios 303—Introductory Biochemistry
     or GenCB 301—General Genetics
     or Micro 301—General Microbiology
Geol 102—Physical Geology
     or SoilS 201—Soil a Living System
Anth 309—Cultural Ecology
Biol 372—General Ecology
ES/RP 490—Special Topics
Stat 212—Introduction to Statistical Methods
     or 412—Biometry

ES/RP 491—Senior Seminar
ES/RP 444—Environmental Assessment

Some substitutions are allowed as approved by major advisor. Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

International Study

The University’s environmental science program is setting the pace in the area of international study. Study and research opportunities are available with the Biological Research Center in western Russia, the Water and Environmental Research and Study Center at the University of Jordan, the Washington State University Agroforestry Program in Malawi, the University of Chile, and Far Eastern State University in Vladivostok, Russia.

Master of Science in Environmental Science

Environmental science offers a one-year master of science degree. Students take two semesters of interdisciplinary course work followed by a six-week summer project. Areas of concentration include environmental quality, ecosystem analysis and management, and ecological planning. WSU undergraduate environmental science majors with a 3.0 GPA or above can matriculate directly into the master of science program.

Careers in Environmental Science

Careers for environmental science graduates include: hazardous materials manager, spatial data analyst, fishery manager, city or regional planner, oceanographer, water resources manager, parks and recreation planner, earth science editor and writer, forester, ground water advisor, marine conservation biologist, marine fish conservationist, water pollution control technician, watershed specialist, health advocate, soil consultant, weather forecaster, ecological restoration consultant, wetland scientist, and sustainable business consultant.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

A variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored scholarships, grants, and loans are available to assist qualified students with education costs. In addition, the environmental science program offers the Lorri and Judy McCroskey, Edward R. Meyer, Rockie Family, and distinguished senior scholarships for undergraduate majors.

Contact Information
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Washington State University
P.O. Box 642812
Pullman, WA 99164-2812
Phone: 509-335-8538
Fax: 509-335-7636
ofallon@wsu.edu
335-8538
 

Strengths of the Program

  • WSU's broad, interdisciplinary environmental science program has an international reputation of excellence in research, education, and outreach.
  • Undergraduates have opportunities to perform research with top research faculty.
  • The program's nearly 70 faculty members represent more than 40 disciplines across the University.
  • Benefit from professors who are experts in such areas as ecological planning, environmental impact assessment, environmental policy, and risk management.
  • Join other science, math, and engineering students in the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence hall—share courses with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s own computer lab.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us