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Environmental Science & Regional Planning

Environmental science is the study of natural and modified environments and their interactions with biological (including human) systems. It emphasizes comprehensive understanding of the environmental/ecological context, assessment of beneficial and disruptive impacts, and methodologies to analyze, interrelate and resolve these complex systems. Students acquire the holistic and interdisciplinary perspective and ecological understanding necessary to prepare them for a variety of roles in the study, planning, and management of resources and the environment.

Because of the diversity of these fields, the course of study for each student is flexibly designed in a unique, multi-optional interdisciplinary context. Specializations other than those identified by the Program may be developed based on specific student and faculty interests.

Degree Requirements & Core Courses:

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
This course of study for the bachelor degree in environmental science is organized around the requirements listed below. A sequence of 6 option classes will be designed by each student and the major advisor to provide an individualized area of specialization. Each major must complete 8 hours in a modern foreign language unless he/she has completed two years of such language in high school (or one year in high school and 4 hours in the same language at WSU). The program provides a strong foundation for advanced study in many professional and basic research fields.

Requirements for certification into the Bachelor of Science Program in Environmental Science; 1) completion of 30 semester hours of course work with a gpa of 2.00, and 2) completion of the courses listed in the catalog in the freshman year of the environmental science curriculum with a grade of C- or better. (Courses not required to fulfill university requirements for graduation may be waived for certification.) A typical four year plan of study is shown below:

Freshman Year:
First Term (14 credits)

Chem 105 [P] - Principles of Chemistry I (GER)1
English 101 [W] - Introductory Writing (GER)
GenEd 110 [A] - World Civilizations I (GER)
ES/RP 101 [B] - Environment and Human Life (GER)

Second Term (14 credits)

Chem 106 [P] - Principles of Chemistry II (GER)
English 201, 301 or 402
GenEd 111 [A] - World Civilizations II (GER)
Math 140 [N] or 171 [N] - Mathematics for Life Scientists or Calculus I (GER)1

Sophomore Year:
First Term (14 credits)

Biol 106 [B] - Introduction Biology: Organismal Biology (GER)
Phys 101 [P] or 201 [P] - General Physics I or Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GER)
Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)
Elective class (1st of the 6 option classes)

Second Term (14 credits)

Biol 107 [B] - Introductory Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics (GER)
Intercultural [I,G,K] – (GER)
Phys 102 [P] or 202 [P] - General Physics II or Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GER)
Elective Class (2nd of the 6 option classes)

Junior Year:
First Term (16 credits)

Arts & Humanities [H,G], Intercultural [I,G,K] or Social Sciences [S,K]
Statistics 212 or 412 (biometry)
ES/RP 310 Modeling the Environment
Geology 230 Oceanography
ESRP 490 Special Topics (Environmental Management Systems)
Complete Writing Portfolio

Second Term(16 credits)

Arts & Humanities [H, G], Intercultural [I, G, K], or Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)3
Biol 372 - General Ecology
Soils 201 or Geology 101, 102 or 210
Environmental Policy class
Elective Class (3rd of the 6 option classes)

Senior Year:
First Term(16 credits)

Arts & Humanities [H, G], Intercultural [I, G, K], or Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)3
Tier III Class
ES/RP 444 - Environmental Assessment
Elective Class (4th of the 6 option classes)
Elective class (5th of the 6 option classes)

Second Term (17 credits)

Arts & Humanities [H, G], Intercultural [I, G, K], or Social Sciences [S, K] - (GER)3
Advanced Ecology or Ecosystem Class
Advanced Geology (ie, Geo 303 or 315)
Advanced Biology (ie, MBIOS 301, MBIOS 303 or Bio 462)
ES/RP 491 - Senior Seminar

Preparation for Graduate Study:

Before applying for admission to the graduate programs, a student should have completed an undergraduate curriculum that included examination of a physical, biological, or social system in sufficient depth to serve as background for advanced investigation of one or more of these systems in an ecological context and a minimum gpa of 3.0. For graduate study in environmental science, previous course work in sociology or cultural anthropology, conservation of natural resources, biological science, chemistry or physics, calculus, and ecology is required. General requirements for the Master of Science degree in Environmental Science include 300-400-level or graduate-level courses in ecology; mathematics, statistics, or computer science; applied physical, biological, or social science; environmental impact assessment; graduate seminar; and special topics in environmental science; an option (an area of specialization) with a minimum of 10 credit hours of courses; and a thesis or special project. A minimum of 32 hours of graduate credit is required. The program has been successful in placing MS graduates in a variety of positions with federal, state, and local agencies, industries, and academia, as environmental and resource management specialists. Applicants are expected to have a minimum gpa of 3.0 in their undergraduate field. Prior work experience in planning or related fields is considered in evaluating applicants. Students are required to complete no fewer than 35 graduate credit hours, including a minimum of 9 hours of core planning courses, and 6 hours of thesis or 4 hours of project credit.

Related Information:

School of Earth & Environmental Sciences , PO Box 642812, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-2812, 509-335-3009, Contact Us