愛(ài)荷華大學(xué)

Learning Outcomes

Environmental Sciences Program students will:

synthesize scientific knowledge and methods across disciplines,
comprehend and evaluate primary findings in published scientific articles,
gain experience conducting independent research and/or reviewing scientific areas of interest, and
effectively communicate scientific findings in written and/or oral form.

The Bachelor of Science with a major in environmental sciences requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 76-79 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core; some courses required for the major in environmental sciences may be used to satisfy GE CLAS Core requirements.

Bachelor of Science students majoring in environmental sciences must complete requirements in three areas: the science and mathematics foundation, the environmental sciences foundation, and one of four environmental sciences tracks. During their third year of study, students are assigned a faculty advisor who specializes in their track.

The science and mathematics foundation develops fundamental skills and comprehension in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and statistics. The environmental sciences foundation includes an introductory course in environmental science and additional courses that focus on remote sensing techniques, design and use of geographic information technologies, the geomorphic and environmental processes that shape the earth's surface, and ecological factors that influence the distribution and abundance of organisms.

Each of the program's four tracks focuses on areas of specialization within environmental sciences:

biosciences (green) track biological systems and ecological approaches;

chemical sciences (yellow) track environmental systems and chemistry;

geosciences (brown) track earth materials and surficial geologic processes; and

hydrosciences (blue) track hydrogeology and hydrogeologic systems, and water chemistry.

The tracks aim to prepare scientists who can tackle problems that require particular areas of expertise, and to help students develop the skills needed for future employment or graduate study.

Graduates are prepared for careers in conservation, environmental assessment, hazardous waste management, park inspection and compliance, or pollution control and monitoring.

The undergraduate degree program also prepares students for graduate study in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, ecosystem sciences, environmental engineering, environmental law, environmental science, environmental sustainability, geoscience, hydrologic sciences, natural resource management, remote sensing and landscape modeling, renewable energy, and urban and regional planning.

The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.