Integrated Environmental Sciences, BS

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The integrated environmental sciences major at Longwood provides an interdisciplinary perspective to develop citizen leaders who are equipped to understand complex environmental issues. The major provides strong foundational knowledge in natural and social sciences and heavily emphasizes practical skills and integrated critical thinking throughout the curriculum. Students will receive training that is appropriate preparation for graduate studies or careers in research, teaching, industry, government, or nonprofit organizations.

The major requires core competency courses in life sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, and social sciences. Additional coursework emphasizes the development of quantitative and communication skills. The hallmark of the curriculum is the integrative courses that are required throughout each year of coursework, bringing together the core competency knowledge and skills to engage in critical thinking about environmental issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. In addition, students must choose a specialization in one of the core competency areas to complete advanced elective courses.

Students may take a maximum of 5 credits total in internship (ENSC 492 , ENSC 494 ) and research (ENSC 496 , ENSC 497 ) courses for quality points (A, B, and C grades). Beyond 5 credits, such courses must be taken on a pass/fail basis. With approval of the department chair, students may substitute 3 or more credits of internship/research for one course in the student’s concentration, providing that the internship/research is focused in the area of the concentration. A minimum grade of C- must be earned in every prerequisite to ENSC courses and all courses listed under the integrated environmental sciences major requirements.

Transfer Student

The Integrated Environmental Sciences (IES) Major is a four-year BS degree program. Therefore, a transfer student can expect to spend a minimum of three years within the IES program. A student planning to transfer to Longwood’s IES program is encouraged to contact the Chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences for questions about the student’s transfer plans.

General Education Core Requirement (37 credits)

Please see the General Education section of this catalog for options for other Goals.

MATH 171 - Statistical Decision Making is required for General Education Goal 5.
PHYS 103 - Conceptual Physics is required for General Education Goal 6.
PHIL 316 - Environmental Ethics is required for General Education Goal 12.
ENSC 490 - Directed or Independent Study satisfies General Education Goal 14.
or
ENSC 492 - Internship in Environmental Science satisfies General Education Goal 14.
or
ENSC 496 - Research in Environmental Science satisfies General Education Goal 14.
or
ENSC 498 - Honors Research in Environmental Science satisfies General Education Goal 14.

Additional BS Degree Requirements (7 credits)

MATH 301 - Applied Statistics (MATH 171 prerequisite)
CHEM 111 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I

Major Requirements (51 credits)

(Courses noted with * are satisfied under either General Education Requirements or Additional BS Degree Requirements and are not double-counted here.)

Core Content Knowledge (26 credits)

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences

CHEM 111 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I * (satisfied by Additional Degree Requirements)
CHEM 112 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II
PHYS 103 - Conceptual Physics * (satisfied by General Education Goal 6)

Earth Sciences

Social Sciences

Professional Skills (7 credits)

COMM 101 - Public Speaking
GEOG 275 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
MATH 171 - Statistical Decision Making * (satisfied by General Education Goal 5)
MATH 301 - Applied Statistics * (satisfied by Additional Degree Requirements)

Integrative Abilities (18 credits)

ENSC 101 - Introduction to Integrated Environmental Sciences
ENSC 201 - Integrated Environmental Investigations
ENSC 340 - Global Environmental Issues
ENSC 401 - Environmental Planning and Management
ENSC 402 - Environmental Decision Making
ENSC 492 - Internship in Environmental Science (satisfies General Education Goal 14)
or
ENSC 496 - Research in Environmental Science (satisfies General Education Goal 14)
or
ENSC 490 - Directed or Independent Study (satisfies General Education Goal 14)
or
ENSC 498 - Honors Research in Environmental Science (satisfies General Education Goal 14)

Environmental Science Concentrations (A minimum of 12-14 credits)

A student must complete at least four courses in one of the approved concentrations listed below (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth Sciences, or Social Sciences).

Life Sciences Concentration (A minimum of 14 credits)

Students selecting the Life Sciences concentration will learn about key ecosystems and gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to biology. They will be employable as environmental scientists and technicians, conservation biologists, environmental microbiology analysts, wildlife biologists, foresters, park naturalists and managers, and natural resources managers. Students also will be prepared to continue their education in graduate school.

Choose two of the following courses:

Physical Sciences Concentration (A minimum of 14 credits)

Students selecting the Physical Sciences concentration will gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to environmental chemistry and chemical analysis. They will be employable as environmental scientists, technicians, and chemists. Students also will be prepared to continue their education in graduate school.

Choose four of the following courses:

(lecture and lab combination counts as one course)

Earth Sciences Concentration (A minimum of 13 credits)

Students selecting the Earth Sciences concentration will gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to Earth’s water resources, climate, and processes that shape the physical landscapes. They will be employable as environmental scientists and technicians, soil and water conservationists, and natural hazards analysts. Students also will be prepared to continue their education in graduate school.

Choose four of the following courses:

Social Sciences Concentration (A minimum of 12 credits)

Students selecting the Social Sciences concentration will gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to the intersection of human activities and conservation. They will be employable as environmental scientists and technicians, managers of environmental outreach and educational programs, land consultants, policy advisors, and eco-tourism guides. Students also will be prepared to continue their education in graduate school.

Choose four of the following courses:

*To provide a sufficiently diverse social sciences perspective, no more than two of the regional studies courses (GEOG 352 , GEOG 353 , GEOG 403 , GEOG 404 , HIST 427) can be applied towards the Social Sciences Concentration.

General Electives (10-13 credits)

Total Credits Required

BS in Integrated Environmental Sciences 120 credits