2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
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. 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 one of the approved concentrations and complete advanced elective courses to provide an area of specialization. Students may take a combined maximum of 5 credits total in internship and research courses (ENSC 492 , ENSC 494 , ENSC 496 , ENSC 497 ) 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.
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Civitae Core Requirement (39-40 credits)
Integrated Environmental Sciences majors may count Civitae courses satisfying major requirements as also satisfying their respective Pillar and Perspectives requirements. The following are the courses in this major that may be used in this way:
- MATH 171 can satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning Pillar requirement
- CHEM 111 can satisfy the Scientific Reasoning Pillar requirement
- ENSC 380 can satisfy the Human Behavior and Social Institutions Perspectives requirement
Courses satisfying major requirements that are designated as Civitae Core courses subsequent to the print deadline of this Catalog will not appear in the above listings but will be eligible to also satisfy Civitae Core requirements, subject to the same rules as the others. (If doing so would otherwise decrease the total credits required for the degree below 120, General Elective credit must be substituted to restore the total.)
Additional BS Degree Requirements (4 credits)
Major Requirements (43 credits) (plus 9 credits counted in Civitae)
Core Content Knowledge (20 credits)
Professional Skills (4 credits)
Integrative Abilities (19 credits)
Environmental Science Concentrations (A minimum of 12-13 credits)
A student must complete at least four courses in one of the approved concentrations listed below (Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Social Sciences, or Water Resources).
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 prepared to work 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:
Life Sciences Concentration (A minimum of 13 credits)
Students selecting the Life Sciences concentration will learn about key ecosystems and gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to biology. They will be prepared to work 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:
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 prepared to work 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, HIST 345) can be applied towards the Social Sciences Concentration.
Water Resources Concentration (A minimum of 12 credits)
Students selecting the Water Resources concentration will gain specialized knowledge and skills pertaining to the physical, ecological, and social aspects of the world’s water resources. They will be prepared to work as watershed scientists, hydrologic technicians, soil and water conservationists, stormwater and erosion control specialists, and marine scientists. Students will also be prepared to continue their education in graduate school. Choose four of the following courses:
To provide a sufficiently diverse perspective, no more than two courses with an EASC prefix can be applied towards the Water Resources Concentration.
General Electives (20-22 credits)
Total Credits Required
BS in Integrated Environmental Sciences 120 credits |
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