2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Integrated Environmental Sciences, BS
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 Return to: Programs of Study
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.
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Civitae Core Requirement (39-40 credits)
Civitae Core
Integrated Environmental Sciences majors may count Civitae Core 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:
- COMM 101 can satisfy the Aesthetic Expression Pillar requirement
- HLTH 210 can satisfy the Global Citizenship Pillar requirement, for students who place into a 211-level language course or above
- MATH 171 can satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning Pillar requirement
- CHEM 111 can satisfy the Scientific Reasoning Pillar requirement
- MATH 301 can satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning 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.)
Transfer students go to Transfer Student General Education for requirements.
Additional BS Degree Requirements (4 credits)
Major Requirements (52 credits) (plus 9 credits included in Core Curriculum)
Core Content Knowledge (27 credits)
Professional Skills (7 credits)
Integrative Abilities (18 credits)
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 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 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 345) can be applied towards the Social Sciences Concentration.
General Electives (10-13 credits)
Total Credits Required
- BS in Integrated Environmental Sciences 120 credits
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