Environmental Sciences, B.A.

The Department of Environmental Sciences offers both Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Sciences (B.S.) degrees. The B.A. degree is intended for students interested in environmental sciences, environmental regulation, environmental planning, or secondary school teaching positions. Additionally, this degree can provide a strong base for entry into graduate studies in any of the environmental sciences or in other areas such as medicine, law, or business. The B.S. degree is a more course-intensive experience, excellent for students planning for graduate school or especially for professional careers in the environmental sciences. Each program has an optional thesis program that is an excellent entry into research, and it is recommended for students planning on going to graduate school.

Universal Curriculum Requirements

To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page .

Program Requirements

Students must complete 30 graded credits of departmental course work with a 2.000 cumulative grade point average in major’s courses. The following are core courses:

EVSC 2800 - Fundamentals of Geology Credits: 3
EVSC 3200 - Fundamentals of Ecology Credits: 3
EVSC 3300 - Atmosphere and Weather Credits: 3
EVSC 3600 - Physical Hydrology Credits: 3
The lectures and labs for any specific core class should (and, in many cases, must) be taken simultaneously.

The interdisciplinary nature of the environmental science’s advanced courses is one of the program’s great strengths and unique features. To take maximum advantage of these courses, students should try to complete the four core courses by the beginning of their fourth year.
- Three credits of non-core 1000- or 2000-level course work, taken prior to declaring the major, may be counted toward the major.
At least 11 credits of non-core courses at the 3000 level or higher must be taken.

The department requires one semester of calculus and two semesters of college-level chemistry, biology, or physics with laboratories.

Students should begin to to fulfill this requirement in their first year by taking:
MATH 1190 - A Survey of Calculus I with Algebra Credits: 4
MATH 1210 - A survey of Calculus I Credits: 3
OR
MATH 1310 - Calculus I Credits: 4
Any two of the following:
CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHEM 1420 - Introductory College Chemistry II Credits: 3
BIOL 2100 - Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 2200 - Introduction to Biology w/Laboratory: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4
PHYS 2010 - Principles of Physics 1 for Pre-Health Students Credits: 3 OR
PHYS 1425 - Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers Credits: 3
PHYS 2020 - Principles of Physics 2 for Pre-Health Students Credits: 3 OR
PHYS 2415 - Introductory Physics 2 for Engineers Credits: 3
Although not required for the degree, to do serious research and compete effectively in graduate school and employment, additional math and science is generally needed. Work in any environmental sciences area necessitates developing an understadning of related fields. Thus, to encourage each student’s success in research and the competition for top graduate schools and jobs, the department suggests students take related work based on their primary areas of interest.
- Ecology depends on a basic knowledge of chemistry (CHEM 1410, 1420) and biology (BIOL 2100, 2200).
- Geoscience, hydrology, and atmospheric science depend on chemistry and physics (PHYS 2010, 2020 or 1425, 2415)
All of these areas depend on calculus (MATH 1190, 1210, 1220, 1310 1320) and the techniques of statistics:
STAT 2020 - Statistics for Biologists Credits: 4
STAT 2120 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis Credits: 4
If the appropriate related work has been accomplished, students can begin the department’s core courses in the first or second year. Students are advised to obtain computer skills and an understanding of statistics as early as possible, and to take additional related sciences as their interests develop.

Grading Standards

Students must complete 30 graded credits of departmental course work with a 2.000 cumulative grade point average in major’s courses.

Transfer Courses

Once a student is enrolled at the University, transfer credits that count toward the major must be approved prior to taking the course and must be consistent with the curricular goals of the department. The department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies is responsible for overseeing the pre-approval of transfer credits.

For all degree programs, students who score a 4 or 5 on the Environmental Science Advanced Placement exam will receive 3 credits for EVSC 1010.

Any three credits of non-core, lower division courses, or advanced placement credit on the Environmental Science exam, may be counted toward the major if taken prior to the declaration of the majors.

NOTE: Only 3 credits of non-core courses below the 3000 level may count toward the major.

Requirements for Specialization in Environmental and Biological Conservation

The Department of Environmental Sciences, in conjuction with the Department of Biology, offers an opportunity for students to obtain the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences with a Specialization in Environmental and Biological Conservation. Canidates for the Specialization must fulfill all the requirements for the Environmental Sciences major.

The requirements for the Specialization are as follows:

Related math and science courses:
MATH 1210 - A survey of Calculus I Credits: 3
MATH 1310 - Calculus I Credits: 4
BIOL 2200 - Introduction to Biology w/Laboratory: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4
CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHEM 1411 - Introductory College Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
OR
PHYS 2010 - Principles of Physics 1 for Pre-Health Students Credits: 3
PHYS 2030 - Principles of Physics 1 Workshop Credits: 1
PHYS 1425 - Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers Credits: 3
PHYS 1429 - Introductory Physics 1 Workshop Credits: 1
Two courses in environmental conservation and biodiversity:
EVSC 2200 - Plants, People and Culture Credits: 3
BIOL 3450 - Biodiversity and Conservation Credits: 3
One course in population ecology:
BIOL 4130 - Population Ecology and Conservation Biology Credits: 3
A capstone seminar in an environmental and biological conservation:
EVSC 4991 - The Theory and Practice of Biodiversity Conservation Credits: 2
The courses must cover each of the following areas:
- Biological diversity – a course focused on a particular group of organisms (e.g. plants, birds, mammals)
- Environmental Diversity – a course focused on a particular habitat (e.g., wetlands, oceans, forests, grasslands, tundra)
- Techniques in Conservation – a course focused on policy, related chemical or physical sciences, statistics, modeling, geospatial analysis or field methods
- Dedicated Field Experience – this can be fulfilled through any field-oriented class (e.g., Stream Watch Internship, Hydrological Field Methods)
  - A field-based independent study or Supervised Research with faculty in Environmental Sciences or Biology
  - A course at a University of Virginia field station (Mountain Lake Bological Station, Blandy Experimental Farm, the Anheuser Busch Coastal Research Center)
  - An internship with a conservation agency
- Substitutions for these classes can be approved by the Specialization faculty coordinator
Students who are interested in this Specialization should consult with the Environmental Conservation Program Coordinator, preferably when declaring their major.

Environmental Sciences Organization

The Environmental Sciences Organization, recognized by Student Council, presents an undergraduate professionalization semnar, field trips, career and job search activities, curriculum review and planning, and many social events. All University students are welcome to join.

Distinction and Prizes

The department participates in the College’s Distinguished Majors Programs designed for highly qualified students. This program must be started early. Information can be obtained from an advisor.

Each year, the department gives the following awards to members of the graduating class who have distinguished themselves academically during their four years of study at the University.

The Wallace-Poole Award to the most outstanding major.
The Wilbur A. Nelson Award, the Mahlon G. Kelly Award, the Michael Garstang Award and the Hydrology Award to students who are outstanding in the areas of geoscience, ecology, atmospheric sciences, and hydrology.
An Interdisciplinary Award to the student who has performed the most meritorious interdisciplinary research.
The Joseph K. Roberts Award to the student who delivered the best paper at the national conference.
The Trout Unlimited Award for excellence in aquatic ecology.

Each year, the department also offers the Bloomer and Mitchell Awards for geosciences-oriented students, and the Hart Family Award to support a student pursuing supervised research during their fourth year.

Research Opportunities

Research projects throughout the department provide a number of employment and experience opportunities for undergraduates.

Students in their third and fourth years are encouraged to gain research experience by participating in faculty research or their initiating their own research projects with faculty supervision. These projects can be conducted for credit arranging with a faculty member to oversee a Supervised Research project (EVSC 4995) or by conducting an Independent Study (EVSC 4993).

Students with a qualifying overall GPA may complete a senior thesis through the Distinguished Majors Program.

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Director of the Undergraduate Program, Department of Environmental Sciences, Clark Hall, P.O. Box 400123, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123; (434) 924-7761; www.evsc.virginia.edu