Environmental Sciences, B.S.

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 40 graded credits of departmental course work with a 2.000 cumulative grade point average in major’s courses.  The B.S. degree in Environmental Sciences is similar to the B.A., except that the course requirements are much more extensive. Because of the more ambitious structure of the B.S. degree, careful planning of course selection and scheduling is essential very early.

• Interested students should contact the department as soon as possible to get help with establishing a program quickly with appropriate adjustments for AP or transfer credits.
  • AP credits in related science or math are especially helpful, as is a strong performance on the foreign language placement exam to remove some of the obligation for these proficiency requirements to be completed upon arrival at the university.

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  The department requires one semester of each of the three basic sciences with their associated labs, such as:

• BIOL 2100 - Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics Credits: 4
• CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I Credits: 3
• CHEM 1411 - Introductory College Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
• PHYS 1425 - Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers Credits: 3
• PHYS 1429 - Introductory Physics 1 Workshop Credits: 1

• NOTE: PHYS 2010/2020 is NOT acceptable for the B.S. Environmental Sciences Degree

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  Along with one year of Calculus, students must complete the following:

• MATH 1310 - Calculus I Credits: 4
• MATH 1220 - A Survey of Calculus II Credits: 3

• OR

• MATH 1320 - Calculus II Credits: 4 (with the latter sequence required by the math department sequence required by the math department for students whoplan to take higher-level mathematics courses)

• NOTE: Students should discuss the calculus requirement with their advisor before deciding on the appropriate option.

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  Additionally, two more semesters of related sciences or math are required, such as:

• BIOL 2200 - Introduction to Biology w/Laboratory: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4
• CHEM 1420 - Introductory College Chemistry II Credits: 3
• CHEM 1421 - Introductory College Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
• PHYS 2415 - Introductory Physics 2 for Engineers Credits: 3
• PHYS 2419 - Introductory Physics 2 Workshop Credits: 1
• MATH 2310 - Calculus III Credits: 4
• STAT 2020 - Statistics for Biologists Credits: 4
• STAT 2120 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis Credits: 4

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  The lectures and labs for any specific core course, like the following listed below, should (and in many cases must) be taken simultaneously.

• 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
• EVSC 2801 - Fundamentals of Geology Laboratory Credits: 1
• EVSC 3201 - Fundamentals of Ecology Laboratory Credits: 1
• EVSC 3301 - Atmosphere and Weather Laboratory Credits: 1
• EVSC 3601 - Physical Hydrology Laboratory Credits: 1

• An additional 24 credits of graded EVSC courses are required. Three of these credits may be taken below the 3000-level (i.e., 1000- or 2000-level), if they are completed prior to declaring the major. The remainder must be taken at or above the 3000-level, and at least one must meet the analytical course requirement.

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  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 isresponsible for overseeing the pre-approval process of transfer credits.

Distinction and Prizes

The department participates in the College’s Distinguished Majors Program 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:

1. The Wallace-Poole Award to the most outstanding major.
2. 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.
3. An Interdisciplinary Award to the student who has performed the most meritorious interdisciplinary research.
4. The Joseph K. Roberts Award to the student who delivered the best paper at a national conference.
5. 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 4th year.

Blandy Experimental Farm and the State Arboretum Of Virginia

The Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum of Virginia are University of Virginia facilities located in Boyce, Virginia at the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley. At this facility, faculty and students conduct research on the ecology of plants, and animals. Field classes from the Departments of Environmental Sciences and Biology conduct laboratory exercises at the facility, and each year an extensive summer program of course work is presented. The research site contains a wide array of habitats including forest, successional fields, pasture, cropland, ponds, and marshes. The State Arboretum of Virginia contains a beautifully landscaped collection of 1,000 species and varieties of trees and shrubs. The facilities also include greenhouses, laboratories, computer facilities, and housing, laundry and dining facilities. Students may participate in supervised research or independent study at Blandy Farm primarily during the summer.

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 initiating their own research projects with faculty supervision. These projects can be conducted for credit by 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 Major Program.

Environmental Sciences Organization

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

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.