Bachelor of Science, Major in Environmental Science (Sustainability)

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Science, Major in Environmental Science (Sustainability)
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 33
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 43
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 54
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 1411General Botany4
or BIOL 1406 General Biology I
BIOL 1413General Zoology4
or BIOL 1407 General Biology II
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I4
MATH 1314Pre Calculus Algebra 13
or MATH 1410 Elementary Functions
or MATH 1420 Calculus I
MATH 1342Elementary Statistics3
or MATH 3379 Statistical Mthods in Practice
or STAT 3379 Statistical Methds in Practice
Major: Foundation
BIOL 1401Environmental Science 24
BIOL/GEOG 3320Sustainability & Environment3
BIOL 3409General Ecology4
BIOL 4374Biostatistics3
ECON 3352Energy & Environmental Econ 43
or GEOG 4351 Economic Geography
GEOG 1401Weather and Climate 24
GEOG 2464Intro to Geographic Info Sys4
GEOG 3310Sustainable Development3
GEOG 4331Conservation of Natural Res3
GEOG 4432Geomorphology3-4
or GEOG 4330 Hydrology and Water Resources
GEOG 4361Geographic Information Systems for Public Health3-4
or GEOG 4365 Applied Geographic Info Systms
or GEOG 4468 Remote Sensing
Select one of the following:4
Physical Geology
Geologic & Environmental Hazards
GEOL 3326Environmental Geology3
PLSC 3440Soil Science4
POLS 3395Environmental Policy3
SOCI 4337Environment And Society3
or COMS 3393 Environmental Communication
Major: Prescribed Advanced Electives
Select 17 hours from the following advanced electives:17
Soil & Water Conservation Engr
Wildlife Biology
Aquatic Biology
Environmental Communication
Intro to Technical Writing
Environmental Geography
Earth and Environment Seminar
Hydrology and Water Resources
Field Studies
Urban Geography
Population Geography
Geographic Information Systems for Public Health
Applied Geographic Info Systms
Environmental and Geoscience Internship
Geomorphology
Remote Sensing
Oceanography
Earth and Environment Seminar
Economic Geology
Environmental and Geoscience Internship
Hydrogeology
Environmental Health
Environmental Ethics
Soil Fertility Mgt Fertilizers
Forage Crops & Pasture Mgmt
Integrated Pest Management
Environment And Society
Principles of Wildlife Mgmt
Habitat & Pond Management
Minor: Not Required 6,7
Total Hours120-122
1

MATH 1314 needed as a prerequisite for CHEM 1411 and BIOL 4374. In addition, satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

2

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

3

SOCI 2319 satisfies Component Area VIII (Social and Behavorial Sciences) as well as serves as a prerequisite for SOCI 4337 and SOCI 4339.

4

ECON 2301 satisfies Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) as well as serves as a prerequisite for ECON 3352.

5

GEOG 2355 or GEOG 2356 is recommended plus 1 semester credit hour.

6

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. All minors can be paired with this degree program.

7

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 140114Component Area IX1
ENGL 130123CHEM 141144
GEOG 140114ENGL 130223
HIST 130133GEOL 1403 or 140514
MATH 131443HIST 130233
 17 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area V3Component Area IV73
Component Area VIII53Component Area IX83
BIOL 1411 or 14064BIOL 1413 or 14074
MATH 1342, 3379, or STAT 33793GEOG 24644
POLS 230563POLS 230663
 16 17
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 3320 or GEOG 33203ECON 3352 or GEOG 435153
BIOL 34094GEOG 4432 or 43303 or 4
GEOG 43313GEOL 33263
GEOG 4468 or 43613 or 4POLS 33953
 Prescribed Electives93
 13-14 15-16
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 437443Prescribed Electives93
GEOG 33103Prescribed Electives94
PLSC 34404Prescribed Electives93
Prescribed Electives94SOCI 4337 or COMS 33933
 14 13
Total Hours: 120-122
1

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

4

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics). MATH 1314 satisfies prerequisite requirement for CHEM 1411 and BIOL 4374.

5

ECON 2301 satisfies Component Area VIII (Social and Behavorial Sciences) as well as serves as a prerequisite for ECON 3352.

6

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

7

SOCI 2319 satisfies Component Area VIII (Social and Behavorial Sciences) as well as serves as a prerequisite for SOCI 4337 and SOCI 4339.

8

GEOG 2355 or GEOG 2356 is recommended plus 1 semester credit hour. 

9

See, Major: Prescribed Advanced Elective (Environmental Science) course list below.

Prescribed Electives 917
Select 17 hours from the following advanced electives:
AGET 3383Soil & Water Conservation Engr3
BIOL 3461Wildlife Biology4
BIOL 4330Aquatic Biology3
COMS 3393Environmental Communication3
ENGL 3330Intro to Technical Writing3
GEOG 3301Environmental Geography3
GEOG 4100Earth and Environment Seminar1
GEOG 4330Hydrology and Water Resources3
GEOG 4333Field Studies3
GEOG 4356Urban Geography3
GEOG 4357Population Geography3
GEOG 4361Geographic Information Systems for Public Health3
GEOG 4365Applied Geographic Info Systms3
GEOG 4399Environmental and Geoscience Internship3
GEOG 4432Geomorphology4
GEOG 4468Remote Sensing4
GEOL 3330Oceanography3
GEOL 4100Earth and Environment Seminar1
GEOL 4312Economic Geology3
GEOL 4399Environmental and Geoscience Internship3
GEOL 4426Hydrogeology4
HLTH 4390Environmental Health3
PHIL 4334Environmental Ethics3
PLSC 4330Soil Fertility Mgt Fertilizers3
PLSC 4370Forage Crops & Pasture Mgmt3
PLSC 4397Integrated Pest Management3
SOCI 4337Environment And Society3
WMGT 2301Principles of Wildlife Mgmt3
WMGT 3382Habitat & Pond Management3

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. All minors can be paired with this degree program.

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Environmental Science (Sustainability) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Use the scientific method to address environmental problems.
  • Think critically.
  • Generate and/or interpret geospatial data based geographic information systems (GIS) and/or remote sensing.
  • Apply knowledge of the environment and ecosystems to address environmental issues.
  • Interdisciplinary problem solvers that can integrate Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience, and social science.