Bachelor of Science, Major in Environmental Science (Pollution Abatement)
Environmental Science Degree
Coordinator: Ross Guida (936) 294-1233
Website: Department of Environmental and Geosciences
Environmental scientists seek to protect both environmental and human health by assessing problems and seeking to find solutions through field, lab, and/or computer-based work. Working in environmental science-related jobs can involve collecting and analyzing soil, water, or air samples, mapping wetlands and disasters, or modeling how pollution is moving through rivers, aquifers, and the air. Environmental Scientists may even find themselves informing the general public about hazards or testifying in court cases.
Environmental Scientists:
- Work in the private sector, government, or non-governmental positions
- Work in environmental consulting and for environmental engineering firms
- Work on enforcing or improving environmental regulations, laws, and policies
- Advise government officials responsible for developing policies
- Assess possible environmental and health impacts of development projects
- Serve as community advocates to ensure clean water and air for vulnerable populations
No matter the sector they work in, environmental scientists are typically broadly trained across multiple disciplines. Course work for environmental science is hands-on and lab-science heavy, including Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, and Soil Science. In addition to being well versed in analyzing data using mathematical and statistical methods, environmental scientists must also have strong writing and oral communication skills. Further, it is important that environmental scientists understand societal impacts and the context of their physical science work through additional perspectives drawn from human geography, sociology, and political science.
Academic Programs
The Environmental Science degree has a choice of three tracks/concentrations and is designed to fit the particular academic interests of our students and better prepare them for life beyond SHSU, particularly in terms of employment opportunities or graduate study. Students majoring in Environmental Science focus their studies within one of three concentrations: 1) Sustainability; 2) Pollution Abatement; or 3) Water Resources. All three concentrations require several core lab science courses in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, and Geology to provide an interdisciplinary foundation for upper-level coursework. Sustainability allows for more elective courses for those that want a broad Environmental Science background and more social science courses. Pollution Abatement is designed for students that want to focus on Biology and Chemistry-related Environmental Science work. Water Resources provides students with a strong foundation to assess water-related issues and includes courses in Aquatic Biology, Surface Water, Groundwater, and Water Quality-related applications. Across the Environmental Science concentrations, students gain experience in labs and the field. Students are also encouraged to pursue internship opportunities that can be counted toward prescribed major elective hours.
Highlights
Combining the strengths of SHSU’s Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental and Geosciences programs, Environmental Science is a great choice for students that want to help communities and solve problems. It’s also a great choice for students that like science but have a hard time picking just one area of scientific interest. Students get diverse perspectives from different physical scientists and take some selected social science courses to understand how Environmental Science fits in a broad societal context. While the home of the program is located on the third floor of the Lee Drain Building, where the Geographic Information System (GIS) lab, remote sensing lab, Geology labs, and GPS units are located, students in Environmental Science have access to Chemistry labs and the state-of-the-art Biological Lab Sciences building. Multiple trips to SHSU’s Field Station are also included through multiple courses. Students in Environmental Science have access to the College of Science and Engineering Technology's two 12-passenger vans for field trips and equipment across multiple contributing physical science departments. In order to enhance learning, all of our rooms are outfitted with video-projection systems, and our lecture rooms have sound systems and dedicated computers with Internet access that are used by the instructors for teaching purposes. A number of our students obtain internships with Houston-area firms and organizations and other companies and agencies across the state and beyond. Students also work with faculty members on a range of research projects. While there are some online elective course options, Environmental Science includes multiple hands-on, lab-oriented courses. The degree also regularly offers a number of field opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom. Some of these field courses involve travel and/or international experiences and have included trips to central Texas, the Texas coast, Hawaii, Central America, Europe, and Africa.
Career Opportunities
Because of the breadth of Environmental Science, there is a wide variety of career opportunities for graduates. These opportunities include careers in the following:
- Environmental Consulting
- Environmental Planning
- Environmental Policy and Politics
- Environmental compliance (inc. for Construction and Oil and Gas companies)
- Water management and policy
- Waste remediation and management
- Environmental Engineering
- Sustainability officer
- Conservation
- Environmental Protection
- Environmental Law
- Emergency Management
- Lab analyst (air, soil, water, contamination, etc.)
- Public Health
- Department of Transportation
- City, county, state, and federal government
- Education
- Military
Environmental Scientists’ broad backgrounds allow them to solve problems that require multiple disciplinary perspectives. Environmental scientists often work in the field, lab, or both. Many also write up reports that relate to development and current regulations and policies.
Suggested Minors
- NO MINOR IS REQUIRED WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJOR
- If students choose to do a minor, it may add time to their degree plan.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science, Major in Environmental Science (Pollution Abatement) | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) 1 | 3 | |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 2 | 8 | |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 3 | 3 | |
| 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) 4 | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 5 | 4 | |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| BIOL 1406 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 1407 | General Biology II | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH 1342 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| or STAT 3379 | Statistical Methods in Practice | |
| or MATH 3379 | Statistical Methods in Practice | |
| MATH 1420 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Major: Foundation | ||
| BIOL 1401 | Environmental Science | 4 |
| BIOL 3320 | Sustainability & Environment | 3 |
| or GEOG 3320 | Sustainability & Environment | |
| BIOL 3409 | General Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 4330 | Aquatic Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 4374 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| CHEM 2323 & CHEM 2123 | Organic Chemistry I: Lecture and Organic Chemistry I: Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 2401 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 3368 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| GEOG 1401 | Weather and Climate 2 | 4 |
| GEOG 4331 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| GEOL 1403 | Physical Geology 2 | 4 |
| GEOL 3326 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 4426 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
| GEOL 4304 | Geochemistry | 3 |
| PLSC 3440 | Soil Science | 4 |
| POLS 3395 | Environmental Policy | 3 |
| Major: Prescribed Electives | ||
| Select 11 hours from the following (at least 9 hours must be advanced): | 11 | |
| Soil & Water Conservation Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Applied Microbiology | ||
| Wildlife Biology | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Environmental Toxicology | ||
| Organic Chemistry II: Lab | ||
| Organic Chemistry II: Lecture | ||
| Air Quality | ||
| Energy and Environmental Economics | ||
| Introduction to Technical Writing | ||
| Environmental Geography | ||
| Sustainable Development | ||
| Earth and Environment Seminar | ||
| Hydrology and Water Resources | ||
| Field Studies | ||
| Geographic Information Systems for Public Health | ||
| Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | ||
| Environmental and Geoscience Internship | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Remote Sensing | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Earth and Environment Seminar | ||
| Economic Geology | ||
| Environmental and Geoscience Internship | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Soil Fertility Management and Fertilizers | ||
| Forage Crops and Pasture Management | ||
| Integrated Pest Management | ||
| Principles of Wildlife Management | ||
| Habitat & Pond Management | ||
| Minor: Not Required 6 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
MATH 1420 is suggested, if eligible; otherwise, take MATH 1314. MATH 1420 satisfies three semester credit hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) and one semester credit hour for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).
- 2
Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).
- 3
- 4
ECON 2301 or ECON 2302. ECON 2301 is needed as a prerequisite for ECON 3352.
- 5
GEOG 2355 or GEOG 2356 is suggested plus one additional credit hour from Component Area IX (Component Area Option) if MATH 1420 or MATH 1410 are not taken.
- 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 credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IV1 | 3 | Component Area IX5 | 3 |
| CHEM 1411 | 4 | BIOL 1401 | 4 |
| ENGL 13012 | 3 | CHEM 1412 | 4 |
| HIST 13013 | 3 | ENGL 13022 | 3 |
| MATH 1420 (If eligible)4 | 4 | HIST 13023 | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 1406 | 4 | BIOL 1407 | 4 |
| CHEM 2123 | 1 | CHEM 2401 | 4 |
| CHEM 2323 | 3 | GEOG 14016 | 4 |
| GEOL 14036 | 4 | POLS 23067 | 3 |
| POLS 23057 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area V | 3 | BIOL 3409 | 4 |
| Component Area VIII8 | 3 | GEOL 3326 | 3 |
| BIOL 3320 or GEOG 3320 | 3 | MATH 1342, 3379, or STAT 3379 | 3 |
| CHEM 3368 | 3 | POLS 3395 | 3 |
| PLSC 3440 | 4 | ||
| 16 | 13 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 4330 | 3 | GEOG 4331 | 3 |
| BIOL 4374 | 3 | Prescribed Electives9 | 3 |
| GEOL 4304 | 3 | Prescribed Electives9 | 8 |
| GEOL 4426 | 4 | ||
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
- 2
Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).
- 3
Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).
- 4
Satisfies three semester credit hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) and one semester credit hour for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).
- 5
GEOG 2355 or GEOG 2356 is suggested plus one additional credit hour from Component Area IX (Component Area Option) if MATH 1420 or MATH 1410 are not taken.
- 6
Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).
- 7
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 8
ECON 2301 or ECON 2302. ECON 2301 is needed as a prerequisite for ECON 3352.
- 9
See, Prescribed Electives course listing below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Electives 9 | ||
| Select 11 hours from the following (at least 9 hours must be advanced): | 11 | |
| AGET 3383 | Soil & Water Conservation Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 2420 | Introduction to Applied Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL 3461 | Wildlife Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 3470 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL 4320 | Environmental Toxicology | 3 |
| CHEM 2125 | Organic Chemistry II: Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 2325 | Organic Chemistry II: Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 4442 | Air Quality | 4 |
| ECON 3352 | Energy and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ENGL 3330 | Introduction to Technical Writing | 3 |
| GEOG 3301 | Environmental Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 3310 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| GEOG 4100 | Earth and Environment Seminar | 1 |
| GEOG 4330 | Hydrology and Water Resources | 3 |
| GEOG 4333 | Field Studies | 3 |
| GEOG 4361 | Geographic Information Systems for Public Health | 3 |
| GEOG 4365 | Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | 3 |
| GEOG 4399 | Environmental and Geoscience Internship | 3 |
| GEOG 4432 | Geomorphology | 4 |
| GEOG 4468 | Remote Sensing | 4 |
| GEOL 3330 | Oceanography | 3 |
| GEOL 4100 | Earth and Environment Seminar | 1 |
| GEOL 4312 | Economic Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 4399 | Environmental and Geoscience Internship | 3 |
| HLTH 4390 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| PLSC 4330 | Soil Fertility Management and Fertilizers | 3 |
| PLSC 4370 | Forage Crops and Pasture Management | 3 |
| PLSC 4397 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| WMGT 2301 | Principles of Wildlife Management | 3 |
| WMGT 3382 | Habitat & Pond Management | 3 |
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 credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.
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 (Pollution Abatement) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Use the scientific method to address environmental problems.
- Think critically and problem solve.
- Use statistics to evaluate hypotheses.
- Chemically analyze soil, water, and/or air samples.
- Apply knowledge of ecosystems and the environment to address environmental issues.
