Bachelor of Science, Major in Environmental Science (Water Resources)

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 (Water Resources)
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) 1, 34
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 1406General Biology I4
BIOL 1407General Biology II4
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II 24
MATH 1420Calculus I 14
Major: Foundation
BIOL 1401Environmental Science4
BIOL/GEOG 3320Sustainability & Environment3
BIOL 3409General Ecology4
BIOL 4330Aquatic Biology3
ENGL 3330Introduction to Technical Writing3
Select two of the following:8
Weather and Climate
Physical Geology
Geologic & Environmental Hazards
GEOG 2464Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)4
GEOG 4330Hydrology and Water Resources3
GEOG 4331Conservation of Natural Resources3
GEOG 4361Geographic Information Systems for Public Health3-4
or GEOG 4365 Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
or GEOG 4468 Remote Sensing
GEOG 4432Geomorphology4
GEOL 3326Environmental Geology3
GEOL 4304Geochemistry 53
or CHEM 3368 Environmental Chemistry
GEOL 4426Hydrogeology4
Select one from the following: 63-4
Biostatistics 6
Calculus II 6
Statistical Methods in Practice 6
PLSC 3440Soil Science4
POLS 3395Environmental Policy3
Major: Prescribed Electives
Select eight hours from the following:8
Soil & Water Conservation Engineering
Wildlife Biology
Quantitative Analysis
Environmental Chemistry
Energy and Environmental Economics
Environmental Geography
Sustainable Development
Meteorology
Climatology
Earth and Environment Seminar
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
Stratigraphy & Sedimentation
Environmental Health
Soil Fertility Management and Fertilizers
Environment And Society
Principles of Wildlife Management
Habitat & Pond Management
Minor: Not Required 7, 8
Total Hours120-122
1

MATH 1420 is recommended, if eligible. In addition to fulfilling the the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics), the course also satisfies one credit hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

2

CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

3

SOCI 2319, GEOG 2355, or GEOG 2356 are recommended for the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) or Component Area IX (Component Area Option) because they are prerequisites for some of the Environmental Science Prescribed Electives.

4

ECON 2300, ECON 2301, or ECON 2302 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) and serve as a prerequisite for ECON 3352, if desired as a course option.  If not, GEOG 1300 is recommended.

5

Students who would like to take CHEM 3368 must take CHEM 2401 as an elective.

6

Students interested in groundwater should take MATH 1430; whereas, students interested in surface water should take MATH 3379 or BIOL 4374.

7

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.

8

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
Component Area IV13BIOL 14014
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223
GEOG 1401, GEOL 1403, or GEOL 14054GEOG 1401, GEOL 1403, or GEOL 14054
HIST 130133HIST 130233
MATH 142044 
 17 14
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area V3Component Area IX13
Component Area VIII53BIOL 14074
BIOL 14064CHEM 141264
CHEM 141164POLS 230673
POLS 230573 
 17 14
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 3320 or GEOG 33203BIOL 34094
ENGL 33303GEOG 24644
GEOG 43303GEOL 33263
GEOL 4304 or CHEM 336883MATH 1430, 3379, or BIOL 4374103-4
Prescribed Electives94 
 16 14-15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 43303GEOG 43313
GEOL 44264GEOG 44324
GEOG 4361, 4365, or 44683-4POLS 33953
PLSC 34404Prescribed Electives94
 14-15 14
Total Hours: 120-122
1

SOCI 2319, GEOG 2355, or GEOG 2356 are recommended for the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) or Component Area IX (Component Area Option) because they are prerequisites for some of the Environmental Science Prescribed Electives.

2

ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

3

HIST 1301 and HIST 1302 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

4

MATH 1420 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) as well as one credit hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

5

ECON 2300, ECON 2301, or ECON 2302 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) and serve as a prerequisite for ECON 3352, if desired as a course option.  If not, GEOG 1300 is recommended. 

6

CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences).

7

POLS 2305 and POLS 2306 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

8

Students who would like to take CHEM 3368 must take CHEM 2401 as an elective.

9

See the Prescribed Electives course list below. Must select a minimum of eight hours to meet the 120-hour degree requirement.

10

Students interested in groundwater should take MATH 1430; whereas, students interested in surface water should take MATH 3379 or BIOL 4374.

Prescribed Electives 98
Select eight hours from the following:
AGET 3383Soil & Water Conservation Engineering3
BIOL 3461Wildlife Biology4
CHEM 2401Quantitative Analysis4
CHEM 3368Environmental Chemistry3
ECON 3352Energy and Environmental Economics3
GEOG 3301Environmental Geography3
GEOG 3310Sustainable Development3
GEOG 3340Meteorology3
GEOG 3342Climatology3
GEOG 4100Earth and Environment Seminar1
GEOG 4333Field Studies3
GEOG 4361Geographic Information Systems for Public Health3
GEOG 4365Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS)3
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 4400Stratigraphy & Sedimentation4
HLTH 4390Environmental Health3
PLSC 4330Soil Fertility Management and Fertilizers3
SOCI 4337Environment And Society3
WMGT 2301Principles of Wildlife Management3
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 credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

The BS in Environmental Science (Water Resources) 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 remote sensing.

  • Use quantitative methods to assess groundwater and surface water issues.

  • Analyze water quality and quantity.

  • Apply knowledge of the environment and ecosystems to address environmental problems.

  • Interdisciplinary problem solvers.