The Center for Environmental Research and Education (CERE) is dedicated to providing an education that aligns with the values of the integrative bottom line as well as the United Nation's Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, which recognize that “ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth –all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.”

Learning Outcomes

The Center for Environmental Research and Education provides a diverse and practical skillset in science, communication, critical thinking and leadership, enabling you to tackle any issue affecting our land, air and water systems. Technical abilities and effective communication are emphasized in preparation for successful careers and graduate studies. 

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

120 credits

The BA in Environmental Studies program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster interdisciplinary learning and provide a holistic understanding of environmental issues.

Curriculum

BRDG Courses (4 Credits)

  • Research & Info Skills
  • EQ Essential Questions Sem
  • BRDG 105 Intro to Ethical Reas
  • Crit Thinking (BRCT)
  • Cultural Fluen (BRCF)
  • Ethical Reas (BRET)
  • Social & Hist (BRSH)
  • Quant & Scient Reas (BRQS)
  • Comm & Creative Expr (BRCC)
  • One THEO and PHIL course & 3 Writing Intensive courses

Program Courses (4 credits)

  • ENGL 302W Scientific Writing 
  • SPRG 105 Seminar: Career Dev. 
  • Experiential Learning

Environmental Science Courses (27 credits)

  • ENVI 251 Prin of Envi Science
  • ENVI 291 Intro to Earth Sciences
  • ENVI 472 Env Biology
  • ENVI 452 Env Chemistry
  • ENVI 470 Env Toxicology
  • ENVI Capstone
  • PHIL 236 Environmental Ethics OR PHIL 211 Philosophy of the Environment
  • ECON 331 Environmental Economics
  • HIST 141 Environmental History
  • SOCI 220 Environmental Sociology
  • ENGL 204 Literature and the Environment

Math Courses (10 credits)

  • MATH 101/105/115
  • MATH 125/225/301 
  • MATH/CS Elective


Biology Courses (8 credits)

  • BIOL111/111L Biology I/Lab
  • BIOL 112/112L Biology II/Lab

Chemistry Courses (10 credits)

  • CHEM 121 Gen Chem I
  • CHEM 121L Gen Chem I Lab
  • CHEM 122 Gen Chem II
  • CHEM 122L Gen Chem II Lab

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

127 credits

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Environmental Science provides students with a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics. Courses emphasize the integration of science, policy, and theory, providing students with a holistic view of the environmental challenges facing society.

Curriculum

Environmental Science Courses (34 credits)

  • Prin. of Envi. Science 
  • Env. Biology 
  • Env. Chemistry 
  • Env. Toxicology 
  • Environmental Science Capstone

Math Courses (13 credits)

  • Calculus I
  • Statistics I
  • 2 MATH/CS Electives

Chemistry Courses (18 credits)

  • Gen Chem I
  • Gen Chem I Lab
  • Gen Chem II
  • Gen Chem II Lab
  • Organic Chem I
  • Organic Chem I Lab
  • Organic Chem II
  • Organic Chem II Lab

Biology Courses (16 credits)

  • Biology I/Lab
  • Biology II/Lab
  • Cell & Molecular
  • Gen. Microbiology

Physics Courses (8 credits)

  • Physics I
  • Physics I Lab 
  • Physics II 
  • Physics II Lab

Program Courses (4 credits)

  • Scientific Writing
  • Seminar: Career Dev.
  • Experiential Learning

General Electives (9 credits)

  • Students must take a minimum of 9 credits of general electives.