Environmental Science - Chemistry Concentration
The environmental science major’s chemistry concentration shows you how chemicals interact in natural systems and how humans can influence those interactions.
Preparing You for Success
As an environmental science major, you gain a foundation in plant and animal life, environmental issues and chemistry. Courses introduce you to the sources, transformation and fates of chemicals in air, water and soil. You study these interactions in both natural and human-based systems. You gain critical thinking, research and applied skills as you build a research portfolio valuable to graduate schools and future employers.
By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:
- Research with faculty or other scientists, including community-based projects off campus
- Opportunities to publish research and share it at professional conferences
- Professional development and networking through the Chem Club
Making Your Mark
Environmental science majors are valuable as scientists, government employees, environmental consultants and policy developers. Recent students attended graduate school at the University of Illinois, Texas A&M University and Indiana University, while many went directly into careers.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements
- BIO 151: Molecules to Cells - 3 hrs.
- BIO 152: Molecules to Cells Lab - 1 hr.
- BIO 251: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity - 3 hrs.
- BIO 252: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Lab - 1 hr.
- BIO 300: Populations, Resources and Environment - 3 hrs.
- BIO 420: Ecosystems Ecology - 4 hrs.
- CHM 110: General Chemistry I - 3 hrs.
- CHM 111: General Chemistry I Lab - 1 hr.
- CHM 116: General Chemistry II - 3 hrs.
- CHM 117: General Chemistry II Lab - 1 hr.
- CHM 252: Organic Chemistry I - 4 hrs.
- CHM 253: Organic Chemistry I Lab - 1 hr.
- CHM 416: Environmental Chemistry - 3 hrs.
- ENS 150: Introduction to Environmental Science - 2 hrs.
- ENS 470: Environmental Science Capstone - 1 hr.
- GES 101:Principles of Earth Science - 3 hrs.
and GES 102: Principles of Earth Science Lab - 1 hr.
or GES 110: Principles of Historical Geology - 3 hrs.
and GES 111: Principles of Historical Geology Lab - 1 hr. - MTH 121: Calculus I - 4 hrs.
- MTH 122: Calculus II - 4 hrs.
- PHY 107: General Physics I - 4 hrs.
- PHY 108: General Physics II - 4 hrs.
- ECO 100: Introduction to Economics - 3 hrs.
or *ECO 221: Principles of Microeconomics - 3 hrs.
or *ECO 222: Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 hrs.
*Both Micro and Macro Economics (221 and 222) are highly recommended.
Chemistry Concentration
- CHM 256: Organic Chemistry II - 3 hrs.
- CHM 257: Organic Chemistry II Lab - 1 hr.
- CHM 292: Chemical Informatics - 1 hr.
- CHM 326: Analytical Chemistry - 4 hrs.
- CHM 360: Biochemistry - 3 hrs.
- CHM 420: Instrumental Analysis - 4 hrs.
- CHM 470: Physical Chemistry - 3 hrs.
- MTH 111: Elementary Statistics - 3 hrs.
or BIO 260: Biological Statistics I - 3 hrs.
and BIO 261: Biological Statistics II - 3 hrs.
Course Sequence
Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.
| First Year - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHM 110/111 | General Chemistry I - Lab | 4 hours |
| MTH 115 or 121 | Calculus I | 4 hours |
| ENS 150 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 2 hours |
| EHS 120 | University Experience | 1 hour |
| Core Courses | 6 hours | |
| Total | 17 hours | |
| First Year - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHM 116/117 | General Chemistry II - Lab | 4 hours |
| MTH 116 or 122 | Calculus II | 4 hours |
| BIO 151/152 | Molecules to Cells - Lab | 4 hours |
| Core Course | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Sophomore - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHM 252/253 | Organic Chemistry I - Lab | 5 hours |
| PHY 107 or 110 | Physics I | 4 hours |
| MTH 111/BIO 260/261 | Statistics | 3 hours |
| Core Course | 3 hours | |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Sophomore - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHM 256/257 | Organic Chemistry II - Lab | 4 hours |
| CHM 292 | Chemical Informatics | 1 hour |
| BIO 251/252 | Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity - Lab | 4 hours |
| PHY 108 or 201 | Physics II | 4 hours |
| Core Course | 3 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Junior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHM 360 | Biochemistry | 3 hours |
| CHM 470 | Physical Chemistry | 3 hours |
| BIO 300 | Population, Resources and Environment | 3 hours |
| Core Courses | 6 hours | |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Junior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHM 316 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 hours |
| CHM 326 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 hours |
| GES 101/110 | Principles of Earth Science or Principles of Historical Geology | 4 hours |
| Core Course | 3 hours | |
| Elective | 2 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Senior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHM 420 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 hours |
| ECO 100/221/222 | Introduction to Economics | 3 hours |
| Electives | 9 hours | |
| Total | 16 hours | |
| Senior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENS 470 | Environmental Science Capstone | 1 hour |
| BIO 420 | Ecosystem Ecology | 3 hours |
| Electives | 11 hours | |
| Total | 15 hours | |