Environmental Science, B.S.

Program Details

Department: Environmental Science
Modality: In-Person
Concentrations: none
Semester Hours: 77 - 84 units required for the major

Objectives

The objective of the Environmental Science major is to prepare students for a career in environmental science, an applied discipline. Students receiving this degree can either pursue graduate studies or enter the field of environmental science in areas such as sustainability, environmental monitoring, consulting, business, law, governmental policy, environmental advocacy, etc.

The Environmental Science major is a rigorous interdisciplinary program involving course work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and environmental science. Beyond the foundational work, students have the opportunity to explore interdisciplinary problem solving through electives in a variety of fields such as ecology, chemistry, engineering, or environmental studies. Internships with local environmental organizations are an integral component of the program; students gain work experience, discern their career goals, and explore LMU’s Mission as applied to work in environmental science. The Environmental Science major also requires that students conduct a faculty-mentored capstone research project followed by dissemination of their results through written reports and presentations.

By the end of the program students will be able to:

1. apply understanding of foundational scientific knowledge integrated through Earth's systems.
2. effectively use practical skills for collecting and analyzing data to respond to environmental and sustainability challenges.
3. communicate results to technical and non-technical audiences.
4. approach environmental problems holistically honoring the diversity of ideas, value of collaboration, and impacts on communities to reach the common good.

Laboratory courses are designed to maximize hands-on experience in collecting samples from various media, and using an array of equipment to characterize soil, water, and air samples. Many of the environmental science courses include field trips to the adjacent Ballona Wetlands and/or Santa Monica Bay to demonstrate methods for collecting samples and to study the environmental conditions of our local ecosystems.

Major Requirements

¹

In order to be eligible to take an upper division science course, a student must have a C (2.0) average in the lower division science courses.

²

A student must have a C (2.0) average in upper division science courses.

+

ENVS 3160 (4 units) + ENVS 3170 (1 unit) can be fulfilled by taking ENVS/BIOL 3180 (5 units). 

*

Courses with an asterisk (*) require additional pre-requisite courses outside of the ENVS major. 

Notes:

• Students are urged to consider taking PHIL 3110: Environmental Ethics or EVST 3130: Environmental Justice to fulfill their Core Integrations: Ethics and Justice requirement
• Up to 1 of the 3 Upper Division Major Elective courses may be taken outside of Seaver College.
• Up to 1 of the 3 Upper Division Major Elective courses may be fulfilled by taking a laboratory course.
  • It can be a stand-alone 1-unit laboratory course.
  • It can be part of a combined lecture and laboratory course. (Note that a combined lecture and laboratory course counts as fulfilling 2 of the Upper Division Major Elective courses.)
• Any substitution must be made with the consent of the Environmental Science Chairperson.

B.S. Degree in Environmental Science

(124 S.H.)

Dean’s list requires a minimum of 15 semester hours.

Notes:

• Students are urged to consider taking PHIL 3110: Environmental Ethics or EVST 3130: Environmental Justice to fulfill their Core Integrations: Ethics and Justice requirement
• Up to 1 of the 3 Upper Division Major Elective courses may be taken outside of Seaver College.
• Up to 1 of the 3 Upper Division Major Elective courses may be fulfilled by taking a laboratory course.
  • It can be a stand-alone 1-unit laboratory course.
  • It can be part of a combined lecture and laboratory course. (Note that a combined lecture and laboratory course counts as fulfilling 2 of the Upper Division Major Elective courses.)
• Any substitution must be made with the consent of the Environmental Science Chairperson.