Why study environmental science at CMU?

The environmental studies program at CMU prepares students for a variety of environment-related careers. Students will focus on a wide range of environmental issues and the complex relationship between humans and the environment. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:

• Diverse fieldwork experiences at the geographic center of the Great Lakes basin located near CMU
• Classroom enhancement at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan and at Neithercut Woodland just north of CMU's main campus
• Well-rounded program that includes course work in biology, chemistry, geology, economics, law, and political science
• Professional development, resources, and contacts through student organizations such as the Geology Club, Wildlife Club, and the Student Environmental Association

Career outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:

• Employment of environmental scientists is expected to grow about nine to 17 percent, and employment of hydrologists should grow 18 to 26 percent.
• Job opportunities will be spurred by an awareness of the need to monitor environmental quality, to interpret the impact of human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and to develop strategies for restoring ecosystems.
• Scientific research and development services have increased the hiring of conservation scientists and foresters to prepare environmental impact statements and erosion and sediment control plans, monitor water quality near logging sites, and advise on tree harvesting practices.

Career options

Graduates of the environmental studies program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.

• Conservation Officer
• Environmental Biologist, Chemist, or Scientist
• Environmental Consultant or Engineer
• Environmental Lawyer or Writer
• Forester
• Hydrologist
• Wildlife Manager

Program Overview The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards. (Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.) Environmental Studies Major:Environmental Science Concentration (16 hours) Core Courses I 3 BIO 340 Ecology Study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. Prerequisites: One of: BIO 101, 105, 110. Recommended: BIO 203 or 218. 3 BLR 521 Environmental Law and Policy A survey of environmental laws and policies that affect business decision making, stressing macroenvironmental considerations and major Michigan environmental issues. Prerequisites: BLR 202 or BLR 235 or ENV 101; completion of 86 hours; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor or permission of MBA director or MBE advisor. 3 ECO 301 Environmental Economics Basic economic understanding of environmental/ecological problems arising from a free enterprise system. Economists' solutions presented without advanced economic theory or mathematical computation. Recommended: ECO 202 or 203. 3 ENV 101 Introduction to Environmental Studies An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of human/environmental relationships. Topics include the biosphere, ecosystems and how human socio-political factors interact with them. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group IV-A) 1 ENV 400 Environmental Studies Colloquium Seminar format to integrate student internship experiences in the execution of problem-solving exercises relevant to environmental studies. Open to seniors who have completed their field internship. Prerequisites: successful completion of non-credit six-week field internship and permission of the Program Director. 3 PSC 261 State and Local Government Structure and functions of state, county, and city governments, with emphasis on policy issues. Michigan governments are used for illustrations and examples. (University Program Group III-B) (3 hours) Core Courses II Select one of the following: 3 BIO 240 Conservation of Natural Resources Ecological approaches to issues of global environmental sustainability, with emphasis on preservation of natural resources such as soil, water, forests and wildlife. (University Program Group II-A) 3 GEO 330 Resource Perception and Utilization Influence of physical, economic, political, and social factors on the total resource system. (3 hours) Core Courses III Select one of the following: 3 GEL 100 Introduction to Earth Systems A discovery-based introductory examination of the processes that shape our planet. Topics include the rock cycle, earthquakes, volcanoes, the Ice Age, and plate tectonics. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Credit may not be earned in both GEL 100 and GEL 101,102, 105 or 130. (University Program Group IIA) 3 GEL 101 Physical Geology An introduction to the surficial and internal earth processes that shape our world. Topics include plate tectonics, minerals, rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the Ice Age. Credit may not be earned in both GEL 101 and GEL 100, GEL 105, or GEL 130. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group II-A) 3 GEL 105 Dangerous Planet A survey of the socially important geological topics that affect people and their environment with a focus on natural and anthropogenic geologic hazards. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Credit may not be earned in both GEL 105 and 100, 101, or 130. (University Program Group II-A) 3 GEL 130 Earth Processes An introduction to geologic processes from a quantitative perspective. Students will investigate, graph, and calculate rates and scales of processes including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and groundwater flow. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Credit may not be earned in both GEL 130 and 100, 101, 102, or 105. (University Program Group II-B) (9 hours) Required Courses I 3 BIO 208 Microbiology The biology of microorganisms: bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa. Prerequisite: BIO 110. 3 GEL 380 Hydrogeology Introduction to the study of groundwater, groundwater flow, well hydraulics, groundwater quality and pollution and resource exploration, evaluation, and management. Field trip fee required. Prerequisites: GEL 101 or GEL 105, and GEL 102; or GEL 100 or GEL 130; MTH 106 or higher; junior standing. 3 GEO 334/BIO 334 Soil Science An introduction to the physical, chemical, and biotic properties of soils; soil classification and mapping; and soil resource issues. Identical to BIO 334. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: CHM 120 or CHM 131. Recommended: 6 hours of environmental science. (5-8 hours) Required Courses II Select one of the following options: (8 hours) Option A 4 CHM 131 Introduction to Chemistry I Fundamental concepts of chemistry including stoichiometry, gas laws, thermochemistry, and molecular structure. CHM 131 and 132 are recommended to constitute the standard one-year course for science majors. Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 107 (preferably with a B or better); high school chemistry or CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B) 4 CHM 132 Introduction to Chemistry II Continuation of CHM 131 including solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, weak acids and bases, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Prerequisite: CHM 131. Recommended: a grade of C or better in CHM 131. (5 hours) Option B 5 CHM 161 Principles of Chemistry Intensive introduction to chemical principles for the well-prepared, motivated student. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirements. Recommended: High school Algebra II or MTH 107 (preferably with a B or better); high school chemistry or CHM 120. (University Program Group II-B). (8 hours) Required Courses III Select one of the following options: (8 hours) Option A 4 PHY 130 College Physics I Mechanics, heat, kinetic theory, and sound. The mathematics used is algebra and trigonometry. The sequences PHY 130-131, PHY 170-171 satisfy minimum requirements for medical and dental schools. Recommended: MTH 106. (University Program Group II-B) 4 PHY 131 College Physics II A continuation of PHY 130 that covers the topics of electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics. Prerequisite: PHY 130. (8 hours) Option B 4 PHY 145 University Physics I Normally the first physics course for majors and minors. Mechanics of single and many-particle systems, conservation laws, statistical concepts, and gravitational interaction. Pre/Co-Requisite: MTH 132. (University Program Group II-B) 4 PHY 146 University Physics II Temperature and thermodynamics, electromagnetic interaction, electrical circuits, electromagnetic radiation, and optics. Not open to those with credit in PHY 131. Prerequisite: PHY 145. Pre/Co-requisite: MTH 133. (6 hours) Electives I Select electives in consultation with advisor. 3 BIO 365 Environmental Contaminants Survey of pesticide characteristics and residue problems, hazardous wastes, ground and surface water contaminants, air pollution and acid rain, and other environmental pollution concerns. Prerequisites: BIO 110 or 240; CHM 132 or 161. Recommended: CHM 345. 3 BIO 526 Limnology Examination of physical and chemical properties of lake ecosystems, diversity of aquatic organisms, cycling of essential nutrients, and flow of energy through freshwater food webs. Prerequisites: BIO 340. Recommended: CHM 120 or CHM 131 and 132 or CHM 161. 2 BIO 527 Limnological Methods A quantitative examination of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of lake ecosystems. Pre/Co-Requisite: BIO 526. 3 CHM 345 Organic Chemistry I Overview of common organic reactions. Reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alkyl halides, Ultraviolet/Visible, Infrared, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry. Prerequisite: CHM 132 or 161. 3 CHM 346 Organic Chemistry II Continuation of CHM 345. Overview of common organic reactions of aromatic compounds, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, and amines. Prerequisite: CHM 345. 3 CHM 513 Chemistry of Natural Waters Fundamentals of laboratory and field analysis of water and their application to environmental studies. Prerequisites: CHM 211. 3 GEL 372 Introduction to Geophysics A survey of the physical properties and structure of the earth, and the basic geophysical techniques by which they are known. Field trip fee required. Prerequisites: PHY 130 or PHY 145; MTH 132. 3 GEL 402 Environmental Geochemistry Application of chemical principles to environmental-geological topics. Explores geochemical aspects of contemporary problems such as water and soil pollution, including data analysis and problem solving. Prerequisite : GEL 380; CHM 132. 4 GEO 201 Weather and Climate Nature of atmospheric processes, weather, and climate - why and how they vary over the surface of the earth. (University Program Group II-A) 3 GEO 203 Introduction to Geographic Information Science Fundamentals of geographic information science - including spatial data gathering, measurement, classification, analysis, display and map interpretation. Current computer mapping technologies are used in laboratory. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. 3 GEO 305 Remote Sensing of the Environment Characteristics and principles of remote sensing of the environment. The processes of remote sensing imagery acquisition, analysis, and information extraction. Prerequisites: GEO 203. Recommended: Six hours of geography or other environmental science. 3 GEO 503 Geographic Information Systems The techniques of computer-assisted analysis and display of spatially ordered geographic data. Students will use vector and raster GIS. Prerequisites: GEO 303, GEO 305. 3 GEO 508 Digital Remote Sensing Computer processing and data analysis of digital remote sensing data. Emphasis on multispectral image processing and analysis using standard image processing software. Prerequisites: GEO 303, 305. Recommended: STA 382. 3 MET 240 Meteorology Structure of the atmosphere; radiation and global warming; forces causing the wind; moisture, stability, and clouds; thunderstorms and tornadoes; hurricanes and extratropical cyclones. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group II-B) (6 hours) Electives II Select electives in consultation with advisor. 3 ANT 171 Human Origins: Introduction to Physical Anthropology Introduction to human and primate evolution, and the origin of human hereditary variations. (University Program Group II-A) 3 ANT 370/SOC 370 Global Environmental Issues Social and cultural dimensions of global population issues, food and energy policies, destruction of indigenous lifeways, roles of multinational organizations, environmental racism, and environmental movements. Identical to SOC 370; credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. 3 BLR 410 Regulatory Law Survey of major regulatory programs affecting business decision-making, including antitrust, securities regulation, labor-employment law, environmental-land use regulation, utility regulation, administrative law. Prerequisites: BLR 202 or BLR 235; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor. 3 ENV 310 Environmental Issues Management Review of regulatory requirements and application of scientific studies to managing environmental risk. Case studies of risk management by the targeted community and regulatory agencies. Prerequisites: BIO 101 or BIO 105; ENV 101; CHM 120 or CHM 161 or both CHM 131 and CHM 132. 3 HSC 352 Environmental Health Emphasis on today's environmental problems related to health, air, water, radiation, housing, urbanization, disease, weapons of mass destruction, and man's responsibilities and remedial actions to these problems. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. 3 HST 322 Westward Movement in America The impact of territorial expansion in the United States upon economics, culture, and politics. 3 IET 327 Industrial Safety A study of the principles and practices of safety management with emphasis on occupational safety standards and loss control. 3 IET 525 Hazardous Materials Technology The course covers hazardous materials and related health, safety, and regulatory issues for persons conducting, supervising, and managing field activities. Prerequisites: IET 327; CHM 120 or CHM 131; junior or senior standing. 3 IND 332 Human Shelter and Environment Perspectives on the interrelationship between the built, cultural and natural environments, including: social, political and psychological effects; cross-cultural and interdisciplinary views; and ecological aspects. (University Program Group IV-A) 3 MGT 312 Introduction to Management Introduction to the concepts, techniques, and processes of management as they pertain to business and other organizations. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Prerequisite: 56 semester hours completed. 3 MKT 151 Marketing and Society An overview of the environment, concepts and current trends that shape the world of marketing. Attention is paid to the impact of marketing on society. This course will not be accepted for credit for departmental or College of Business Administration major or minors. 3 PHL 118 Moral Problems Study of basic moral problems and proposed solutions to problems associated with violence, oppression, prejudice, and sex. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A) 3 PSC 514 American Public Policy Making This course serves to integrate political institutions and levels of government in terms of policy development and implementation. Prerequisites: PSC 105 or graduate standing. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. 3 PSC 522 Regulatory Processes and Administrative Law Survey of the principles of administrative law and the politics of the U.S. regulatory processes. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. 3 PSY 387 Behavioral Neuroscience Overview of the neurological processes underlying organismic behavior. Surveys neurobiological explanations of sensation, movement, motivation, emotion, sleep, learning, neurological disorders, recovery mechanisms. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisites: One of the following: PSY 100, BIO 101, BIO 105, BIO 110, BIO 151, HSC 211(University Program Group IV-A) 3 PSY 537 Organizational Behavior Management Behavior analysis in business, industry, and human service settings. Applied research in organizations is emphasized. Empirical rather than theoretical approach. Prerequisites: PSY 336 or PSY 370 or PSY 384 or graduate standing. 3 PSY 583 Motivation and Emotion Survey of the theories, systems and concepts of motivation and emotion. Prerequisites: Fifteen hours of psychology or graduate standing. 3 REL 235 Religion and Social Issues Introduction to religious and ethical thought in personal, social and institutional contexts. Topics such as violence, sexism/heterosexism, racism, ecology or poverty may be examined. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-A)