Overview of the Environmental Science (CSES) B.S. Degree Program at Virginia Tech THE Environmental Science Program at Virginia Tech!

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1 Overview of the Environmental Science (CSES) B.S. Degree Program at Virginia Tech THE Environmental Science Program at Virginia Tech! The Environmental Science curriculum is science and technology oriented. The major offers three options: Water Resources, Land Resources, and Plant Resources. The basic sciences and computational skills are at the core of each option, while technical requirements make each option unique. Water Resources- Learn about a key ecosystem resource, fresh water, which is dangerously depleted or degraded in many places. This option concentrates on water quality and quantity for drinking, irrigation, recreation, and industry. Employers include agencies involved in protecting water resources and industries that help keep water resources safe. Land Resources- Gain an understanding of intelligent use of our landscapes. We need to understand the land s capacity to support human activities like agriculture, development, and waste disposal while maintaining healthy ecosystems. Employment opportunities include the federal government, private foundations, and local planning commissions. Plant Resources- Focus on the many uses of plants to solve environmental problems. These include establishing wetlands, revegetating drastically disturbed areas, and using plants to clean up polluted sites. Employers include companies involved in environmental clean up and land restoration. Academic Preparation All admission offers to Environmental Science are made through the University s Admissions Office. Successful applicants for freshman admission meet the guidelines found at Students seeking to transfer after one year of college work should earn at least a 3.0 grade point average and complete transferable coursework in English, mathematics, and lab sciences. Students planning to transfer under the Guaranteed Admission Initiative for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences should follow the academic guidelines noted at Overview of Course Work All ENSC options build on a strong foundation in the sciences. For example, a progression of chemistry courses leads from general through organic and analytical lectures and laboratories. Biology is quite important also, especially in the Water and Plant Resources options. Geological and soil sciences are crucial in the Land Resources option. Three semesters of calculus and one semester of statistics provide important computational skills for all options, while writingintensive courses, such as Senior Seminar, stress professional-style communication. Courses in

The basic sciences and computational skills are at the core of each option, while technical requirements make each option unique.

2 environmental engineering and in policy and planning provide technology and regulatory insights to supplement the major s scientific approach. Each option has coursework specific to its field, and technical electives allow students to tailor their degrees to particular career choices. Math, Technology, and Natural Sciences Core BIOL 1105,1106: Principles of Biology 6 CEE 3104: Intro to Environ. Engineering 3 CHEM 1035,1036,1045,1046: General Chem., Lab 8 CHEM 2114,2124: Analytical Chem., Lab 4 CHEM 2535,2545: Organic Chem., Lab 4 CSES 1004: Intro Crop and Soil Environ. Sciences 1 CSES/ENSC 3114,3124: Soils, Lab 4 ENSC 3604: Fund. of Environ. Science 3 ENSC 3634: Physics of Pollution 3 ENSC/CSES/CHEM 4734 : Environ. Soil Chem. 3 CSES/ENSC 4854 : Wetlands Soils and Mitigation 3 ENSC 4004: Senior Seminar 1 GEOG 4084 or GEOG 4354 or FOR 4114 or BSE 3 GEOS 4804: Groundwater Hydrology 3 MATH 1016,2015,2016: Elementary Calculus with 9 PHYS 2205: General Physics 3 STAT 3615: Biological Statistics 3 Humanities, Writing, and Social Sciences Core AAEC 1005,1006: Econ.Food & Fiber Sys. 6 ENGL 1105,1106: Freshman English 6 Creativity and Aesthetic Experience (CLE Area 6) 1/3 Ideas, Cultural Traditions, and Values (CLE Area 2) 6 Additional Requirements: Water Resources Option BIOL 2604,2614: Gen. Microbiology, Lab 4 BIOL 4004: Freshwater Ecology 4 BIOL/CEE/CSES/ENSC 4164: Environmental 3

Math, Technology, and Natural Sciences Core BIOL 1105,1106: Principles of Biology 6 CEE 3104: Intro to Environ. Engineering 3 CHEM 1035,1036,1045,1046: General Chem.

3 CSES 4594: Soil/Groundwater Pollution 3 CSES 4644 : Soils for Waste Treatment 3 FIW 4614 : Fish Ecology 3 Additional Requirements: Land Resources Option BIOL 2604, 2614: Gen. Microbiology, Lab 4 CSES 4134: Soil Genesis & Classification 3 CSES/CEE 4594: Soil and Groundwater 3 CSES 4644: Soils for Waste Treatment 3 GEOS/CSES/GEOG 3304: Geomorph. 3 GEOS 2104: Elements of Geology 3 UAP 4374: Land Use & Environment: Planning 3 Additional Requirements: Plant Resources Option BIOL 2304: Plant Biology 3 FOR 2314 : Forest Biology and Dendrology 2 BIOL 2804,3114: Ecology, Lab 4 BIOL 3204: Plant Taxonomy 3 ENSC 3644: Plant Materials for Environmental 3 PPWS 3505,3514: Plant Physiology & 4 CSES 4214,4224 : Soil Fertility, Lab 4 CSES/ENSC 4774 : Reclamation of Drastically 3 Minimum total credits (all options) 120 Satisfactory Progress By the end of the academic year in which a student has attempted 60 hours, "satisfactory progress" will include: declaring an option within ENSC passing the following: o BIOL 1105, 1106 o 12 hours of CHEM

3 GEOS 2104: Elements of Geology 3 UAP 4374: Land Use & Environment: Planning 3 Additional Requirements: Plant Resources Option BIOL 2304: Plant Biology 3 FOR 2314 : Forest Biology and Dendrology 2

4 o ENSC 3604 o CSES/ENSC 3114 and 3124 o 9 hours of MATH and/or STAT Opportunities to Excel Students with outstanding records can qualify for the Honors Program and graduate "in honors" in environmental science. Other opportunities for personal and professional growth and for recognition include the department-sponsored Environmental Student Organization, membership in Alpha Zeta and other honoraries, and several scholarships designated for majors. Faculty members often offer undergraduates opportunities to become involved in a variety of environmental research projects. Many employers seek environmental science majors for internship and co For more information, contact: Dr. Matt Eick Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences 236 Smyth Hall (0404) Blacksburg, VA Phone: (540) eick@vt.edu Career Opportunities Many federal, state, and local agencies that deal with environmental issues hire environmental scientists. The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior, Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and municipal planning commissions are a few examples of employers in the public sector. Many major industries, particularly those involved in extraction and manufacturing, employ environmental scientists to handle regulatory compliance, environmental monitoring, and public relations. Private consulting firms also offer a large employment opportunity for graduates. Many private firms deal with land-use planning and development, water-quality monitoring and protection, waste disposal, toxic site remediation, government subcontracting, and policy analysis. Beyond the Classroom Students with outstanding academic records will be able to qualify for the Honors Program and graduate "In Honors" in Environmental Science.

Other opportunities for personal and professional growth and for recognition include the department-sponsored Environmental Student Organization, membership in Alpha Zeta and other honoraries, and

5 Other opportunities for growth and recognition include: Membership in the department-sponsored Environmental Student Organization, the Soil Water Conservation Society, and other on-campus professional, social, and honorary organizations. More than $25,000 in scholarships are awarded annually to qualified students. Gaining valuable on-the-job training and explore future career opportunities through internships and co-op experiences with industry and agency partners. Encountering new cultures, new ecosystems, and new environmental perspectives through study abroad and student exchange programs. Conducting research alongside top-notch faculty using state-of-the-art equipment.

Gaining valuable on-the-job training and explore future career opportunities through internships and co-op experiences with industry and agency partners.

Minimum credits required for graduation is 120. Core Degree Requirements (57 credits)

Minimum credits required for graduation is 120. Core Degree Requirements (57 credits) COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT B.S. Degree in Water: Resources, Policy, and Management Major: Water: Resources, Policy, and Management For Students Graduating in Calendar Year 2016 Department