BS in Environmental Science
The Environmental Science Program offers students an interdisciplinary degree plan in which the student selects a concentration area in Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Geosciences or Environmental Hydrosciences.
Employment projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate an overall 4.9% increase in geoscience jobs between 2019 and 2029, from 460,242 jobs in 2019 to 482,726 jobs in 2029. For comparison, the projected growth of the U.S. workforce over the same timeframe is expected to be 3.7%. Growth rates for individual geoscience occupations range between 0% and 8.4% for all but geoscience engineering managers (-1%).
Marketable Skills
Students will develop:
- Communication: Reach mutual understanding through effective exchange of information, ideas, and feelings
- Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues in order to solve problems and develop informed opinions
- Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues
- Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
- Teamwork: Participate as an effective, efficient member of a group in order to meet a common goal
- Writing: Communicate using text in a clear and concise manner
Additionally, students will learn about 3-D spatial thinking, the ability to interpret geological maps, mapping skills, sample collection, and organization skills.
All students will fulfill the University Foundation courses and the Environmental Science Core, a sequence of environmental science classes. In addition, students take courses in their selected concentration area. Each concentration area is different and contains unique course requirements.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Environmental Science can be used to obtain a concentration in Secondary Teacher Certification 7-12.
Courses required of all students in the program:
Fast Track
The Fast-Track Program enables outstanding undergraduate UTEP students to receive both undergraduate and graduate credit for up to 15 hours of UTEP course work as determined by participating Master's and Doctoral programs. Not all undergraduate programs have elected to participate in the Fast Track option, so students should see their departmental graduate advisor for information about requirements and guidelines. A list of courses that have been approved for possible use at the graduate level is found here.
Degree Plan
BS in Environmental Science Core for all concentrations
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Core (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Required Courses: 1 | ||
| CHEM 1105 | Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | 1 |
| CHEM 1106 | Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | 1 |
| CHEM 1305 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1306 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Environmental Science Core | ||
| ESCI 1101 | Environmental Sci. Lab | 1 |
| ESCI 1301 | Intro to Environmental Sci | 3 |
| ESCI 1310 | Field Methods in Env Science | 3 |
| ESCI 3105 | Research Exp in Envi Science 2 | 1 |
| ESCI 3192 | Prof. Development in ESCI | 1 |
| ESCI 3201 | Environmental Policy & Law | 2 |
| ESCI 3204 | Research Exp in Envi Science 1 | 2 |
| ESCI 4301 | Senior Project | 3 |
| ESCI 4320 | Monitoring Regional Sust | 3 |
| ESCI 4398 | Environmental Sci. Internship (Note: Not required for ESCI Secondary Education Minor) | 3 |
| STAT 2480 | Elementary Statistical Methods | 4 |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | ||
| An applied internship that promotes learning, hands-on experience, and industrial practice by applying international manufacturing management and engineering fundamentals is offered in a local manufacturing plant. | 42 | |
| Concentration | ||
| Select one of the concentrations below: | 40 | |
| Upper Division Requirement | ||
| Select a total of thirty-seven hours of upper division course work 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | A total of thirty-seven hours of upper division coursework is required for all Bachelor of Science degrees. |
Concentrations
Environmental Biology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Biology Concentration | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 1107 | Topics in Study of Life I | 1 |
| BIOL 1108 | Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 1305 | General Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 1306 | Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 3117 | Ecology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 3316 | Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 4428 | Environmnt Stressor in Ecosyst | 4 |
| Select eight hours of the following: | 8 | |
| General Botany | ||
| Gen Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Vertebrate Zoology | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Select 14 hours of the following: | 14 | |
| Genetics | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Plants and People | ||
| Quantitative Methods Ecology | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Field Biology | ||
| Genetic, Env & Evol - Anim Beh | ||
| Animal Ecology | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Plant Diversity & Systematics | ||
| Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles | ||
| Birds and Mammals | ||
| Total Hours | 38 | |
Environmental Chemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration in Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| CHEM 2221 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 2321 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 2322 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 3110 | Lab for Chemistry 3310 | 1 |
| CHEM 3151 | Lab for Chemistry 3351 | 1 |
| CHEM 3310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3330 | Biochem I:Struc & Function | 3 |
| CHEM 3351 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 4211 | Instrumental Meths Analyt Chem | 2 |
| CHEM 4212 | Lab for Chemistry 4211 | 2 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism | 4 |
| Total Hours | 37 | |
Environmental Geoscience
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Geoscience Concentration | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| GEOL 1313 & GEOL 1103 | Intro to Physical Geology and Lab for GEOL 1313 | 3-4 |
| or GEOL 1211 & GEOL 1111 | Principles of Earth Sciences and Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | |
| GEOL 1314 & GEOL 1104 | Intro to Historical Geol and Lab for GEOL 1314 | 3-4 |
| or GEOL 1212 & GEOL 1112 | Principles of Earth Science and Laboratory for Geology 1212 | |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism | 4 |
| GEOL 2309 & GEOL 2109 | Mineralogy & Petrology and Mineralogy & Petrology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3312 & GEOL 3112 | Geoscience Processes and Geoscience Processes Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3323 & GEOL 3123 | Structural Geology and Structural Geology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 3326 & GEOL 3126 | Sedimentology & Stratigraphy and Lab for Sedim & Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 4375 & GEOL 4376 | Field Geology I and Field Geology II | 6 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| Intro. to Remote Sensing | ||
Or any upper-division Environmental Ethics or Environmental Policy Course | ||
| Upper-Division Electives: | ||
| Select four hours of upper-division electives | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 48-50 | |
Environmental Hydroscience
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Hydroscience Concentration | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| ESCI 3306 & ESCI 3106 | Principles of Hydology and Principles of Hydrology Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 1313 | Intro to Physical Geology | 3 |
| GEOL 1314 | Intro to Historical Geol | 3 |
| GEOL 3312 & GEOL 3112 | Geoscience Processes and Geoscience Processes Lab | 4 |
| GEOL 4335 | Soil Properties & Genesis | 3 |
| or GEOL 4373 | Grndwater Contam and Reclam | |
| GEOL 4383 | General Hydrogeology | 3 |
| GEOP 3320A | Introduction to Geophysics | 3 |
| GEOP 4350 | Field Geophysics | 3 |
| or GEOL 4375 | Field Geology I | |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 2326 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 2230 | Thermal and Fluid Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism | 4 |
| Ethics or Policy: | ||
| Select eleven upper division hours from any courses in CE, CHEM, ESCI, GEOG,GEOL, GEOP | 11 | |
| GEOL 4385 is strongly recommended | ||
| Total Hours | 53 | |
You cannot choose this concentration until you meet three criteria: your UTEP overall GPA must be at least 2.75, your UTEP majors GPA must be at least 2.75, and your must pass the UTEP Qualifying Exam in Science with a score of at least 80%.
7-12 Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Background Check Required | ||
| A complete background check is required of all students who wish to receive teacher certification in the State of Texas. Students will be required to pass a background check before certification will be conferred by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC). | ||
| Designated Core (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Required Courses: 1 | ||
| BIOL 1107 | Topics in Study of Life I | 1 |
| BIOL 1108 | Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 1305 | General Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 1306 | Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 3314 & BIOL 3115 | Molecular Cell Biology and Molecular Cell Biol Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 4225 | Field Biology | 2 |
| GEOL 1211 & GEOL 1111 | Principles of Earth Sciences and Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | 3 |
| GEOG 3306 | Weather and Climate | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II | 3 |
| PHYS 2420 | Introductory Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 2421 | Introductory Electromagnetism | 4 |
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Environmental Science Major | ||
| Select three hours from the following | 3 | |
| Geoscience Processes Lab | ||
| Geoscience Processes | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Vertebrate Physiology Methods | ||
| Secondary Education Minor | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| EDPC 3300 | Developmental Variations | 3 |
| RED 3342 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SCED 3311 | Curriculum Plan-Secondary Schl | 3 |
| SCED 3317 | Multicultural Ed in Sec School | 3 |
| SCED 4368 | Teaching Science in Sec School | 3 |
| SCED 4691 | Student Teaching in Sec School | 6 |
| Upper Division Requirement | ||
| Select a total of thirty-seven hours of upper division course work 2 | 37 | |
| Total Hours | 134 | |
| 1 | Although the UTEP choice is larger, the choices satisfy the requirements of both the core and the major. |
| 2 | A total of thirty-seven hours of upper division coursework is required for all Bachelor of Science degrees. |
University Core Curriculum
NOTE: The department may make specific suggestions for courses which are most applicable towards your major.
Psychology and Criminal Justice majors and minors are required to take MATH 1320 Math for Social Sciences I or a higher level Calculus course.
Business majors are required to take MATH 1320 Math for Social Sciences I or a higher level Calculus course.
NOTE: All courses require a C or better
Communication (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the communication component is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose or orally in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. | ||
| Select six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| For students whose secondary education was in English: | ||
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Writing About Literature | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | ||
| Rhetoric, Composition & Comm | ||
| For students whose secondary education was not in English: | ||
| ESOL 1311 | Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | 3 |
| ESOL 1312 | Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
American History (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the history component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and history of the U.S., their comprehension of the past and current role of the U.S. in the world, and their ability to critically evaluate and analyze historical evidence. U.S. history courses (three hours must be Texas history) include: | ||
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the humanities component is to expand students' knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and philosophy, students engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Latina/o Presence in the U.S. | ||
| English Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| Intro to American Fiction | ||
| Intro to American Drama | ||
| Intro to American Poetry | ||
| Making of the "Other" Americas | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Introduct to Religious Studies | ||
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | ||
| Introduction to Womens Studies | ||
| Global Feminisms | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Mathematics (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the mathematics component is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real-world problems. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Trigonometry and Conics | ||
| Math in the Modern World | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Precalculus 1,2 | ||
| Math for Social Sciences II | ||
| Statistical Literacy | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| 1 A higher-level course in the calculus sequence can be substituted. | ||
| 2 TCCN MATH 1314 will also satisfy this requirement. | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the study of the natural sciences is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories. The courses listed are for non-majors; the major courses in the discipline can be substituted for the non-major sequence. A minimum of two semesters of lecture and one semester of laboratory associated with one of the courses, or two semesters of combined (3 credit) lecture-laboratory courses (Only six hours apply toward the required 42.): | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1-4 | |
| Astronomy Lab I | ||
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System | ||
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology II | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| Intro General Chemistry Lab | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochem Lab | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Intro to General Chemistry | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochemistry | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Intro to Environment Science 2 | ||
| Intro to Environmental Sci | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences | ||
| Principles of Earth Science | ||
| The Blue Planet | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Intro to Physical Geology | ||
| Intro to Historical Geol | ||
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | ||
| Wellness Dynamics | ||
| Microorganisms and Disease | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| Total Hours | 1-4 | |
Political Science (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objectives of the political science component are to expand students’ knowledge of the origin and evolution of the U.S. and Texas political systems, focusing on the growth of political institutions, and on the constitutions of Texas and the United States; and to enhance their understanding of federalism, states rights, and individual civil liberties, rights, and responsibilities. | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the social and behavioral science component is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog | ||
| Intro-Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Intro to Linguistics | ||
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mass Media and Society | ||
| Principles of Economics | ||
| Principles of Economics | ||
| Introduction to Ed Psychology | ||
| Action Research in Classrooms | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| An Intro. to Linguistics | ||
| Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Creative Arts (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the visual and performing arts component is to expand students' knowledge and appreciation of the human imagination as expressed through works of visual art, dance, music, theatre and film. Through study in these disciplines, students will form aesthetic judgments and develop an appreciation of the arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| History of Art I | ||
| History of Art II | ||
| Dance Appreciation | ||
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz to Rock | ||
| Music, Culture, and Society | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| Total Hours | 3 | |
Component Area Option (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The objective of the institutionally designated option component is to develop the critical thinking skills and academic tools required to be an effective learner. Special emphasis is placed on the use of technology in problem-solving, communications, and knowledge acquisition. | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intro to Global Business | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Business/Profession Comm | ||
| Intro-Computational Thinking | ||
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | ||
| Eng Innovation and Leadership | ||
| Inquiry in Math & Science | ||
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |