The Major
Environmental Sciences is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the interaction of processes that shape our natural environment. The Department of Environmental Sciences conducts research and offers instruction in the areas of Ecology, Geosciences, Hydrology, and Atmospheric Sciences. This unique integration of several sciences fosters cooperation and the exchange of information and ideas on the scientific problems and issues of the environment. The research efforts of both faculty and students, whether disciplinary or interdisciplinary, deal with problems of fundamental scientific interest.
Goals: Study within the department can be structured to meet any of the following objectives:
*preparation for further graduate study within the sciences *development of a rigorous science background from which to pursue graduate-level training in a professional program such as law, planning, medicine, business, or environmental engineering *a thorough grounding in a basic discipline as the principal component of a liberal arts education.
*solid preparation for employment in entry-level positions in private industry (as with environmental consulting firms) or regulatory agencies.
Related Sciences: Each of the four areas studied within the Department requires the acquisition of knowledge from other fields. Ecology depends upon a basic understanding of chemistry and biology. Hydrology, geosciences, and atmospheric science depend more on physics and chemistry. All of these areas depend on calculus and the techniques of statistics and computer programming. Most applications and analysis of legal or policy issues depend on basic economics. The Department’s required related work in many of these areas fosters success in research and in the competition for top jobs and graduate school.
Environmental Sciences Home Page: http://www.evsc.virginia.edu
Majors within the Department
The Department offers two majors programs, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Environmental Sciences and the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Environmental Sciences. Both degrees provide an excellent basis for graduate work in Environmental Sciences as has been demonstrated throughout the history of the Department. The BA also serves as a foundation for graduate-level training in a professional program such as law, planning, medicine, or business. The BS might be considered more appropriate as a basis for graduate training in environmental engineering, or for movement into a professional position in the private sector. The two differ substantially in the number and selection of courses that are required of the student; the BS requires around 25 hours above the requirements for the BA. BS candidates who do not have significant amounts of appropriate AP credits are strongly encouraged to begin the sequence of related work in their first semester in order to complete the degree requirements within the 8-semester limit.
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences
Beginning the Major
There is an extensive array of courses offered through the Department. Introductory courses are usually conducted in a lecture format. Some of these courses are large, but faculty members are easily accessible. The 1000- and 2000-level Environmental Sciences non-core courses present a basic introduction to the concepts, methods, and terminology of geosciences, hydrology, ecology, and atmospheric sciences. None of these courses have prerequisites, all are taught by faculty, and all of them provide an enjoyable means of sampling an area of environmental sciences. For students well-prepared in related sciences, or with at least one semester of introductory college chemistry, biology or physics, one of the core courses, especially EVSC 2800 Physical Geology or EVSC 3200 Fundamentals of Ecology, would be an excellent first advanced course. Once a student has completed the core course in any area, he or she can chose from advanced courses taught in lecture, seminar, laboratory, or field instruction formats. Most of these classes are quite small and all are taught by the faculty.
Advanced Placement Credit
Three credit hours toward EVSC 1010, Introduction to Environmental Sciences, will be granted for achieving a 4 or 5 on the Environmental Sciences Advanced Placement Course exam. Although the University does not grant laboratory credit for AP courses, the Department may waive the requirement for laboratories associated with courses for which AP credit is granted upon inspection of the syllabus and course materials for the laboratory portion of the course.
Options Within the Major
Many Environmental Sciences majors concentrate their program in one or two fields with professional schools and graduate programs in mind. Others use the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum to prepare for careers in science writing and methods, in teaching, or in the management of the environment and environmental programs. Examples of Environmental Sciences careers enjoyed by former majors include:
Atmospheric Science:
Weather forecasting, air pollution modeling and management, weather modification, bioclimatology and agricultural management, research consulting in meteorology and climatology.
Geosciences:
Coastal process consulting, engineering geology, land use planning and management, groundwater pollution research and consulting, sedimentary process modeling.
Ecology:
Aquatic ecology and fisheries consulting, forestry and agricultural management, park and recreation planning and management, resource conservation, toxic soil and water pollution research.
Hydrology:
Groundwater management, flood and surface water management and consulting, water pollution research and regulation, water project economics, hydraulic modeling and analysis.
For placement and other purposes, the Department maintains ties with its alumni throughout the world.
Degree Requirements (BA)
The Major
A total of 30 hours of graded coursework in the Department is required, with at least a 2.000 cumulative GPA. Each of the core courses EVSC 2800, 3200, 3600, and 3300, and their associated laboratories EVSC 2801, 3201, 3601, and 3301, must be taken for a total of 16 core credits. For each core class, the lecture and lab must be taken concurrently. An additional 14 hours of EVSC courses are required. Three of these credit hours may be taken below the 3000 level (i.e., at the 1000 or 2000 level; excepting EVSC 2800 and 2801), if they are completed prior to declaration of the major. The remainder must be taken at or above the 300 level.
EVSC 2800+2801 Physical Geology (3) (1)
EVSC 3200+3201 Fundamentals of Ecology (3) (1)
EVSC 3660+3601 Physical Hydrology (3) (1)
EVSC 3300+3301 Atmosphere and Weather (3) (1)
Related Work
The Department also requires related work in math and science. The required related work includes one semester of calculus and two semesters of college-level chemistry, biology, or physics with laboratories. (Note that the two semesters need not be from the same department.) The courses recommended to fulfill this requirement include: MATH 1210 or MATH 1310; and any two of the following: CHEM 1410, CHEM 1420, BIOL 2010, BIOL 2020, PHYS 1610 or PHYS 1620, PHYS 2310 or PHYS 2320 with their labs (note that the appropriate labs in physics are the PHYS 2030 [Basic Physics Lab I] and PHYS 2040 [Basic Physics Lab II] sequence). Calculus is a prerequisite for 3 core courses for the major. Ecology depends on a basic understanding of chemistry and biology. Geosciences, hydrology, and atmospheric sciences depend more on chemistry and physics. Additional skills, recommended but not required, include: Computing (CS 1110); Statistics (STAT 1120).
Completing Core Courses Early
Completing Core Courses By The Fourth Year - The interdisciplinary nature of most of Environmental Sciences’ advanced courses is one of the great strengths and unique features of the major. To take maximum advantage of these interdisciplinary courses, students should complete the 4 core courses by the beginning of their fourth year.
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences
This program is intended for students wishing a more intensive study of environmental sciences with a stronger component of basic science education. It is especially suited for students intending to move directly into a career in the private sector, where a BS is sometimes a requisite for employment. It also provides an excellent base for graduate education in any scientific field related to the environment.
Beginning the Major
Because this is a coursework-intensive program, it is essential that work toward the major be initiated immediately upon entry into the University. Completion of the degree in 8 semesters by individuals who present no advanced placement credits toward the requirements is possible, but challenging. Any individual planning to pursue the BS should contact an advisor before selecting courses to ensure that the appropriate related work is begun on time to permit successful completion of the degree in the 8 semesters allotted by the University for the baccalaureate degree.
Degree Requirements (BS)
The Major
A total of 40 hours of graded coursework in the Department is required, with at least a 2.000 cumulative GPA. Each of the core courses EVSC 2800, 3200, 3600, and 3300 and their associated laboratories EVSC 2801, 3201, 3601, and 3301, must be taken for a total of 16 core credits. An additional 24 hours of EVSC courses are required. Three of these credit hours may be taken below the 3000 level (i.e., at the 1000 or 2000 level), if they are completed prior to declaration of the major. The remainder must be taken at or above the 3000 level.
EVSC 2800+2801 Physical Geology (3) (1)
EVSC 3200+3201 Fundamentals of Ecology (3) (1)
EVSC 3660+3601 Physical Hydrology (3) (1)
EVSC 3300+3301 Atmosphere and Weather (3) (1)
Related Work
The required related work includes MATH 1310 and 1320 and at least one semester from each of the three basic sciences, chemistry, biology, or physics with laboratories. The courses that may be used to fulfill this requirement include the following: CHEM 1410, CHEM 1420, BIOL 2010, BIOL 2020, PHYS 1610 or PHYS 1620, PHYS 2310 or PHYS 2320 with their labs (note that the appropriate labs in physics are the PHYS 2030 [Basic Physics Lab I] and PHYS 2040 [Basic Physics Lab II] sequence). In addition, two more semesters from this sequence must be completed (WITH THE LAB), except that a student may substitute one semester of MATH beyond MATH 1320 for one of the second semester of laboratory science.
Minor in Environmental Sciences
The Environmental Sciences minor is an excellent addition to any liberal arts, preprofessional, or science graduate school-oriented major. Many students interested in legal, business, foreign policy, or other applications in natural resources, in writing and communication involving science, in methods of analysis, or simply in understanding how their natural environment works enjoy the minor. The minor consists of at least 16 hours of Environmental Sciences coursework in a program chosen by the student and approved by the Department. The program must include at least two core courses with labs and one advanced non-core course at the 3000- or greater level. No more than six hours of non-core courses below the 3000- level are counted.
Other General Information
Majors Credit for Courses from Other Departments or Schools
The Department is often asked why we will not count specialized courses such as zoology taken at another school, or courses in environmental planning or economics, as part of our major or minor. The reasons are as follows.
The Department believes that its 4 core courses, the mix of Environmental Sciences electives and the required related work in science and calculus is the minimum preparation needed to be a competitive environmental scientist. In order to be confident that majors have mastered our way of training, we normally require that all courses taken for the major are taught by our faculty. Thus, we are quite rigid about expecting majors to take all of their courses including the cores inside the Department.
Recognizing that the major represents a minimum requirement, we hope that majors will take many more courses in Environmental Sciences. Most of our majors do take work in other areas, and often at other schools here or abroad. If we can determine that these courses are substantively similar to courses taught by our faculty, credit toward the major may be granted. That decision is made on a case by case basis by the Undergraduate Academic Review Committee for each course for each student. Your major is the sum of your experiences as they relate to your interests in environmental sciences. It is this full mix of your experience that you will explain to others in covering letters and interviews at each stage of your career advancement. Your official University of Virginia transcript upon graduation will carry the designation Environmental Sciences Major, but will not identify the courses that counted toward the major. Thus, you define and explain your personal major and the relevant experiences each time you are asked. Your transcript designation of the major only certifies that the Department believed you had taken at least the minimum experience needed to be an Environmental Scientist.
International Exchange Programs
The University of Virginia has formal undergraduate exchange programs with the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England and Lancaster University, Lancaster, England. Both institutions offer a range of courses in environmental sciences recommended by our Department. Because of the formal agreement, the Department will accept a number of these courses into our 30 hour major. Information on both programs is available in the International Studies Resource Library, Minor Hall 216. Be sure to consult your Departmental advisor concerning course selection.
Research Opportunities
The Department encourages all majors to explore opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students on projects. Participating in a research project provides practice in using the tools of various disciplines and helps develop career goals and opportunities. Most research with faculty or graduate students can be rewarded with course credit or wages. Major interdisciplinary research initiatives in the department include the Virginia Coast/Long-Term Ecological Research (VCR/LTER) studies based at the Department’s Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center on Virginias Eastern Shore. Individuals from all disciplines in the department carry out research related to coastal systems through this program. The Shenandoah Watershed Study (SWAS) operates several calibrated watersheds in Shenandoah National Park to investigate controls on biogeochemical cycling. Blandy Experimental Farm and the Orland E. White Arboretum are centers for ecological research near Front Royal, VA., and several faculty and students conduct research there. The Program of Interdisciplinary Research in Contaminant Hydrogeology (PIRCH) is staffed by several department faculty and faculty from other departments. Research on hydrogeology, geochemistry, and micrating in a research project provides practice in using the tools of various disciplines and helps develop career goals and opportunities. Most research with faculty or graduate students can be rewarded with course credit or wages. Major interdisciplinary research initiatives in the department include the Virginia Coast/Long-Term Ecological Research (VCR/LTER) studies based at the Department’s Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center on Virginias Eastern Shore. Individuals from all disciplines in the department carry out research related to coastal systems through this program. The Shenandoah Watershed Study (SWAS) operates several calibrated watersheds in Shenandoah National Park to investigate controls on biogeochemical cycling. Blandy Experimental Farm and the Orland E. White Arboretum are centers for ecological research near Front Royal, VA., and several faculty and students conduct research there. The Program of Interdisciplinary Research in Contaminant Hydrogeology (PIRCH) is staffed by several department faculty and faculty from other departments. Research on hydrogeology, geochemistry, and micrating in a research project provides practice in using the tools of various disciplines and helps develop career goals and opportunities. Most research with faculty or graduate students can be rewarded with course credit or wages. Major interdisciplinary research initiatives in the department include the Virginia Coast/Long-Term Ecological Research (VCR/LTER) studies based at the Department’s Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center on Virginias Eastern Shore. Individuals from all disciplines in the department carry out research related to coastal systems through this program. The Shenandoah Watershed Study (SWAS) operates several calibrated watersheds in Shenandoah National Park to investigate controls on biogeochemical cycling. Blandy Experimental Farm and the Orland E. White Arboretum are centers for ecological research near Front Royal, VA., and several faculty and students conduct research there. The Program of Interdisciplinary Research in Contaminant Hydrogeology (PIRCH) is staffed by several department faculty and faculty from other departments. Research on hydrogeology, geochemistry, and micrating in a research project provides practice in using the tools of various disciplines and helps develop career goals and opportunities. Most research with faculty or graduate students can be rewarded with course credit or wages. Major interdisciplinary research initiatives in the department include the Virginia Coast/Long-Term Ecological Research (VCR/LTER) studies based at the Department’s Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center on Virginias Eastern Shore. Individuals from all disciplines in the department carry out research related to coastal systems through this program. The Shenandoah Watershed Study (SWAS) operates several calibrated watersheds in Shenandoah National Park to investigate controls on biogeochemical cycling. Blandy Experimental Farm and the Orland E. White Arboretum are centers for ecological research near Front Royal, VA., and several faculty and students conduct research there. The Program of Interdisciplinary Research in Contaminant Hydrogeology (PIRCH) is staffed by several department faculty and faculty from other departments. Research on hydrogeology, geochemistry, and microbiology of the subsurface is underway in the laboratory, on the computer, and in the field. Another research focus for faculty and graduate students is the study of Global Environmental Change (GECP), an international research and training program which studies the large-scale dynamics of the earths surface.
As part of its undergraduate research program, the Department participates in the College’s Distinguished Majors Program designed for highly qualified students with an overall GPA of 3.4 or above. The level of research achievement determines the level of distinction a student will receive at the end of the fourth year. It is best to begin this program in the early portion of the third year because the research must generally be complete by early March of the fourth year.
Honors and Awards
The graduating major with the overall highest GPA receives the Department’s Wallace-Poole Award and the most outstanding graduating students in geosciences and ecology receive the Wilbur Nelson and Mahlon Kelly awards, respectively. The Department presents two additional awards for the outstanding graduating students in atmospheric sciences and hydrology.
Facilities
The Department of Environmental Sciences is spread through several adjacent buildings, but the main offices are located in Clark Hall, along with the Science and Engineering Library, on the central grounds of the University. Additional laboratory space is located in Halsey Hall, and teaching laboratories are housed in Kerchof Hall and Maury Hall. Departmental facilities include field vehicles, boats, a machine shop, environmental chambers, analytical chemistry laboratories with extensive instrumentation, greenhouse and insectory facilities, state-of-the-art computers including a computational hydrology laboratory, GIS facility, NAFAX and FAA weather information, and GOES-Tap satellite receiver. Departmental field facilities include the Virginia Forest Research Facility at the Pace/Steger estate, Blandy Experimental Farm (northern Shenandoah Valley), and the Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Activities and Organizations
Environmental Sciences Organization (ESO): This organization schedules activities including academic advising sessions, lectures, career talks, receptions, field trips, and parties. Activities are arranged to enable the student to become better acquainted and to establish good contacts with other undergraduates, graduates and faculty of the Department outside of classroom and office situations.
Majors Seminar (EVSC 4993): This one-credit seminar organized by ESO introduces the University community to issues, research and career opportunities in Environmental Sciences. Recent topics have included park resource protection, estuarine processes, sustainability, managing industrial wastes, environmental law, and graduate schools. Because this course is not graded, it cannot be used to fulfill hour requirements for the BA or BS degrees in Environmental Sciences.
Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE): SGE is the National Earth Sciences Honor Society (originally founded at UVa). Students who have performed well in the area of hydrology and geosciences are eligible for membership in the University’s Beta Kappa chapter. Tom Biggs is the faculty advisor.
Additional Information
The Department encourages anyone with an interest in Environmental Sciences to schedule an appointment with one of the faculty members. A current list of peer major advisors is also available from the faculty. Students should contact:
Patricia Wiberg, Director of Undergraduate Programs
Department of Environmental Sciences
220 Clark Hall, University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 924-7546
e-mail: pw3c@virginia.edu