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2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science, B.I.S.

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Faculty Coordinator: Rebekah Chapman, rchapman@gsu.edu

The BIS in Environmental Science program provides a foundation in the physical and life sciences, policy, and global and urban sustainability issues. This concentration emphasizes a broad-based course of study, exposing students to the complex social and scientific processes involved in understanding and addressing environmental issues. Students are encouraged to develop specific areas of focus depending on their future goals (e.g., graduate school, government agencies, and environmental consulting firms).

Program Admission

Students may enroll in a concentration upon admission to Georgia State University. Students who wish to change their major to this degree program should select a concentration in consultation with their academic advisor and the faculty coordinator. A 2.0 Georgia State University GPA is required.

Students who enroll in a concentration will be required to submit a course plan checklist to demonstrate their understanding of the degree requirements. It is highly recommended that students develop a course of study with their specific faculty coordinator before taking coursework in the degree program to avoid taking courses that will not count towards graduation.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Arts students should also consult regularly with the faculty program coordinator for the specific program regarding course selection, program plans, experiential learning, and other academic opportunities.

Program Degree Requirements

Please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies, B.I.S. for academic regulations for this program.

Students must complete coursework in at least three disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area G and in at least two disciplines in Area H. Areas G and H should be constructed so that students take courses in distinct disciplines in each area (with some overlap expected); that is, the same prefix should not predominate in both Area G and H.

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College Degree Requirements) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation).

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in Areas G and H to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This program offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the program director for the specific criteria for this honor.

Degree Requirements

Please refer to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies  of this catalog for academic regulations for this program.

Students must complete coursework in at least three disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area G and in at least two disciplines in Area H. Areas G and H should be constructed so that students take courses in distinct disciplines in each area (with some overlap expected); that is, the same prefix should not predominate in both Area G and H.

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College Degree Requirements ) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation ).

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in Areas G and H to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement  for additional information.)

Area A

Recommended:

Area C

Recommended:

  • World language at the 1002 level or higher 3 Hours

Area D

Recommended courses (either of the following sequences):

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major (18 Hours)

Please discuss Area F selections with program coordinator or your academic advisor, as many of the options below are prerequisites for upper-level courses.

  • All courses above ending in K may also be offered as separate lecture and lab (L) courses. The combined (K) courses and separate lecture and lab (L) courses cover the same subject matter and are equivalent courses.
  • Any credit hours exceeding 18 earned to complete the Area F requirements will count toward elective hours.

Required Courses (If Not Taken in Area D):

Select one geosciences lab sequence from the following options (8 Hours)
Select one biology lab sequence from the following options (8 Hours)

Select additional courses from the list below to complete 18 hours in Area F

(Please discuss these choices with your academic advisor to be certain you are taking the prerequisites necessary for Areas G and H.)

Area G: Area of Concentration - Foundations of Environmental Science and Sustainability (27-34 Hours)

Students must complete coursework in at least three disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area G. Some of the Area G courses listed below are also in Area H. They may only count in one place.

Required of all BIS Environmental Science Majors (9-10 Hours)

Geosciences. Select one course
Public Management and Policy. Select one course
Recommended option
Additional options
Biology. Select one course

CTW Course (3-4 Hours)

Students must take one CTW course appropriate to the program.
Recommended options
Additional options

Research Methods/Spatial Analysis (3-4 Hours)

Recommended options
Additional options

Select additional courses from the list below to complete 27 hours in Area G

Elective Courses at Large (0-8 Hours)

  • Additional courses may be taken from areas 1-4 to bring total hours to 27-34.

Area H: Allied Field - Environmental Science in Context (15-21 Hours)

Choose one area of concentration from the options below and select the courses that fit your career goals. If courses have been taken to fulfill Area G, they cannot also count in Area H. Students may combine courses to create their own area of focus with the approval of the faculty program coordinator and the college BIS director. Students must complete coursework in at least two disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area H. Students may also complete 15 or more hours towards a minor in Geosciences, Anthropology, Biology, or other approved field in lieu of selecting an allied field in Area H.

Courses with multiple prerequisites are indicated with an asterisk (*). Please consult with the faculty program coordinator regarding alternative prerequisites or prerequisite waivers. These are not always possible.

Sustainability Focus

Natural and Cultural Resources Management

Urban Ecology/Sustainable Development

Global Environmental Issues

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Conservation Biology

Environment and the Media

Sustainable Food Sources/Urban Gardens

Area I: Electives

Electives are used to build the hours in Areas G-I to 60 hours, have 39 hours at Georgia State University taken at the 3000-4000 level for residency, and complete 120 hours required for graduation.

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This program offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the program director for the specific criteria for this honor.

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