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Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences

Math, Science, and Technology

Undergraduate Symposium

The Undergraduate Student Symposium, sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, presents student projects and performances through oral presentations, paper submissions, and poster displays.

Description

Students who wish to major in environmental science/studies must select one of two degree tracks. The program is designed so students will share a common set of courses in their freshman year to ensure that all students gain an overview of the subject. Upon entering their sophomore year, students will be required to select a specific program of study. Both programs are designed to be completed within a four-year period. A practicum/internship in the eighth semester is required of all students.

Track One: Environmental Science

An earth systems foundation providing comprehensive knowledge of Earth's physical, chemical, and biotic systems. Students may qualify to enroll in a dual admission program with NSU's Oceanographic Center to earn a master's degree in marine environmental science and should refer to the Dual Admission Program section of this catalog for further information and admission requirements.

Track Two: Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies track emphasizes both science and society. It is a program with an emphasis on social issues and how humanity impacts the environment. This track examines the applied side of environmental science and, specifically, incorporates five “studies” areas: sustainability, marine biology, ecotourism, public health, and natural history.

In both tracks, students must complete an internship of 6 credits and a 3-credit Special Topics field course.

The environmental science/studies major is offered during the day and evening on NSU’s main campus.

Learning Outcomes

A successful environmental sciences/studies graduate is expected to:

  1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the scientific method so as to identify, evaluate, and recommend solutions to environmental problems;
  2. Communicate concisely and clearly through public speaking, the publishing of written articles, the construction and maintenance of a Web site, and photographic documentation either through photography or videography;
  3. Formulate strategies to maximize the responsible use of technology as it applies to issues within environmental science;
  4. Identify legal issues relating to environmental science;
  5. Apply concepts of environmental science to lifetime vocational aspirations;
  6. Demonstrate a behavior of environmental awareness and interest in environmental issues of South Florida;
  7. Apply knowledge from the fields of biology, botany, and physical sciences to environmental science;
  8. Identify the principles of environmental ethics;
  9. Identify concepts relating to the future of environmentalism.

Curriculum Requirements

General Education Requirements (30 credits)

Students are required to complete 30 credit hours as part of the General Education Program.

Environmental Science/Studies Major Requirements (56 or 52 credits)

Core Courses (24 credits)
ENVS 1100 Environmental Science I (3 credits)
ENVS 1200 Environmental Science II (3 credits)
ENVS 3100 Environmental Issues (3 credits)
ENVS 4300 Industrial Ecology (3 credits)
GEOG 2050 Survey of Geography (3 credits)
GEOG 2260 Geography of Natural Resources (3 credits)
LGST 3350 Environmental Law and Policy (3 credits)
PHIL 3360 Environmental Ethics (3 credits)

Field Course Elective (3 credits)
Select 3 credits from the following courses:
GEOG 2900 Special Topics in Geography (1–3 credits)
GEOG 3010 Amazonia Cloud Forest Biogeography (3 credits)
GEOG 4900 Advanced Special Topics in Geography (1–3 credits)

Practicum (6 credits)
ENVS 4950 Internship in Environmental Science/Study (two 8 week/3 credit units)

Major Tracks (23 or 19 credits)
Select one of the following tracks:

Track One: Environmental Science (23 credits)
BIOL 3200 General Ecology/Lab (4 credits)
BIOL 3400 Microbiology/Lab (4 credits)
CHEM 1300 General Chemistry I/Lab (4 credits)
CHEM 1310 General Chemistry II/Lab (4 credits)
CHEM 2200 Essentials of Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
CHEM 2600 Environmental Chemistry (3 credits)
ENVS 3170 Everglades Ecology and Conversation (3 credits)

Track Two: Environmental Studies (19 credits)
BIOL 1100 Concepts and Connections in Biology (3 credits) OR BIOL 1400 Introduction to Cellular Biology (3 credits)
BIOL 2250 The Natural History of John U. Lloyd Beach State Park (3 credits)
CHEM 1500 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (3 credits)
ENVS 3101 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
ENVS 3170 Everglades Ecology and Conversation (3 credits)
GEOG 3000 Geography of Ecotourism (3 credits)
MBIO 2410 Marine Biology and Lab (4 credits)

Internships

Internships in the environmental science/studies program are designed to be capstone educational experiences matched to students' interests. They are also opportunities for students to network with environmental science professionals in Florida and around the world.

Internships include, but are not limited to:

  • Local, state, and federal parks and wildlife agencies
  • Local, state, and federal environmental laboratories
  • Wildlife/nature/travel photography organizations
  • Ecotourism organizations
  • Environmental law offices
  • The United Nations
  • Ministries of tourism in Latin American/Caribbean countries
  • Non-profit environmental organizations
  • Urban/regional planning groups
  • Amusement/recreation/wildlife parks
  • Cruise ships
  • Oceanography/marine biology organizations
  • Travel/tour operators

Field Programs

Three things make the NSU program unique:

  1. Choice of Tracks. A clear choice to concentrate in analytical sciences to become an environmental technician or the qualitative aspects to focus on ecotourism and sustainability.
  2. Field Studies. The Earth is our laboratory. All majors are encouraged to learn how to travel, cope in different cultures, and use foreign experiences as a basis of learning.
  3. Internships. Internships allow students to develop career strategies, gain practical field experience, and create networks for employment opportunities.

Choice of Tracks

The philosophy of a modern environmental science curriculum must be to broadly educate students in the relevant environmental sciences of biology, chemistry, ecology, geology and physics and put this information into a general context through the examination of ethical, legal, cultural, historical, and other social questions. The program's first year introduces the wide range of disciplines. During the rest of the program - second through fourth years - students will specialize in either environmental science or environmental studies:

• The environmental science track teaches students how the natural sciences influence the human environment. Students take coursework in environmental science, as well as laboratory courses in biology, physical chemistry, microbiology, and organic chemistry.

• The environmental studies track focuses on the role of society and culture in shaping the human environment. Students take course work in ecotourism, public health, environmental chemistry, and field biology.

Field Studies

International issues are examined through a comprehensive set of field programs that take students to Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica. Field studies include:

  • Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio Park
  • Ecuador's Amazonia Cloud Forest
  • Summer field programs in China, Africa, and India

The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the 2009-2010 edition of the NSU Undergraduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university, unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.