Learning Goals:

• Students will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of the Earth's interdependent systems;
• Students will develop an understanding of the impact of humans on these systems;
• Students will be able to use the scientific process to analyze environmental problems;
• Students will be able to work as part of a team and to communicate with a variety of audiences.
• Students will be environmentally literate citizens capable of using scientific approaches to effect constructive social change.

Assessment Criteria:

Knowledge

• Students will have an understanding of major concepts in the following areas of environmental science: the interdependence of Earth's systems (geosphere, atmosphere, biosphere), energy flow and the cycling of matter; human population dynamics and Earth's carrying capacity; renewable and non-renewable resources; environmental quality; global changes and their consequences; the environment, society and choices for the future.
• Students will have an understanding of pertinent major concepts in the disciplines underlying environmental science.
• Students will understand the philosophy of the scientific process and be able to distinguish science from pseudo-science.
• Students will be aware of the interconnectedness of the sciences and their importance in the critical analysis of environmental problems and potential solutions.
• Students will have broad awareness of the physical environment, species, and ecosystems of Maine and the environmental problems faced by those natural systems.

Skills

• Students will be able to apply the scientific method and carry out a scientific study or critically analyze the work of others. They will be able to make systematic observations to detect patterns and relationships, develop hypotheses and make predictions.
• Students will be able to design experiments to test hypotheses, critically evaluate results and draw conclusions.
• Students will be able to apply quantitative and statistical analyses to scientific problems.
• Students will be able to use technology for environmental science research and communication inclusive of equipment used in the field/laboratory; computer-based data acquisition and analysis hardware and software; computer-based literature searching.
• Students will be able to engage in scientific writing and oral communication/ presentation of environmental issues and research.
• Students will be able to work collaboratively in teams and to interact with the public, business, government and non-profit sectors of society.

Attitude

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

COMPONENTS OF THE MAJOR (17 courses; 68 credits)

A. Required FOUNDATION courses in the Natural Sciences

B. One of the following two courses in STATISTICS

C. Five advanced CORE ELECTIVE courses in environmental science

Criteria for CORE ELECTIVES is as follows:

• Does a large portion of the course (>1/4) explicitly apply natural science principles and methods to environmental issues?
• Is much of the course devoted to the analysis of complex natural systems that is directly applicable and essential to environmental science and issues?
• Is much of the course devoted to methods that are essential for environmental science practitioners?

Where appropriate, Core Electives are cross-listed as ENV courses.

D. Three additional courses from either SUPPORTING ELECTIVE (below) or CORE ELECTIVE courses (above)

 E. One course in SOCIAL SCIENCE in environmental studies from the following list:

Students are encouraged to take additional courses in disciplines other than Natural Sciences related to environmental science.  Examples: HEA 210 Environmental Health, GEO 325 Geography of Health and Disease, GEO 340 Land Use, ENG 277 Nature Writing: A Field Course, and ENG 272H American Texts and Contexts (when it’s taught with an environmental focus).

F. Students must select one of the following courses designated as capstones (which will also count in the requirements listed above):

Total Credits for the Major: 68

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
One year of one foreign language at the college level or two years of one foreign language at the high school level.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128