Environmental Science

About this Composite Major

The Environmental  Science  program  prepares  students to enter the job force in an environmental-related field, or to further their education in graduate school. This major integrates courses from all of the major fields of science - geology, biology, chemistry, and physics—so it is well-suited for those who are interested in environmental issues, as well as students who enjoy all subjects in science, but prefer not to focus on one specific area.

Many of the courses in the Environmental Science major at VCSU involve frequent field trips to provide hands-on experience. Faculty also encourage students to participate in research projects or internships during the school year and the summer. The Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) program provides competitive research stipends, and several faculty members in the Science Department also have access to grants to fund student work. Faculty actively help students to search for and apply for internships and jobs with local environmental companies and state and federal agencies. Additionally, guest lecturers from agencies frequently visit classes to discuss employment opportunities.

Meet a Student

-	VCSU graduate Michaela Halvorson stands near a lake in North Dakota.

“I went on a trip to the Boundary Waters with my professor for an archaeological dig. While there, I was able to put my soils and geology knowledge to use. My classroom experience has been phenomenal. Environmental Science is such as well-rounded discipline that our teachers really utilize that aspect. We are able to talk about the biology, chemistry, ecology, economics, philosophy, politics and so much more!” —Michaela Halvorson, Milnor, N.D.

Career Opportunities

Of the jobs posted in the field of environmental science last year in the upper Midwest, 79% of them required a Bachelor’s degree. Last year there were 73,391 jobs in this field posted.

Graduates of the program will gain the education and experiences necessary to work in a wide variety of well-paying fields, including environmental consulting, natural resource management, the energy industry, public health, and many others. Have a voice in the arena on current issues such as governmental policies, climate change, or economics with your Environmental Science degree.

Career opportunities include:

  • Forest or Conservation Technician
  • Environmental Regulatory Technician
  • Health, Safety and Environment Specialist
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Park Ranger
  • Environmental Planner/Scientist
  • Environmental Engineering Technician
  • Sustainability Specialist
  • Environmental Compliance Specialist
  • Compliance Officer/Analyst

Get Involved in your Major

Students on a field trip to Colorado explore different landscapes and environments
  • Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Club
  • Pre-Professional Club

Practical Experience

The  Rhoades Science Center includes a greenhouse for work in biology and botany, a planetarium, and laboratories for earth science, biology, fisheries and wildlife, chemistry, and physics.  Students have access to fully equipped Aquatic Macroinvertebrate and Biomedical Research laboratories, Prairie Waters Education and Research Center, the dam and reservoir at Lake Ashtabula, the Valley City National Fish Hatchery, weather stations, a river gauge station along the Sheyenne River, and two pontoon boats and a 20-foot sampling boat for biology and fisheries field trips. 

Technology and Research

Technology used by students in this major include:

  • Global Information System (GIS) training
  • Handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
  • Multiparameter water quality sonde
  • Illuminometer

In addition, VCSU faculty have connections with area agencies, allowing students to work as interns or other research associates for various agencies. Some of these agencies include:

  • North Dakota Department of Health
  • USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
  • North Dakota Fish and Game Department
  • USFWS Wetland Management District
  • Soil Conservation District
  • North Dakota State Extension Service
  • North Dakota Parks and Recreation

Contact Information

Department Chair 

Dr. Nicholas Galt, nicholas.galt@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7459

Faculty Contact

Dr. Michelle Abshire, michelle.abshire@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7455

Department Location

Rhoades Science Center 203, (701) 845-7452

General Education Requirements 

English Composition
Select one of the following:6
College Composition I
College Composition II 1
Introduction to Professional Writing
or
College Composition II 1
Introduction to Professional Writing
College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:3
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:3
College Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Precalculus
Mathematics in Society
Calculus I
Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following:8
Concepts of Biology
General Biology I 2
General Biology II
General Zoology
Introductory Chemistry
Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
General Chemistry I 2
General Chemistry II
Introduction to Earth Science
The Earth Through Time
Concepts of Physics
Introductory Astronomy
College Physics I
College Physics II
University Physics I
University Physics II
Cognition and Brain Science
Technology, Engineering, and Design
Wellness
Select one of the following:2
Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to Computer Information Systems
Introduction to Programming
Introduction to Programming in Java
Introduction to Structured Programming I
Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:3
Oral Interpretation
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Film
Mythology
World Literature I
World Literature II
American Literature I
American Literature II
Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
Ethics and Philosophy of Science
1st Year Spanish I
1st Year Spanish II
2nd Year Spanish I
2nd Year Spanish II
Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to the Visual Arts
Introduction to Digital Media
Art History I
Art History II
History of Craft
Fine Arts and Aesthetics
Music Appreciation
Music Fundamentals
World Music
History of Rock and Roll
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Understanding Media and Social Change
Human Communication
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Human Geography
United States to 1877
United States to Present
World Civilizations to 1500
World Civilizations since 1500
Environmental History
Native American Studies
American National Government
State and Local Government
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:2
Two-Dimensional Design
Drawing I
Ceramics I
Photography I
Survey of Geography
Group Piano for Non-Majors
Group Piano for Non-Majors
Valkyries
Concert Choir
Athletic Band
Concert Band
Planetarium Science
Theatre Practicum
Total Credits39
1

 Required ENGL 125 Introduction to Professional Writing

2

 Required

Major Requirements

BIOL 151General Biology II4
BIOL 350Environmental Contaminants3
BIOL 360Environmental Law and Regulations3
BIOL 440Biostatistics and Experimental Design4
BIOL 455Introduction to GIS4
BIOL 491Integrated Science Capstone2
CHEM 122General Chemistry II5
GEOL 100Introduction to Earth Science4
GEOL 300Environmental Earth Science4
GEOL 315Soil Science and Survey4
GEOL 416Hydrology4
MATH 165Calculus I4
PHYS 211College Physics I4
Directed Electives
Select sixteen hours from the following:16
Environmental History
Microbiology
Botany
Conservation Biology
Field Ecology
Restoration and Plant Ecology
Human Dimensions in Fisheries and Wildlife
Limnology
Quantitative Analysis I
Quantitative Analysis II
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Technical and Scientific Writing
Human Geography
The Earth Through Time
College Physics II
Total Credits65

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 65 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 121 (Gen Ed)5BIOL 1514
GEOL 1004CHEM 1225
MATH 107 (Gen Ed)3Elective3
UNIV 1501ENGL 125 (Gen Ed)3
English Composition (Gen Ed)3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 150 (Gen Ed)4Directed Elective4
GEOL 3154GEOL 3004
PHYS 1614HPER 100 (Gen Ed)2
Social Science (Gen Ed)3MATH 1463
 Speech Communication (Gen Ed)3
 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 3754Art and Music (Gen Ed)3
Directed Elective4BIOL 3603
Literacies (Gen Ed)3BIOL 4404
Computer Science and Literacy (Gen Ed)3Elective3
 Social Science (Gen Ed)3
 14 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)2BIOL 4554
BIOL 4912Directed Elective 4
Directed Elective4Elective 4
Elective4GEOL 4164
 12 16
Total Credits 120

Please note:  This plan is intended for general information only.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the Environmental Science Program the student should be able to:
1.  Understand the natural environment and its relationship with human activities
2.  Exhibit critical thinking skills by applying the scientific method to solve problems
3.  Exhibit the ability to read and communicate in a scientific style
4.  Understand how to implement scientific research strategies, such as collecting, managing, and interpreting data.