Program Overview

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Environmental Science/Global Strategic Communication (BS/MS)

The new Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) program allows SES students to earn their undergraduate degree in their declared major, while also earning a master's degree from the SOC in either the Digital Media and Storytelling or Global Strategic Communication graduate programs.

Overview

The program trains environmental scientists to be better communicators. While environmental scientists are trained to investigate, analyze data, and interpret results, they are not taught how to communicate their results and conclusions in ways that are readily accessible to the general public, CEOs, or legislators. For students in the School of Environmental Sustainability, the ABM program will help them with writing, public speaking, conference presentations, television and radio interviews, and social media messaging.

Related Programs

• Combined: Environmental Policy/Global Strategic Communication (BA/MS)

Curriculum

Environmental Science students complete coursework that includes both a heavy dose of basic science requirements and courses spanning a variety of disciplines pertinent to understanding the context in which environmental challenges reside.

BS Requirements

• Core Curriculum
  • BIOL 101 & BIOL 111: General Biology I and General Biology I Lab (4 hours)
  • BIOL 102 & BIOL 112: General Biology II and General Biology II Lab (4 hours)
  • CHEM 160: Chemical Structure and Properties (3 hours)
  • CHEM 161: Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory (1 hour)
  • ENVS 137: Foundations of Environmental Science I (3 hours)
  • ENVS 200: Environmental Careers and Professional Skills (1 hour)
  • ENVS 203: Environmental Statistics (3 hours)
  • ENVS 274: Chemistry of the Natural Environment (3 hours)
  • ENVS 275: Chemistry of the Environment Lab (1 hour)
  • ENVS 276: Chemistry of Environmental Pollution (3 hours)
  • ENVS 280: Principles of Ecology (3 hours)
  • ENVS 286S: Principles of Ecology Lab (1 hour)
  • PLSC 392: Environmental Politics (3 hours)
• Justice and Ethics Choice: Select one of the following (3 hours)
  • ENVS 284: Environmental Justice
  • PHIL 287: Environmental Ethics
  • THEO 204: Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis
• Economics Choice
  • ENVS 335: Ecological Economics (3 hours)
  • or ECON 328: Environmental Economics
• Engaged Learning Choice: Select one of the following (3 hours)
  • ENVS 226: Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems
  • ENVS 267: Bird Conservation and Ecology
  • ENVS 273: Energy and the Environment
  • ENVS 283: Environmental Sustainability
  • ENVS 340: Natural History of Belize
  • ENVS 345: Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems
  • ENVS 350A: Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water
  • ENVS 350C: Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action
  • ENVS 350F: Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems
  • ENVS 369: Field Ornithology
  • ENVS 391: Environmental Research (with SES approval)
  • ENVS 395: Environmental Internship (with SES approval)
• Capstone Choice: Select one of the following (3 hours)
  • ENVS 390: Integrative Seminar
  • ENVS 391C: Independent Environmental Research (Capstone)
  • ENVS 395C: Environmental Internship (Capstone)
• Concentrations and Electives (21-24 hours)

MS Requirements

• COMM 401: Foundations of Global Strategic Communication (3 hours)
• COMM 402: Organizational Leadership and Change Management (3 hours)
• COMM 403: Strategic Communication Research Methods (3 hours)
• COMM 411: Strategic Communication Ethics and Law (3 hours)
• COMM 413: Writing for Strategic Communication (3 hours)
• COMM 421: Topics in Global Strategic Communication (3 hours)
• COMM 431: Campaign for Social Impact (3 hours)
• COMM 441: Global Strategic Communication Capstone (3 hours)
• Four (4) Electives from List of Electives for GSC (12 hours)

Concentration Requirements and Elective Course Options

Environmental Science (Without Concentration)

• Electives
  • One (1) course in Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives (3 hours)
  • One (1) course in Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives (3 hours)
  • Five (5) courses in Environmental Science Electives, at least three (3) of which must be at 300-level (15 hours)
• Total Hours: 21

Environmental Science: Conservation and Restoration Ecology Concentration

• Required Courses
  • ENVS 218: Biodiversity & Biogeography (3 hours)
  • ENVS 320: Conservation Biology (3 hours)
  • ENVS 321: Conservation Biology Lab (1 hour)
  • ENVS 330: Restoration Ecology (3 hours)
  • ENVS 331: Restoration Ecology Lab (1 hour)
  • ENVS 383: Human Dimensions of Conservation (3 hours)
• Electives
  • One (1) course in Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives (3 hours)
  • One (1) course in Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives (3 hours)
  • One (1) course in Environmental Science Electives (3 hours)
• Total Hours: 23

Environmental Science: Environmental Health Concentration

• Required Courses
  • ENVS 300: Introduction to Public Health (3 hours)
  • ENVS 301: Environmental Health (3 hours)
  • ENVS 303: Introduction to Epidemiology (3 hours)
• Electives
  • One (1) course in Environmental Health and Society Electives (3 hours)
  • Four (4) courses in Environmental Science Electives (12 hours)
• Total Hours: 24

Environmental Science: Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration

• Required Courses
  • ENVS 207: Plants and Civilization (3 hours)
  • ENVS 223: Soil Ecology (3 hours)
  • ENVS 325: Sustainable Agriculture (3 hours)
  • Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Required Choice: Select one of the following (3 hours)
    • ENVS 230: Feeding the Planet: Global Perspectives on Sustainability, Culture and Food
    • ENVS 326: Agroecosystems
    • ENVS 327: Food Systems Analysis
    • ENVS 350F: Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems
• Electives
  • One (1) course in Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives (3 hours)
  • One (1) course in Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives (3 hours)
  • One (1) course in Environmental Science Electives (3 hours)
• Total Hours: 21

Electives

Society, Ethics, and Justice Electives

• List of courses (3 hours)

Policy, Economics, and Resource Management Electives

• List of courses (3 hours)

Environmental Science Electives

• List of courses (variable hours)

Environmental Health and Society Elective (Environmental Health only)

• List of courses (3 hours)

Electives for Global Strategic Communications

• List of courses (variable hours)

Suggested Sequence of Courses

A suggested sequence of courses is provided to help students complete the program in a timely manner.

Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Programs

Terms

• Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
• Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as shared credits.

Admission Requirements

• Declared appropriate undergraduate major
• By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours
• A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements
• Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's program may apply to the master's program through the regular admissions process

Curriculum

• Level and progression of courses: The Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students.
• Shared credits: Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Graduation

• Degrees are awarded sequentially.
• All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute.
• Once in the graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the graduate program.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the physical, biological, and chemical structure and function of ecosystems.
• Examine the causes and consequences of environmental change at local to global scales.
• Apply scientific knowledge to evaluate policy, management, and other solutions that aim to enhance environmental sustainability.
• Create an action plan for leading a professional and personal life that promotes environmental sustainability.
• Create and implement strategic communication campaigns that combine advertising, public relations and integrated marketing communication, and are responsive to community needs and organizational goals in local and global contexts.
• Write copy and design messages to reach diverse publics and for distribution through multiple channels, including both traditional and digital media.
• Understand the implications and applications of integrated strategies for digital media in marketing, advertising and public relations practices.
• Apply appropriate research methods to plan, monitor and evaluate public relations, advertising and other communication campaigns and activities.
• Practice ethical communication in professional practices that are socially responsible and in the mutual interests of the organization and the community.
• Demonstrate the competencies to work as a professional in advertising or public relations.
• Articulate the foundational principles of natural and social sciences and humanities essential to solving environmental problems.
• Critically evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information relating to environmental topics.
• Employ knowledge and skills to design and implement solutions that contribute to a just and sustainable world.
• Exemplify the values of environmental and social justice through actions to care for our common home and one another.

SES Shared Learning Outcomes

All SES majors share the following Program Learning Objectives, in addition to their unique major-specific Program Learning Objectives:

1. Articulate the foundational principles of natural and social sciences and humanities essential to solving environmental problems.
2. Critically evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information relating to environmental topics.
3. Employ knowledge and skills to design and implement solutions that contribute to a just and sustainable world.
4. Exemplify the values of environmental and social justice through actions to care for our common home and one another.