Program Overview

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Environmental Science Bachelor of Science Degree

Overview

The Environmental Science program at RIT is an interdisciplinary degree that combines a love for nature with cutting-edge research to create a sustainable future for our planet. Students will learn problem-solving skills based in science, mathematics, the social sciences, and other disciplines to address environmental challenges.

Careers and Experiential Learning

• Typical Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
  • Animal Care Assistant
  • Environmental Consultant
  • GIS Analyst
  • Wetland Scientist
• Industries:
  • Environmental Services
  • Forestry
  • Natural Resources
  • Scientific and Technical Consulting
• Cooperative Education:
  • Co-op is optional for students in the environmental science degree.
  • Students have found cooperative education opportunities with local, state, or federal government agencies, nonprofit environmental organizations, and environmental consulting firms.

Curriculum

First Year

• BIOL-123: Introduction to Biology: Organisms and Ecosystems
• BIOL-124: Introduction to Biology: Molecules and Cells
• BIOL-125: Introduction to Biology Laboratory: Organisms and Ecosystems
• BIOL-126: Introduction to Biology Laboratory: Molecules and Cells
• ENVS-101: Concepts of Environmental Science
• ENVS-102: Environmental Concepts Lab
• ENVS-111: Soil Science
• MATH-161: Applied Calculus
• YOPS-10: RIT 365: RIT Connections
• General Education – Artistic Perspective
• General Education – Global Perspective
• General Education – First-Year Writing (WI)

Second Year

• BIOL-240: General Ecology (WI-PR)
• CHMG-141: General & Analytical Chemistry I
• CHMG-142: General & Analytical Chemistry II
• CHMG-145: General & Analytical Chemistry I Lab
• CHMG-146: General & Analytical Chemistry II Lab
• ENVS-250: Applications of Geographic Information Systems
• ENVS-301: Environmental Science Field Skills
• ENVS-499: Environmental Science Co-op (summer)
• STSO-220: Environment and Society
• Choose one of the following:
  • STSO-421: Environmental Policy
  • STSO-422: Great Lakes
  • PUBL-210: Introduction to Qualitative Policy Analysis
• General Education – Ethical Perspective
• Open Elective

Third Year

• BIOL-575: Conservation Biology
• CHMO-231: Organic Chemistry I
• CHMO-235: Organic Chemistry Lab I
• Choose one of the following:
  • ENVS-540: Ecological Models in Geographic Information Systems
  • ENVS-550: Hydrologic Applications of Geographic Information Systems
• STAT-145: Introduction to Statistics I
• STAT-146: Introduction to Statistics II
• Concentration Courses
• General Education – Social Perspective
• General Education – Immersion 1
• Open Elective

Fourth Year

• ENVS-500: Experiential Learning Requirement in Environmental Science
• ENVS-551: Environmental Science Capstone Seminar I
• ENVS-552: Environmental Science Capstone Seminar II (WI-PR)
• IMGS-431: Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing
• Concentration Courses
• Open Electives
• General Education – Immersion 2, 3

Concentrations

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Ecology and Field Biology
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Organismal Biology and Evolution
• Public Policy
• Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
• Statistics

Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees

• Environmental Science, BS/MS degree
• Environmental Science, BS/Science, Technology and Public Policy, MS degree

Admissions and Financial Aid

• First-Year Admission:
  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of social studies and/or history
  • 3 years of mathematics (algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry)
  • 2-3 years of science (biology and chemistry)
• Transfer Admission:
  • College algebra
  • Chemistry and biology
• Financial Aid and Scholarships:
  • 100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.

Faculty

• Christy Tyler
• Karl Korfmacher
• Carmody McCalley
• Elizabeth Hane
• Paul Shipman

Research

• Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged and strengthens preparation for graduate study or employment.
• Students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research experience under the guidance of faculty mentors.

Facilities

• Genomics Enterprise Center