Program Overview

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Environmental Sciences, BS (L&S)

The Environmental Sciences major satisfies the growing demand among entry-level students for a rigorous, science-based program that promotes critical thinking and emphasizes environmental problem solving in service to society. The program is designed to prepare graduates who will be highly competitive for entry-level positions in nonprofit and private sectors, and for masters programs and doctoral research programs in environmental fields. Possible career paths include environmental monitoring, consulting, education, research, and planning, as well as natural resource management, ecology restoration, remediation, water and air quality assessment, sustainability practices, and more.

How to Get in

• No application required.
• All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare.
• For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers.
• Courses required to get in: None
• GPA requirements to get in: None
• Credits required to get in: None
• Other: None

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below.

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

• Mathematics: Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement.
• Language: Complete the third unit of a language other than English.
• L&S Breadth: Complete:
  • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and
  • 12 credits of Social Science; and
  • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science.
• Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits.
• Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework: Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level.
• Major: Declare and complete at least one major.
• Total Credits: Complete at least 120 credits.
• UW-Madison Experience: Complete both:
  • 30 credits in residence, overall, and
  • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
• Quality of Work:
  • 2.000 in all coursework at UWMadison
  • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UWMadison

Requirements for the Major

Students majoring in Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 58 credits (detailed below). Courses may not double count within the major (unless specifically noted otherwise), but courses counted toward the major requirements may also be used to satisfy a university requirement and/or a college requirement.

Mathematics and Statistics

Complete one of the following:

• MATH 221: Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 (Recommended)
• MATH 171 & MATH 217: Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I and Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II
• MATH 211: Survey of Calculus 1 Complete one of the following:
• STAT 240: Data Science Modeling I
• STAT 324: Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering
• STAT 371: Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences Total Credits: 7-14

Chemistry

General Chemistry (complete one of the following):

• CHEM 103 & CHEM 104: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II
• CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry
• CHEM 115 & CHEM 116: Chemical Principles I and Chemical Principles II Organic Chemistry (complete one of the following):
• CHEM 341: Elementary Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 343: Organic Chemistry I Total Credits: 8-13

Biology

Complete one of the following:

• BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 & BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152: Introductory Biology and Introductory Biology
• BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102: General Botany and Animal Biology and Animal Biology Laboratory
• BIOCORE 381 & BIOCORE 382 & BIOCORE 383 & BIOCORE 384: Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics and Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory and Cellular Biology and Cellular Biology Laboratory Total Credits: 10

Physics

Complete one of the following:

• PHYSICS 207: General Physics (recommended)
• PHYSICS 201: General Physics
• PHYSICS 103: General Physics Total Credits: 4-5

Major Foundation

Complete one of the following:

• GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 106: Environmental Geology
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST/GEOG 230: Soil: Ecosystem and Resource
• SOIL SCI 250: Introduction to Environmental Science Total Credits: 3

Major Core

Complete at least one course and 3 credits from each of the following areas:

Ecology

• AGROECOL 370: Grassland Ecology
• BOTANY 455: The Vegetation of Wisconsin
• BOTANY/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 460: General Ecology (Recommended)
• DY SCI 471: Food Production Systems and Sustainability
• ENTOM 450: Basic and Applied Insect Ecology
• ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473: Plant-Insect Interactions
• ENTOM 490: Biodiversity and Global Change
• ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 510: Ecology of Fishes
• ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 511: Ecology of Fishes Lab
• F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360: Extinction of Species
• F&W ECOL 410: Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology
• F&W ECOL/AN SCI/ZOOLOGY 520: Ornithology
• F&W ECOL/AN SCI/ZOOLOGY 521: Birds of Southern Wisconsin
• F&W ECOL 550: Forest Ecology
• F&W ECOL 551: Forest Ecology Lab
• F&W ECOL/LAND ARC/ZOOLOGY 565: Principles of Landscape Ecology
• LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 361: Wetlands Ecology
• LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 581: Prescribed Fire: Ecology and Implementation
• PLANTSCI 300: Cropping Systems
• PLANTSCI 334: Greenhouse Cultivation
• PLANTSCI 335: Greenhouse Cultivation Lab
• SOIL SCI 323: Soil Biology
• ZOOLOGY 304: Marine Biology
• ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 315: Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
• ZOOLOGY 316: Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources

Physical Environment

• ATM OCN 310: Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG 322: Polar Regions and Their Importance in the Global Environment
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG/GEOSCI 335: Climatic Environments of the Past
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 355: Introduction to Air Quality
• ATM OCN 425: Global Climate Processes
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 520: Bioclimatology
• ATM OCN/PLANTSCI 532: Environmental Biophysics
• BSE 365: Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems
• BSE/ENVIR ST 367: Renewable Energy Systems
• BSE 460: Biorefining: Energy and Products from Renewable Resources
• CIV ENGR 320: Environmental Engineering
• CIV ENGR/G L E 421: Environmental Sustainability Engineering
• CIV ENGR 423: Air Pollution Effects, Measurement and Control
• ENVIR ST/POP HLTH 502: Air Pollution and Human Health
• GEOG/GEOSCI 320: Geomorphology
• GEOG/ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 332: Global Warming: Science and Impacts
• GEOG/BOTANY 338: Environmental Biogeography
• GEOG/GEOSCI 420: Glacial and Pleistocene Geology
• GEOSCI 304: Geobiology
• GEOSCI 551: Paleoceanography
• GEOSCI/G L E 627: Hydrogeology
• GEOSCI/G L E 629: Contaminant Hydrogeology
• POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 471: Introduction to Environmental Health
• SOIL SCI 301: General Soil Science
• SOIL SCI 302: Meet Your Soil: Soil Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324: Soils and Environmental Quality
• SOIL SCI 327: Environmental Monitoring and Soil Characterization
• SOIL SCI 430: Soil Pollution and Human Health
• SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451: Environmental Biogeochemistry
• SOIL SCI 621: Soil and Environmental Chemistry
• SOIL SCI/CIV ENGR/M&ENVTOX 631: Toxicants in the Environment: Sources, Distribution, Fate, & Effects

Geospatial Sciences

• ATM OCN 575: Climatological Analysis
• ENVIR ST/CIV ENGR/LAND ARC 556: Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing
• F&W ECOL 458: Environmental Data Science
• GEOG 370: Introduction to Cartography
• GEOG/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL/G L E/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371: Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing
• GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• GEOSCI/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/G L E 444: Practical Applications of GPS Surveying
• LAND ARC 311: Introduction to Design Frameworks and Spatial Technologies
• LAND ARC 511: Geodesign Methods and Applications
• SOIL SCI 585: Using R for Soil and Environmental Sciences
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST/LAND ARC 695: Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources

Environmental Policy & Social Perspectives

• A A E/ENVIR ST 244: The Environment and the Global Economy
• A A E 246: Climate Change Economics and Policy
• A A E/ECON/ENVIR ST 343: Environmental Economics
• AMER IND/ENVIR ST 306: Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
• AMER IND/ENVIR ST/GEOG 345: Caring for Nature in Native North America
• C&E SOC/F&W ECOL/SOC 248: Environment, Natural Resources, and Society
• C&E SOC/CURRIC/ENVIR ST 405: Education for Sustainable Communities
• C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/GEOG 434: People, Wildlife and Landscapes
• C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/SOC 540: Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability
• C&E SOC/SOC 541: Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice
• ENVIR ST 349: Climate Change Governance
• ENVIR ST/GEOG 439: US Environmental Policy and Regulation
• ENVIR ST/PHILOS 441: Environmental Ethics
• GEOG/URB R PL 305: Introduction to the City
• GEOG/ENVIR ST 339: Environmental Conservation
• GEOG/ENVIR ST/HISTORY 460: American Environmental History
• GEOG/ENVIR ST 537: Culture and Environment
• GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 411: Energy Resources
• LSC 340: Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science
• URB R PL/ECON/ENVIR ST/POLI SCI 449: Government and Natural Resources

Major Electives

Students may consult with their environmental sciences advisor regarding pathways to complete the major electives requirement. Students must complete 12 credits of electives either by:

1. distributing 12 credits across at least three categories;
2. focusing 12 credits in a single category.

Distributed Electives

Students choosing the Distributed Electives path must complete a total of 12 credits of Environmental Sciences Electives from the categories below, including at least one course from each category (Ecology, Physical Environment, Geospatial Sciences).

Ecology

• AGROECOL 370: Grassland Ecology
• BOTANY 455: The Vegetation of Wisconsin
• BOTANY/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 460: General Ecology
• DY SCI 471: Food Production Systems and Sustainability
• ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473: Plant-Insect Interactions
• ENTOM 450: Basic and Applied Insect Ecology
• ENTOM 490: Biodiversity and Global Change
• ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 510: Ecology of Fishes
• ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 511: Ecology of Fishes Lab
• F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360: Extinction of Species
• F&W ECOL 410: Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology
• F&W ECOL/AN SCI/ZOOLOGY 520: Ornithology
• F&W ECOL/AN SCI/ZOOLOGY 521: Birds of Southern Wisconsin
• F&W ECOL 550: Forest Ecology
• F&W ECOL 551: Forest Ecology Lab
• F&W ECOL/LAND ARC/ZOOLOGY 565: Principles of Landscape Ecology
• F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 660: Climate Change Ecology
• LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 361: Wetlands Ecology
• LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 581: Prescribed Fire: Ecology and Implementation
• PLANTSCI 300: Cropping Systems
• PLANTSCI 334: Greenhouse Cultivation
• PLANTSCI 335: Greenhouse Cultivation Lab
• SOIL SCI 323: Soil Biology
• ZOOLOGY 304: Marine Biology
• ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 315: Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
• ZOOLOGY 316: Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
• ZOOLOGY 320: Field Marine Biology

Physical Environment

• ATM OCN 310: Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG 322: Polar Regions and Their Importance in the Global Environment
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG/GEOSCI 335: Climatic Environments of the Past
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 355: Introduction to Air Quality
• ATM OCN 425: Global Climate Processes
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 520: Bioclimatology
• ATM OCN/PLANTSCI 532: Environmental Biophysics
• BSE 365: Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems
• BSE/ENVIR ST 367: Renewable Energy Systems
• BSE 460: Biorefining: Energy and Products from Renewable Resources
• CIV ENGR 311: Hydroscience
• CIV ENGR 320: Environmental Engineering
• CIV ENGR 324: Environmental Engineering Thermodynamics
• CIV ENGR/G L E 421: Environmental Sustainability Engineering
• CIV ENGR 423: Air Pollution Effects, Measurement and Control
• ENVIR ST/POP HLTH 502: Air Pollution and Human Health
• GEOG/GEOSCI 320: Geomorphology
• GEOG/ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 332: Global Warming: Science and Impacts
• GEOG/BOTANY 338: Environmental Biogeography
• GEOG/GEOSCI 420: Glacial and Pleistocene Geology
• GEOSCI 304: Geobiology
• GEOSCI 551: Paleoceanography
• GEOSCI/G L E 627: Hydrogeology
• GEOSCI/G L E 629: Contaminant Hydrogeology
• POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 471: Introduction to Environmental Health
• SOIL SCI 301: General Soil Science
• SOIL SCI 302: Meet Your Soil: Soil Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324: Soils and Environmental Quality
• SOIL SCI 327: Environmental Monitoring and Soil Characterization
• SOIL SCI 430: Soil Pollution and Human Health
• SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451: Environmental Biogeochemistry
• SOIL SCI 621: Soil and Environmental Chemistry
• SOIL SCI/CIV ENGR/M&ENVTOX 631: Toxicants in the Environment: Sources, Distribution, Fate, & Effects

Geospatial Sciences

• ATM OCN 575: Climatological Analysis
• ENVIR ST/CIV ENGR/LAND ARC 556: Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing
• F&W ECOL 458: Environmental Data Science
• GEOG 370: Introduction to Cartography
• GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• GEOG 378: Introduction to Geocomputing
• GEOG 523: Advanced Paleoecology: Species Responses to Past Environmental Change
• GEOG 560: Advanced Quantitative Methods
• GEOG 578: GIS Applications
• GEOG 579: GIS and Spatial Analysis
• GEOSCI/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/G L E 444: Practical Applications of GPS Surveying
• LAND ARC 311: Introduction to Design Frameworks and Spatial Technologies
• LAND ARC 511: Geodesign Methods and Applications
• SOIL SCI 585: Using R for Soil and Environmental Sciences
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST/LAND ARC 695: Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources

Focused Electives

Students choosing the Focused Electives path must complete a total of 12 credits of Environmental Sciences Electives from one of the following categories (Ecology, Physical Environment, Geospatial Sciences, or Environmental Policy & Social Perspectives).

Ecology

• AGROECOL 370: Grassland Ecology
• BOTANY 455: The Vegetation of Wisconsin
• BOTANY/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 460: General Ecology
• DY SCI 471: Food Production Systems and Sustainability
• ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473: Plant-Insect Interactions
• ENTOM 450: Basic and Applied Insect Ecology
• ENTOM 490: Biodiversity and Global Change
• ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 510: Ecology of Fishes
• ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 511: Ecology of Fishes Lab
• F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360: Extinction of Species
• F&W ECOL 410: Silviculture: Applied Forest Ecology
• F&W ECOL/AN SCI/ZOOLOGY 520: Ornithology
• F&W ECOL/AN SCI/ZOOLOGY 521: Birds of Southern Wisconsin
• F&W ECOL 550: Forest Ecology
• F&W ECOL 551: Forest Ecology Lab
• F&W ECOL/LAND ARC/ZOOLOGY 565: Principles of Landscape Ecology
• F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 660: Climate Change Ecology
• LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 361: Wetlands Ecology
• LAND ARC/ENVIR ST 581: Prescribed Fire: Ecology and Implementation
• PLANTSCI 300: Cropping Systems
• PLANTSCI 334: Greenhouse Cultivation
• PLANTSCI 335: Greenhouse Cultivation Lab
• SOIL SCI 323: Soil Biology
• ZOOLOGY 304: Marine Biology
• ZOOLOGY/ENVIR ST 315: Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
• ZOOLOGY 316: Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
• ZOOLOGY 320: Field Marine Biology

Physical Environment

• ATM OCN 310: Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean I
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG 322: Polar Regions and Their Importance in the Global Environment
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST/GEOG/GEOSCI 335: Climatic Environments of the Past
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 355: Introduction to Air Quality
• ATM OCN 425: Global Climate Processes
• ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 520: Bioclimatology
• ATM OCN/PLANTSCI 532: Environmental Biophysics
• BSE 365: Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems
• BSE/ENVIR ST 367: Renewable Energy Systems
• BSE 460: Biorefining: Energy and Products from Renewable Resources
• CIV ENGR 311: Hydroscience
• CIV ENGR 320: Environmental Engineering
• CIV ENGR 324: Environmental Engineering Thermodynamics
• CIV ENGR/G L E 421: Environmental Sustainability Engineering
• CIV ENGR 423: Air Pollution Effects, Measurement and Control
• ENVIR ST/POP HLTH 502: Air Pollution and Human Health
• GEOG/GEOSCI 320: Geomorphology
• GEOG/ATM OCN/ENVIR ST 332: Global Warming: Science and Impacts
• GEOG/BOTANY 338: Environmental Biogeography
• GEOG/GEOSCI 420: Glacial and Pleistocene Geology
• GEOSCI 304: Geobiology
• GEOSCI 551: Paleoceanography
• GEOSCI/G L E 627: Hydrogeology
• GEOSCI/G L E 629: Contaminant Hydrogeology
• POP HLTH/ENVIR ST 471: Introduction to Environmental Health
• SOIL SCI 301: General Soil Science
• SOIL SCI 302: Meet Your Soil: Soil Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324: Soils and Environmental Quality
• SOIL SCI 327: Environmental Monitoring and Soil Characterization
• SOIL SCI 430: Soil Pollution and Human Health
• SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451: Environmental Biogeochemistry
• SOIL SCI 621: Soil and Environmental Chemistry
• SOIL SCI/CIV ENGR/M&ENVTOX 631: Toxicants in the Environment: Sources, Distribution, Fate, & Effects

Geospatial Sciences

• ATM OCN 575: Climatological Analysis
• ENVIR ST/CIV ENGR/LAND ARC 556: Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing
• F&W ECOL 458: Environmental Data Science
• GEOG 370: Introduction to Cartography
• GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• GEOG 378: Introduction to Geocomputing
• GEOG 523: Advanced Paleoecology: Species Responses to Past Environmental Change
• GEOG 560: Advanced Quantitative Methods
• GEOG 578: GIS Applications
• GEOG 579: GIS and Spatial Analysis
• GEOSCI/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/G L E 444: Practical Applications of GPS Surveying
• LAND ARC 311: Introduction to Design Frameworks and Spatial Technologies
• LAND ARC 511: Geodesign Methods and Applications
• SOIL SCI 585: Using R for Soil and Environmental Sciences
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST/LAND ARC 695: Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources

Environmental Policy & Social Perspectives

• A A E/ENVIR ST 244: The Environment and the Global Economy
• A A E 246: Climate Change Economics and Policy
• A A E/ECON/ENVIR ST 343: Environmental Economics
• AMER IND/ENVIR ST 306: Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
• AMER IND/ENVIR ST/GEOG 345: Caring for Nature in Native North America
• C&E SOC/F&W ECOL/SOC 248: Environment, Natural Resources, and Society
• C&E SOC/CURRIC/ENVIR ST 405: Education for Sustainable Communities
• C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/GEOG 434: People, Wildlife and Landscapes
• C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/SOC 540: Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability
• C&E SOC/SOC 541: Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice
• ENVIR ST 349: Climate Change Governance
• ENVIR ST/GEOG 439: US Environmental Policy and Regulation
• ENVIR ST/PHILOS 441: Environmental Ethics
• GEOG/URB R PL 305: Introduction to the City
• GEOG/ENVIR ST 339: Environmental Conservation
• GEOG/ENVIR ST/HISTORY 460: American Environmental History
• GEOG/ENVIR ST 537: Culture and Environment
• GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 411: Energy Resources
• LSC 340: Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science
• URB R PL/ECON/ENVIR ST/POLI SCI 449: Government and Natural Resources

Capstone

• BOTANY/ENVIR ST/F&W ECOL/ZOOLOGY 516: Conservation Biology
• CIV ENGR 515: Hydroclimatology for Water Resources Management
• ENVIR ST/SOIL SCI 575: Assessment of Environmental Impact
• F&W ECOL/A A E 430: Decision Methods for Natural Resource Managers
• LAND ARC 668: Restoration Ecology
• PL PATH 315: Plant Microbiomes
• PLANTSCI 376 & PLANTSCI 378: Tropical Horticultural Systems and Tropical Horticultural Systems International Field Study
• PLANTSCI 510: Senior Capstone Experience
• SOIL SCI 499: Soil Management

Residence & Quality of Work

• 2.000 GPA in all major courses
• 2.000 GPA and 15 credits of upper level major courses taken in residence
• 15 credits in the major taken on the UWMadison campus

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is not available in Environmental Sciences.

University Degree Requirements

• Total Degree: To receive a bachelor's degree from UWMadison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
• Residency: Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UWMadison. "In residence" means on the UWMadison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. In residence credit also includes UWMadison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UWMadison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
• Quality of Work: Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of Environmental Science fundamentals in the context of biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and physics.
2. Demonstrate a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the ecological relationships (material and energetic) between organisms, both as individuals and in groups, and their biotic and abiotic environment. This may include processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms.
3. Demonstrate a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the physical, largely abiotic, conditions (e.g. climate, water, soil, air, noise, greenspace, etc.) of the environment. The physical environment can include natural or managed settings such as urban environments.
4. Demonstrate a quantitative and qualitative understanding of geospatial processes and information as it relates to the environment including how to collect, interpret, and analyze geospatial information regarding the features of the Earth's surface. These technologies may include geographic information systems (GIS), the global positioning system (GPS), digital maps, and satellite based remote sensing.
5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of relationships that focus on the organization and implementation of laws, regulations, and other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues and sustainability and their effect on society. This includes how human behaviors influences, and are also influenced by, the natural environment.
6. Apply skills in critical thinking, problem identification and resolution of a complex environmental issues that require interdisciplinary solutions and team-based work.
7. Articulate the role of environmental science in one or more focused areas of a specific environmental discipline (e.g. geology, soils, atmosphere, water, plants, animals).
8. Demonstrate expertise in organizing and presenting (written and oral) scientific information to both lay and professional audiences.

Four-Year Plan

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.

First Year

• Fall:
  • CHEM 103 or 109: 4 credits
  • MATH 114 or 171: 5 credits
  • Foreign Language: 4 credits
  • Comm A: 3 credits
• Spring:
  • CHEM 104: 5 credits
  • MATH 221 or 217: 5 credits
  • Environmental Sciences Foundation Course: 3 credits
  • Foreign Language: 4 credits

Second Year

• Fall:
  • BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 or BOTANY 130: 5 credits
  • CHEM 341, 343, or 561: 3 credits
  • Social Science Course: 3 credits
  • Humanities/Ethnic Studies Course: 4 credits
  • Literature Course: 3 credits
  • INTER-LS 210: 1 credit
• Spring:
  • BIOLOGY/ZOOLOGY 152 or BIOLOGY 101 & 102: 5 credits
  • STAT 371: 3 credits
  • Elective: 3 credits

Third Year

• Fall:
  • PHYSICS 207, 201, or 103: 5 credits
  • Major Core Course: 3 credits
  • Major Core Course: 3 credits
  • Major Core Course: 3 credits
  • Social Science Course: 3 credits
  • Elective: 2 credits
• Spring:
  • Major Core Course: 3 credits
  • Major Core Course: 4 credits
  • Literature Course: 3 credits
  • Elective: 3 credits

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course: 3 credits
  • Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course: 3 credits
  • Capstone: 3 credits
  • Elective: 3 credits
  • Social Science Course: 3 credits
• Spring:
  • Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course: 3 credits
  • Social Science Course: 3 credits
  • Environmental Sciences Major Elective Course: 4 credits
  • Humanities Course: 3 credits

Total Credits: 120

Advising and Careers

Declare or Cancel This Major

Please follow the process described on the Environmental Sciences website.

Any Letters & Science student interested in the Environmental Sciences major should contact the Undergraduate Academic Advising Manager to set up an appointment to explore or declare the major.

Careers

A major in Environmental Sciences serves as excellent preparation for careers of great diversity, including environmental modeling, agricultural scientist, botanist, ecologist, park ranger, agricultural technician, air and water quality manager, environmental analyst, air pollution analyst, environmental consultant, environmental educator, GIS analyst, project manager, hazardous waste manager, hydrologist, environmental lawyer, soil conservation technician, and natural resource specialist. For more info about careers, please visit our website.

SuccessWorks

SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.

Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.

Contact Information

Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, College of Letters & Science
849 Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences Building
1225 W. Dayton St., Madison, WI 53706

Environmental Sciences Major
envirosci.wisc.edu

Dr. Daniel Vimont, Faculty Advisor in the Major
1123 Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences Building

Dr. Mayra Oyola-Merced, Faculty Diversity Liaison
Sabrina Manero, Undergraduate Academic Advising Manager
803 Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Building

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Faculty and Staff
Directory