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BS(Hons) Environmental Science

Western Washington University, United States
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Course Overview

The BS(Hons) Environmental Science program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the natural world and the impact of human activities on the environment. The program covers a wide range of topics, including ecology, conservation biology, environmental policy, and sustainability. Students in this program will gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and research projects, as well as develop valuable skills in data analysis and interpretation. Upon completion of the program, students will be well-prepared to pursue careers in environmental science or related fields.

Additional Information

The BS(Hons) Environmental Science program is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and is recognized as a leader in environmental science education. The program has a strong reputation for producing well-rounded graduates who are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental challenges.

Discover the Natural Beauty and Sustainable Spirit of Western Washington University

Western Washington University is an ideal location for students interested in environmental science, as it is situated in the beautiful Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The university's proximity to the ocean, mountains, and forests provides ample opportunities for fieldwork and research, as well as exposure to a diverse range of ecosystems. Additionally, the university has a strong commitment to sustainability, with numerous initiatives in place to reduce its environmental footprint.

Why You Should Study This Course

Environmental Science draws on basic knowledge of the physical, chemical, biological and quantitative aspects of natural systems. The knowledge of how natural systems work is applied to solving problems largely created by human activities. Often these problems are represented by disturbances in the functioning of natural systems. Humans are altering their own life-support systems – the air, the water and soil. The scale of disturbance ranges from the molecular and cellular to individuals, populations, ecosystems, and regional and global levels.

The Environmental Science major will acquire the scientific and problem solving skills needed to conserve and restore the natural environment. Students of Environmental Science will go directly into an environmental science career or on to graduate school to further their study.

Students wishing to complete an Environmental Science major in four years should complete the general chemistry series during their freshman year and the general biology series during their sophomore year. Prospective environmental science majors are strongly advised to take additional preparatory courses that provide a strong background in chemistry, biology and mathematics. The preparatory courses are listed with the major; preparatory classes may also be used to fulfill GURs. All preparatory courses required for admission should be completed on a lettered or numeric grading scale, not P/NP, and must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Are you excited by how natural systems work? Do you want to solve the problems of the natural environment caused by human activities? Do you love to work outdoors? Do you love the sciences and scientific inquiry? Then Environmental Science is for you.

General Eligibility

Academic Requirements for freshman students:

The admission requirements for undergraduate courses are given as follows:

  • Completed application form

  • Academic Transcripts(certified english translations if necessary)

  • Relevant High school degree/Grade Report/Certificates

  • SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.0

  • Personal Statement or essay

  • One letter of recommendation

  • List of extracurricular activities(if any)

  • Portfolio

What You'll Study

1 Electives

Under advisement (11-32 credits) in order to fulfill the total major requirements of 65 credits:

  • A minimum of 11 credits from:

       ESCI 300- or 400-level

    Additional electives, if needed from:

       BIOL 300- or 400-level

       CHEM 300- or 400-level

       ENRG 300- or 400-level

       GEOL 300- or 400-level

       ENVS 300- or 400-level

       MACS 300- or 400-level

       MATH 300- or 400-level

    FAIR 330E - Ethnobotany Credits: 5

    FAIR 434P - Advanced Studies in Field Science Credits: 5-8

    MATH 125 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II Credits: 5

    MATH 203 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations I Credits: 4

    MATH 204 - Elementary Linear Algebra Credits: 4

    MATH 205 - Linear Algebra Workshop Credits: 1

    MATH 224 - Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I Credits: 5

    MATH 225 - Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II Credits: 4

    MATH 226 - Limits and Infinite Series Credits: 4

    Maximum three courses allowed from:

    PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II Credits: 5

    PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III Credits: 5

    PHYS 220 - Physics with Calculus IV Credits: 4

    PHYS 300- or 400-level

2 Major

❑ Choose either:

CHEM 251 - Elementary Organic Chemistry Credits: 5

or the following series:

CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry Credits: 4

CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry Credits: 4

CHEM 354 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 3

❑ Choose one from:

ESCI 325 - Fundamentals of Ecology Credits: 3

BIOL 325 - Ecology Credits: 4

❑ Choose one from:

ESCI 340 - Biostatistical Analysis Credits: 5

BIOL 340 - Biostatistics Credits: 5

❑ Choose one Capstone class from list below:

ESCI 431 - Watershed Biogeochemistry Credits: 5

ESCI 454 - Science, Management and Outreach of Contaminated Sites Credits: 4

ESCI 470 - Ecological Restoration Credits: 5

ESCI 490 - Environmental Risk Assessment Credits: 4

ESCI 491 - Oceanography of the Salish Sea Credits: 4

ESCI 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment Credits: 5

or ENVS 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment Credits: 5

or UEPP 493 - Environmental Impact Assessment Credits: 5

ESCI 494 - Marine Conservation Credits: 5

ENVS 410 - Agroecology and Resilient Communities Credits: 4

or UEPP 410 - Agroecology and Resilient Communities Credits: 4

ENVS 417 - Science, Management and Outreach of Contaminated Sites Credits: 3

ENVS 429 - Pyrogeography Credits: 4

ENVS 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management Credits: 4

or C/AM 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management Credits: 4

ENVS 466 - Greening Business Applications Credits: 5

or MGMT 466 - Greening Business Applications Credits: 5

ENVS 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities Credits: 4

or UEPP 474 - Planning for Sustainable Communities Credits: 4

ENVS 491 - Environmental Communication Credits: 5

ENVS 496 - Environmental Stewardship Credits: 5

Or other ENVS, ESCI or UEPP approved course with a capstone (CPST) attribute.

❑ Choose one from (minimum of 5 credits; maximum of 10 credits):

ESCI 498A - Senior Thesis Credits: 1-15

ESCI 498B - Internship Credits: 1-15

ESCI 498C - Senior Project Credits: 1-15

ESCI 498D - International Study Credits: 1-15

❑ One ENVS 300-level or 400-level course (minimum 3 credits)

❑ Choose two lab/lecture options from the list below. Options include a combined lecture/lab course or two separate courses with one being a lecture and the other being a lab, which together count as one option. Note: ESCI 431 can be applied towards either your capstone or one of your lab/lecture requirements, but not both.

ESCI 361 - Water Quality Credits: 5

ESCI 404 - Indigenous Resource Management in the Salish Sea Credits: 5

MANY MORE..........

3 Preparatory Courses

❑ BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab Credits: 5

❑ BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab Credits: 5

❑ BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology w/lab Credits: 5

❑ CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 5

❑ CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II Credits: 5

❑ CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III Credits: 5

❑ MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I Credits: 5

❑ PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I Credits: 5

❑ Choose one from:

  • ENVS 203 - Physical Geography Credits: 4

  • GEOL 211 - Physical Geology Credits: 5

Language Requirement

  • IELTS6.5
  • TOEFL93
  • PTE65
  • Duolingo89

Minimun IELTS Score 6.5 overall.

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