Environmental issues continue to be prominent in the lives of everyone. Essentially no place on the planet has escaped perturbation resulting from activities of an ever-growing human population. The challenge is to maintain those attributes of the Earth that make it habitable while at the same time providing for human needs. Science will play an absolutely critical role in enabling technological civilizations to move toward sustainable interactions with the natural world.
Program Summary
The effective environmental scientists must be rigorously educated in one area of science and have a perspective far broader than any single science discipline affords. RPI's Environmental Science degree addresses these challenges with a multifaceted program.
The undergraduate curriculum in environmental science is designed to prepare students for admission to graduate or professional school or to enter the workplace. The following is a sample environmental science curriculum; however, the order in which students take courses is flexible.
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:
- Foundational Science & Mathematics Students will explain core concepts in physics, chemistry, geology, biology, calculus, and statistics to interpret the fundamental processes governing natural systems.
- Depth of Disciplinary Knowledge Students will analyze complex problems in a chosen field of science (geology, biology, chemistry, or computer science) and construct evidence-based arguments about the processes affecting natural systems.
- Earth Systems Understanding Students will compare the interactions among Earth's major systems — oceans, atmosphere, and solid Earth — and explain how natural and human-induced changes alter these systems over time.
- Field Data Collection & Measurement Students will execute field data collection protocols and demonstrate accurate measurement techniques appropriate to environmental science investigations.
- Integrative Problem Solving Students will design solutions to environmental problems by integrating knowledge and methods drawn from across the curriculum.
- Scientific Communication Students will communicate scientific findings to diverse audiences by producing written reports, oral presentations, and data visualizations that clearly convey evidence, methodology, and conclusions.
The undergraduate curriculum in environmental science is designed to prepare students for admission to graduate or professional school or to enter the workplace. The following is a sample environmental science curriculum; however, the order in which students take courses is flexible.
First Year
Fall
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1100 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
or
CHEM 1110 - Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 1125 - Introduction to Environmental Science Credit Hours: 4
- MATH 1010 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 1200 - Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 1200 - Earth’s Surface Processes Credit Hours: 3
- ERTH 1250 - Earth’s Surface Processes Lab Credit Hours: 1
- MATH 1020 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4 2
Second Year
Fall
- ERTH 2160 - Introduction to Geobiology Credit Hours: 4
or
BIOL 1010 + BIOL1015/1016 - Introduction to Biology and Lab Credit Hours: 4
- CHEM 2250 - Organic Chemistry I + LAB Credit Hours: 4
or
ERTH 4540 - Organic Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 2210 - Field Methods Credit Hours: 4
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- ADMN 1030 - ARCH Exploration & Planning Credit Hours: 0
- IENV 1910 - Environmental Seminar Credit Hours: 2
- Track Course or Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 2200 - Environmental Data Analysis Credit Hours: 4
- PHYS 1100 - Physics I (M) Credit Hours: 4
or
PHYS 1110 - Physics I (S) Credit Hours: 4
Third Year
Fall
- ERTH 4190 - Environmental Measurements Credit Hours: 4
- Track course or Free Elective Credit Hours: 8
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- ERTH 4500 - Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, and Future Credit Hours: 4
- Track course or Free Elective Credit Hours: 8
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
Fall or Spring
- ILEA 4400 - Independent Learning Experience Credit Hours: 0
Fourth Year
Fall
- Track Course or Free Elective Credit Hours: 8
- HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
- BIOL 4880-Global Environmental Change Credit Hours: 4
Spring
- BIOL 4850 - Principles of Ecology Credit Hours: 4
- ERTH 4750 - Geographic Information Systems in the Sciences Credit Hours: 4
- Track Course and Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
- Intensive Environmental Experience Credit Hours: 4
The environmental science degree program requires one track. There are five tracks — Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Geoinformatics, and Sustainability — that explore environmental applications of traditional scientific disciplines. The Geoinformatics track specifically addresses the increasing role of high volumes of complex data acquired from a variety of sources both in-situ and remotely sensed. Geoinformatics combines relevant computer science knowledge and skills with geotemporal and geospatial analysis and modeling, curation of geo-databases, information system design and development, human-computer interaction including visualization, use of modern cyberinfrastructure and networking technologies. Choose five courses from within one track.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Geoinformatics
- Sustainability
Minor in Environmental Science
A minor in Environmental Science will consist of at least 16 credit hours, eight of which must be at the 4000 level. Interested students should consult with the Director of Environmental Science to develop an appropriate list of courses.
Minor in Geology
Students not majoring in geology may take a minor by completing at least 16 credit hours of Earth classes, eight of which should be at the 4000 level. ERTH-1030 and 1040 (Natural Sciences) do not count towards the minor.
Minor in Hydrogeology
Students not majoring in hydrogeology may take a minor by taking ERTH-4710 , ERTH-4180, and electing from the ERTH group at least two additional courses except for ERTH-1030 and ERTH-1040.
Minor in Astrobiology
The Earth and Environmental Sciences Department participates in a multidisciplinary minor in astrobiology for students majoring in geology or other disciplines. To complete this minor, students must take a minimum of 16 credits of course work in this field. These courses include ASTR-4510 and ISCI-4500, four credits each, and two semesters of the one-credit course ISCI-4510. A further two courses outside the major field of study are also required.
Students pursuing a dual major in Environmental Science and Biology, Chemistry, or Geology must choose a different track for their Environmental Science degree. Students with a Sustainability HASS Integrative Pathway and Sustainability track can dual major in Environmental Science and Sustainability.
In consultation with the adviser and with the approval of the director of the Environmental Science Program, students must select and engage in an intensive activity related to the field of Environmental Science. This culminating experience will be associated with earning 3 to 4 academic credits in a URP project, Independent Study or Readings, or Out of Classroom Experience (e.g., as a co-op or intern). To fulfill this requirement, students must document the experience and obtain prior approval from the Environmental Science Faculty Director.
