ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental Science is a broad field involving the study of the effects of industrialization and other manmade disturbances on the biological, chemical and geological aspects of the environment. The environmental movement is now more than 30 years old, and while much has been accomplished, much remains to be done to obtain and maintain a clean and healthy environment through the twenty-first century. Environmental work has become increasingly technical in recent years and to be successful, the student of environmental science must understand diverse scientific and technical areas of environmental science.

Career Opportunities
The degree in Environmental Science at USP will prepare students, through an interdisciplinary approach, for entry-level positions in private industry and in governmental agencies where problems dealing with environmental issues are addressed. Graduates of the program will also be well prepared to pursue further academic training in environmental planning, environmental law, environmental management, and environmental sciences.

Environmental Science at USP
Most of the science courses for environmental science are taught by current faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Faculty expertise includes the areas of environmental biology, environmental toxicology, environmental microbiology, ecology, aquatic biology, analytical methods, and environmental health. Courses in environmental law, risk assessment and geology will be taught by practicing experts in industry and governmental agencies.

All of the faculty involved with the interdisciplinary environmental science degree are actively involved in research in which current undergraduate students participate. Students in the new environmental science program will be encouraged to undertake independent research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. All students will have an environmentally related summer internship or job between the third and fourth year.

Environmental Sciences Curriculum

First Year

• Biological Sciences Orientation
• Introductory Biology I and II
• General Chemistry I and II
• Math Analysis I and II
• College Composition
• Introduction to Literature
• Physical Education I and II
  

Second Year

• Biological Sciences Colloquium
• Organic Chemistry I and II
• Introductory Physics I and II
• Basics of Microbiology
• Intellectual Heritage I and II
• Social Science Requirements
• Comparative Animal Physiology or Environmental Biology
  

Third Year

• Environmental Microbiology
• Environmental Geology
• Comparative Animal Physiology or Environmental Biology
• Genetics
• Molecular Structure in Biochemistry
• Intermediary Metabolic Biochemistry
• Analytical Methods in Toxicology and Clinical Chemistry
• Biostatistics
• Introduction to Communication
• Electives
• Core Distrubution Requirements
  

Fourth Year

• Biology Seminar
• Aquatic Biology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Principles of Environmental Assessment
• Environmental Law
• Ecology
• Core and other Electives
• Core Distrubution Requirement