Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2017)  

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses Required courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Environmental Science majors have most gen eds completed by courses within the program, with the exception of two: AL or AT (literature or art) and HS (history), along with the Diversity (U & G) courses. It is helpful if first year course selection includes Gen Ed courses covering these categories.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Required Courses:

  • BIOLOGY 151 and 152, Intro. Biology I and II, plus lab: BIOLOGY 153;Students must earn a “C” or better in BIOLOGY 151 to take BIOLOGY 152
  • MATH 104 or 127 (determined by score on Math Placement Exam)
  • ENVIRSCI 101 Intro. Environmental Biology or NRC 100 Environment & Society (Fall)
  • ENVIRSCI 191A and 194A Introductory Seminar I and II (Fall & Spring respectively)
  • ENGLWRIT 112 (College Writing)
  • GEOLOGY 101
  • Additional Required Courses: CHEM 111 & 112; PHYSICS 131; MATH 128; RES-ECON 212 or STATISTC 240

Students should complete a biological science sequence in their first year. Instead, some students start with CHEM 111 - 112 and complete the biology sequence in their second year. Those who score below a 20 on the Math Placement Test are advised to start with the appropriate pre-calculus course before taking CHEM 111 or MATH 127. Ultimately, all majors are required to take MATH 127 and 128.A minimum grade of “C-” in the prerequisite chemistry course(s) is required for enrollment in every chemistry course

How to Declare the Major

See Chief Undergraduate Advisor during freshman or sophomore yearto declare.

Transfer Students:

Should complete Environmental Science required math/science foundation courses, core requirements and prerequisite courses. Students must meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor as early as possible to prepare a plan of study.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required for the major: Approximately 74 (depending on course selection)

Students should obtain a current list of upper-level courses from the Environmental Science Program Office.

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
Yes. Students should select three of the following core courses: ENVIRSCI 101 (or NRC 100 but not both); ENVIRSCI 213; ENVIRSCI 214; ENVIRSCI 315; and/or RES-ECON 262.

In addition, they must select two upper-level courses from among a wide range of related environmental courses offered across campus. Students should obtain a current list of these upper-level courses from the Environmental Science Program Office. Fifteen credits are required for the minor.

For further information, contact:
Dr. Deborah Henson
Chief Undergraduate Advisor
310 Holdsworth; 545-5226
dhenson@eco.umass.edu