Getting Started

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2019)  

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses.  More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses.  Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses Required courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements.  Guidelines for students are available at www.umass.edu/gened.  Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Students in Environmental Science will have most General Education Requirements completed by courses required by the major, with the exception of two: AL or AT (literature or art) and HS (history), along with the Diversity (DU & DG) courses. All students must complete a DU or DG course in their first year on campus.

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 The Earth (available both fall and spring)
  • 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. However, 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/Change into the Major

For current & admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major.  Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting. 

Students are encouraged to meet with the Chief Undergraduate Advisor during freshman or sophomore year to declare/change.

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

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more. 

There is a 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 - A minor is available!  Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

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