ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
College ... Arts and Sciences
Academic Award ... Bachelor of Science
Credits Required ... 125 semester credits
Coordinator ... Eric Steinkamp
The major in environmental science is designed for individuals who intend to scientifically study, develop, and implement tools for building a better world. Studies include remediation for environmental problems of our modern and developing world and technologies that provide high production of vegetable, fruit, and animal matter for the purpose of providing human nutritional essentials in an ecologically sustainable manner. These activities will be based on a biblical understanding that stewardship of the earth and the poor is the best basis for caring for the environment. The environment is best studied in the field with hands-on courses often held at different ecological sites.
Purpose and Philosophy
Stewardship, knowledge and servant hood are essential to the Northwest University Environmental Science major. We firmly believe the Earth and all its creatures embody the majesty of God’s ingenious powers. We believe that humanity, by God’s ordaining power, is placed here to serve as stewards. Stewardship includes living sustainably and caring for our neighbors at home and abroad. The scientific laws and principles that govern this natural world represent God’s continued and sustaining presence and therefore these laws can and should be discovered and understood by students and faculty. This knowledge enhances human understanding of the Creator and provides us with the tools to carry out our stewardship responsibilities. We strive to provide a unique approach to a major in Environmental Science through the integration of science and theology. The interplay between scientific experiment and theory is balanced with growth in understanding and human imagination. We emphasize the joining of faculty and students in studying the wonders of nature in order to develop an inquisitive mind combined with rigorous reasoning and hands-on field experiences. Stewardship and servant hood displace materialism and human power as the primary goals of graduates committed to making our world environmentally sustainable.
The student will:
be able to apply the scientific method to research problems in the environmental sciences;
be able to effectively use appropriate technology in the study of environmental science;
participate in cross-cultural experiences;
develop a scientifically and theologically informed worldview of environmental stewardship and communicate that through writing;
develop scholarly skills for research, writing, and presentation in environmental science.
Course Sequence
The sequential nature of many of the required science courses mandates that students pay close attention to course numbering and course prerequisites, and be in conference with a science department advisor. Chemistry, mathematics and the General Education requirements are foundational and often prerequisite or corequisite to other courses. Additionally, some of the courses are offered in alternating years. The student is strongly encouraged to confer with the science advisor in the choice of elective courses that can strengthen the educational experience. All these factors emphasize the importance of close student - science advisor
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE – MAJOR
CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS --- 43
Bible and Theology ... 12
BIBL 1103 Old Testament History and Literature ...3
BIBL 1203 New Testament History and Literature ...3
THEO 1213 Christian Thought ...3
THEO 2323 Jesus the Messiah ...3
Written and Verbal Communications ... 9
ENGL 1013 Composition I: Expository Writing ...3
ENGL 1023 Composition II: Rhetoric and Research Writing...3
COMM 1213 Fundamentals of Speech Communication ...3
Humanities ... 3
3 credits in this area must be from Writing Practice courses* (see course descriptions for applicability) 3 additional credits selected from the following ...3
Art (ARTE), Bible (BIBL), Drama (DRAM), English (ENGL), History (HIST), Language (LANG), Music (MUSI), or Theology (THEO) Social Sciences ... 6
6 credits in this area must be from Writing Practice courses* (see course descriptions for applicability) Select a minimum of two disciplines from the following: Business Administration (BUSM), Communication (except COMM 1213), Economics, Education (EDUC), Geography (GEOG), Health & Fitness (PEDU), Management (BMGT), Marketing (BMKT), Philosophy (PHIL), Political Science (PSCI), Psychology (PSYC), or Sociology/Anthropology (SOCI) Formation and Calling ... 5
UCOR 1043 Faith in Society ...3
UCOR 1052 Identity and Vocation ...2
UCOR 4791 Faith Integration ... *** *** Content met in SCIE 3332 – Integration and Development Core Electives ... 8
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
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MAJOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS --- 74-76
PHASE I: Foundations ... 19
MATH 2003 Introduction to Statistics ...3
SCIE 1203/1 Survey of Chemistry I w/lab ...4
SCIE 1213/1 Survey of Chemistry II w/Lab ...4
SCIE 2053/1 General Biology I w/lab...4
SCIE 2063/1 General Biology II w/lab ...4
Upon satisfactory completion of Phase I courses the student must be formally admitted to the Environmental Science major to continue. PHASE II: Environmental Science Requirements... 31-32 SCIE 2403/1 Environmental Science w/lab ...4
SCIE 3233 GIS in Natural Resources ...3
SCIE 3253 Environmental Chemistry ...3
SCIE 4153/1 Ecology w/lab ...4
SCIE 4243 Environmental Land Use Planning ...3
SCIE 4263 Environmental Law and Literature ...3
SCIE 4413/1 Resource Management w/lab ...4
SCIE xxxx Science Electives ... 7-8 PHASE II: Major Tracks ... 20-21 (Choose one of the following tracks) Natural Science Track ... 20
Environmental Policy Track ... 21
PHASE III: Integration and Application... 4
SCIE 3332 Integration and Development ...2
SCIE 4432 Scientific Cross-cultural Experience ...2
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
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TRACKS
NATURAL SCIENCE TRACK --- 20
Select from the following: SCIE 1283/1 Physics I w/lab ...4
SCIE 1293/1 Physics II w/lab ...4
SCIE 1303/1 Geology w/lab...4
SCIE 3104 Microbiology w/lab ...4
SCIE 3113/1 General Botany w/lab ...4
SCIE 3313/1 Invertebrates w/lab ...4
SCIE 3323/1 Vertebrates w/lab ...4
SCIE 3712 Sustainable Technologies I ...2
SCIE 3722 Sustainable Technologies II ...2
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TRACK--- 21
Select from the following in consultation with the academic advisor: BUSM 2553 Survey of Economics ...3
BUSM 3393 Business and Politics ...3
COMM 3013 Introduction to Public Relations ...3
COMM 3563 Conflict Resolution ...3
LEGL 3603 Law and Judicial Process ...3
LEGL 3643 Legislative Process ...3
PHIL 2703 Ethics ...3
PHIL 2753 Introduction to Philosophy ...3
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
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MINOR
College ... Arts and Sciences
Academic Award ... Minor
Credits Required ... 20 semester credits
Coordinator ... Eric Steinkamp
Many courses in the sciences have prerequisites. These can be met by careful attention when selecting General Education Science and Math courses. Specific prerequisites for this minor include:
MATH 2003 Introduction to Statistics SCIE 1203/1 Survey of Chemistry I w/lab
MINOR REQUIREMENTS --- 20
SCIE 1213/1 Survey of Chemistry II w/lab ...4
SCIE 2403/1 Environmental Science w/lab ...4
SCIE 4153/1 Ecology w/lab (or suitable alternate) ...4
Environmental Science Electives ...8
Select remaining credits from environmental science electives:
SCIE 3104 Microbiology w/lab SCIE 3712 Sustainable Technologies SCIE Study Program Electives
There are offerings available from such sites as Latin American Studies Program Tropical Ecology, Jaguar Creek Tropical Ecology, and the AuSable Institute for Environmental Studies. Students are required to travel to one or more of these sites for most of these courses. Typical offerings available: Tropical Rain forest; Tropical Marine ecosystems; Natural History (various areas); Ecotheology; Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development; Plant Ecology; Land Resources; Ecological Agriculture; etc.
